The Welland Canal is for those up bound or down bound on the Great Lakes whose MHH (bridge clearance height) will not allow them to transit the western portion of the Erie Canal (15.5’) or for those crews who are really in a hurry. The Welland Canal via Lake Ontario and Lake Erie offers the only other reasonable alternative.
The Welland is part of the St. Lawrence Seaway and unlike the New York State Canal System, it is a major shipping canal designed for large ships. Located in Canada, the Welland Canal runs from Port Weller (on Lake Ontario) to Port Colborne (on Lake Erie.)
You should keep in mind, this is not the tranquil ride of the Erie Canal. While the Welland Canal should not be avoided because of it's reputation, remember though, that it will require some added patience and attention.
Pleasure craft using the Welland are second in line behind commercial shipping. The canal"s main purpose is to provide passage to large ships. To quote the Seaway Handbook - "The transit of pleasure craft shall be scheduled by the traffic controller or the officer in charge of a lock and may be delayed so as to avoid interference with other ships."
Navigation Season
The Welland Canal closes in winter when ice or weather conditions become a hazard to navigation and shipping and reopens in spring.
Length
The Welland Canal is 27 miles (43.5 km) long and runs on a generally North / South axis.
Locks
The canal consists of 8 locks, 7 being 766 feet (233.5 m) long and 80 feet (24.4 m) wide. Lock #8 has a usable length of 1,148 feet (349.9 m) and a width of 80 feet (24.4 m). The maximum vessel length allowed to transit the locks is 740 feet (225.5 m). The total lift over the entire canal is 326.5 feet (99.5 m) from it northern end at Port Weller to its southern end at Port Colborne. The first 7 locks are in the first 8 miles of the canal from the Port Weller end. The lifts of these first 7 locks range between 43 and 49 feet. Lock 8 is a guard or control lock near the southern end of the canal at Port Colborne. Lock 8 typically has a lift of just a few feet and serves to pass vessels from the canal to the prevailing water level of Lake Erie.
Welland Canal - Locks and Distances Table |
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| *This table reflects an up bound passage from Port Weller to Port Colborne. | ||||||||
| Lock # | Type | Lift | Next Lock | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Ontario - Port Weller | --- | --- | #1 / 1.58 Miles | |||||
| #1 | Single | 46’ |
#2 / 1.54 Miles | |||||
| #2 | Single | 46’ |
#3 / 2.35 Miles | |||||
| #3 | Single | 46’ |
#4 / 1.13 Miles | |||||
| #4 | Double | 49’ |
#5 / 0.14 Miles | |||||
| #5 | Double | 49’ |
#6 / 0.16 Miles | |||||
| #6 | Double | 43’ |
#7 / 0.50 Miles | |||||
| #7 | Single | 46’ |
#8 / 13.69 Miles | |||||
| #8 | Guard | 2’ - 11’ |
Lake Erie / 2.36 Miles | |||||
Welland Canal - Lock Mooring Table |
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| *This is the recommended mooring arrangement, but is subject to change at the direction of Canal Control. | ||||||||
| Lock # | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 | #7 | #8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upbound | Stbd | Stbd | Port | Port | Port | Port | Port | Stbd |
| Downbound | Port | Port | Stbd | Port | Port | Port | Stbd | Port |
Channel Depths
Controlling depth in the canal is 27’ with a maximum permissible draft of 26’.
Bridge Clearances
The minimum vertical clearance available is 116.5 feet (35.5 m).
Communications
The following VHF channels have been assigned to this station for controlling movement of vessels in the Welland Canal and its approaches:
- VHF-FM channel 14 - For communication with Canal Control.
- VHF-FM channel 17* - For up bound shipping.
- VHF-FM channel 66A* - For down bound shipping.
*Or as directed by Canal Control. All vessels must also continue to monitor channel 14
Speed Limits
For all vessels, 6 knots over the bottom, except in the Welland By-Pass Channel from Port Robinson to Rameys Bend, maximum speed 8 knots over the bottom.
Transit Times
Transit times for the Welland Canal vary, but not by much. You should allow yourself 11 hours to make the passage.
Crew
Crew requirements for passage on the Welland Canal are dependent on the direction of travel. Vessels upbound require a minimum of 3 crew members and vessels downbound require a minimum of 2 crew members.
To Welland or not to Welland
In our scenario, we are on a voyage from NYC to Buffalo and need to decide whether to continue along the Erie Canal or divert and make use of the Welland Canal.
Decision Points:- Cost
- Crew
- Speed
- Weather
- Distance
- Operating Day
- Mast Head Height
Mast Head Height
The first and simplest decision point you should address should be your Mast Head Height. If your MHH is greater than 15.5 feet, the decision is made for you. You will have to divert at Three River Junction and make use of the Welland Canal via Lake Ontario.
Crew Requirements
This is another decision that is somewhat made for you. Upbound pleasure vessels on the Welland Canal are required to have (3) crew members aboard to transit. Downbound vessels are only required to have (2) crew members. If you require additional crew for the transit, the canal authority can help with names of some locals. Expect to pay around $150.00 for the hired crew.
Boat Speed
The western end of the Erie Canal is pretty much restricted to a 10 mph speed limit. The Welland Canal's speed limit for the most part is 6 knots. The difference being, by using Lake Ontario and the Welland Canal you have 137 miles of unrestricted speed available to you compared to 26 miles when using the Erie Canal.
Weather
The weather on Lake Ontario during the summer months is generally fair with a southwesterly and westerly wind component at an average of 16 knots and wave heights of less than 1’ occurring about 50% of the time. Chances are good that you will have favorable weather for the passage, but always get a weather report prior to making your decision.
Operating Day
The operating day is restricted to 15 hours on the Erie Canal, while you have the ability to run 24 hour days when using the Welland via Lake Ontario.
Distance
Three River Junction on the Erie Canal to Buffalo, the distance is the same (190 nm), whichever route you choose. If you are bound for the western end of Lake Erie or the upper Great Lakes, you will save approximately 18 miles by using the Welland.
Cost
Since you have reached Three River Junction, then you have already paid for your transit of the New York State Canal System. If you are forced or simply choose to use the Welland Canal, the tariff for transit is $200.00.
Decisions, Decisions....
Which is the best route?
Time:From Three River Junction to Buffalo:
- Via the Erie Canal @ 10 knots will require approximately 25 hours.
- Via the Welland Canal @ 25 knots (presuming of course you can cruise at this speed) will require approximately 22.5 hours.
The time savings in using the Welland is 2.5 hours.
Cost:- Via the Erie Canal - no additional cost above the NYSCS fee you have already paid.
- Via the Welland Canal -
- $200.00 to transit the Welland Canal.
- $150.00 for additional crew (if required.)
- Cost of additional fuel burn at cruising speed.
So, which is the best route? -- If you are in a position that you can choose which route that you prefer, the Welland Canal has the potential to provide some time savings. It will also require more money to be budgeted for your trip.
Your the Captain, Your Decision!
Notice to Mariners
The latest navigational information can be found at Welland Canal System Notice to Mariners. Anyone planning to transit the canal system should check these notices for last minute information on closures and restrictions.
Recommended Publications
Seaway Handbook (2008) - DownloadSeaway Pleasure Craft Guide - Download
