Irene: Eastern stretch of Erie Canal to remain closed

PHOTOGRAPHER: The Associated Press

A 100-mile stretch of the Erie Canal will remain closed indefinitely because of severe damage to the waterway caused by recent flooding.

How to help

There are many ways to help the people, schools and organizations hurt by the floods. Here are some links and ideas:

“Project Hope”
American Red Cross
Capital Regionâs Online Farmersâ Market
Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York
Catholic Charities
Salvation Army
TimeShareVolunteers
Comprehensive roundup
To donate to the Schoharie or Middleburgh libraries, leave donations at the Open Door Bookstore in Schenectady, Market Block Books or the Book House in Colonie.

The state Canal Corporation says today that the Erie Canal from Lock 2 at Waterford to Lock 22 near the eastern shore of Oneida Lake is closed to all vessels until further notice. Canal officials say crews are assessing the damage and an estimate on when the waterway may reopen won’t be available until next week at the earliest.

Several canal locks and other structures in the Mohawk Valley were damaged by flooding from Tropical Storm Irene in late August and again last week by remnants of Tropical Storm Lee.

The stretch of the Champlain Canal in the Hudson River between Waterford and Mechanicville remains closed. The canal north of Mechanicville has reopened.