The Oswego Canal (from Cycling Along The Canals of New York State.)
The Oswego Canal is very important in the history of New York State canals. As an extension of the original Erie Canal to Lake Ontario, this was one of the first feeder canals to be built. Construction of the first Oswego Canal began on July 4, 1826, which marked the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. This was exactly nine years after construction began on the Erie Canal.
The original Oswego Canal alignment went north, beginning just west of the Weighlock Building, along the west side of North Salina Street. There are some old canal ruins along this stretch, but it is a busy industrial area and not worth exploring. Follow North Salina Street, Park Street, and Old Liverpool Road into Onondaga Lake County Park. Alternatively, you might want to base yourself at the park and pick up the bike trail from there.
Syracuse is known as the Salt City. The Salt Museum, located on the shore of Onondaga Lake in the park, was constructed from timbers taken from actual salt warehouses. There are barrels, kettles, and other equipment that were used to turn brine (salt water) into salt for the nation.
Enter Onondaga Lake Park and follow the trail along the east shore of Onondaga Lake. This popular recreation path is on top of the old Oswego Canal bed. There are some segments of separated bike path within the park and work is underway to complete a loop entirely circling Onondaga Lake. The first important canal site to see is Mud Lock, which is at the very northeastern-most point in Onondaga Lake Park, where the outflow of Onondaga Lake joins the Seneca River. Mud Lock, which gets its name from the unstable soil on which it was constructed, was build of wood in 1828. The present lock, incorporating features from 1862 and 1887 canal enlargements, was renovated during the Depression. Unlike most old locks, where only stonework remains, Mud Lock has significant portions of wooden lock gates and gate hardware. This makes it easier to understand the ingenuity of canal builders and makes this particular lock especially historic. Mud Lock is adjacent to the Seneca River which is now the route of the Erie Barge Canal.
Mud Lock is the best preserved of all the old Oswego Canal locks.
From Mud Lock, you will have to bike on local roads north through Three Rivers. Take Long Branch Road to CR 57 (Oswego Road). You will cross NY 31 (Bike “5”). CR 57 can be abusy roadway so ride carefully. It is roughly six miles from downtown Syracuse to Mud Lock and another eight miles to Three Rivers.
At Three Rivers, you will enter Oswego County. Here, the historic Oneida Outlet Canal connected the original Oswego Canal through Oneida Lake to the old Erie Canal near Oneida. Today, the Oneida River is the route of the Erie Barge Canal. Cross over the Oneida River (Erie Barge Canal) and continue north to Phoenix following the Oswego River Road. Phoenix is the site of Lock 1 on the Oswego Barge Canal. Phoenix, like the other small towns and cities along the Oswego, is working to redevelop its canal heritage. Lock 1 offers some history to see, a nice park site, a bascule lift bridge, and the largest of the dams along the entire Oswego River. It is about two and one-half miles from Three Rivers to Phoenix.
Pleasure boats using Lock 1 in Phoenix.