Become a Volunteer Steward!
Are you a paddler? Do you love trails? Care about your community?
Become a Water Trail Steward and join this impressive effort to take care of all 450 miles of the NYS Canalway Water Trail. Together, we can ensure the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Champlain, and Oswego canals are beautiful for all to enjoy.
Thanks for your interest! New steward applications are now closed for the 2026 season. If you are interested in participating next year, please scroll down to learn more about what's involved. Registration will open again in January 2027.
WHO
Individuals, families, community groups, and organizations. Volunteers must be at least 12 years old (with adult supervision).
WHAT
Adopt a section of approximately 10 miles to perform light maintenance, report issues, and be a friendly ambassador.
WHEN
We ask you to contribute 4-6 hours and visit your section at least 2x/month from May 1 - October 31. You decide your schedule.
Become A NYS Canalway Water Trail Volunteer Steward
Join our team of dedicated volunteers to make the NYS Canalway Water Trail a more welcoming place for all!
Stewardship Responsibilities
NOTE: An online orientation is provided and required before getting started. Volunteers receive apparel, swag, and a supply kit, but must use their own tools. Registered volunteers are accorded insurance protection as provided by law and liability insurance coverage, provided they are acting within the scope of the NYS Canalway Water Trail Stewardship Program.
WHAT ARE THE PERKS?
How to Get Started
1. Select the section you would like to adopt
2. Complete the Signup Form below
3. Attend an online volunteer orientation
Stewardship Sections
Signups for 2026 are now closed. Please check back in January for the 2027 season. Sections are listed west to east and also located on the map at the top of the page. Fill in the Section Number of the section you want to adopt when signing up. We can also help you select a section, if needed, or answer questions you may have prior to choosing one.
Erie Canal: Buffalo to Rochester
| Section Number | Available to Adopt | Segment | Launch Sites | # Miles | Start Mile & Landmark | End Mile & Landmark | High Traffic Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ADOPTED by The LTs, Diane Witczak, and Michael Brennan | Tonawanda, North Tonawanda | 5 Launches: Tonawanda Harbor/Gateway Harbor Park, Niagara Street Kayak Launch, Service Drive Boat Ramp, Botanical Gardens, West Canal Park | 7 | 338.6 Erie Canal entrance at Niagara River, Tonawanda | 331.6 up to Amherst Veterans Canal Park | YES |
| 2 | ADOPTED by The LTs | Amherst to Lockport | 2 Launches: Amherst Veterans Canal Park, Ransom Creek Launch | 10.6 | 331.7 Amherst Veterans Canal Park | 321.1 up to Lockport Upper Terminal | NO |
| 3 | ADOPTED by Jeremy Kocsis |
Lockport to Gasport | 3 Launches: Lockport Upper Terminal Launch. Locks 34-35 & Widewaters Marina/Goehle Park Marina, Gasport ramp | 8 | 321.2 Lockport Upper Terminal Launch | 313.2 Gasport ramp at Bolton Rd. | YES |
| 4 | ADOPTED by Jeremy Kocsis | Gasport to Medina | 3 Launches: Gasport ramp, Middleport Guard Gate Boat Ramp, Canal Port Marina*, Bates Boat Ramp | 10.5 | 313.2 Gasport ramp at Bolton Rd. | 302.7 includes Bates Road Ramp, Medina | NO |
| 5 | ADOPTED by Jeremy Kocsis | Medina to Albion | 1 Launch: Albion Boat Launch | 8.5 | 302.6 Guard Gate 15, Medina | 294.1 includes Albion Boat Launch | NO |
| 6 | ADOPTED by Jeremy Kocsis, Dale & Susan Davis | Albion to San Souci Canal Park | 2 Launches: Holley Canal Park, San Souci Canal Park | 11.9 | 294 after Albion Boat Launch | 282.1 includes San Souci Canal Park, Town of Murray | YES |
| 7 | ADOPTED by Ken Sikorski, Kathy Myers, Kim O'Connell, Mary Jane Witkiewitz | Brockport to Spencerport | 2 Launches : Brockport Welcome Center/Harvester Park, Spencerport Docks | 10.7 | 282 after San Souci Canal Park | 271.3 Spencerport Village Docks (at Gazebo) | YES |
| 8 | ADOPTED by Kathleen Farrell | Spencerport to Genesee River | 2 Launches: Heritage Park, [Greece Canal Park], Henpeck Park | 10.8 | 271.2 after Spencerport Village Docks (at Gazebo) | 260.4 includes Genesee Waterways Center, Rochester | YES |
Erie Canal: Rochester to Syracuse
| Section Number | Available to Adopt | Segment | # Launches | # Miles | Starting Mile & Landmark | Ending Mile & Landmark | High Traffic Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | ADOPTED by Devyn Brennan, Gary DiGiovanni, Margaret Gordon, Sally Hirst, Jennifer Loviglio, Christine & Michael Schutterop, Ina Sham, Chuck Stern, Jane Weerasinghe | Genesee River to Bushnell's Basin | 5 Launches: [Citygate], Brighton Reserve Launch, [Lock 33], Lock 32 State Canal Park, DEC Pittsford Boat Ramp, Port of Pittsford, Great Embankment Park, Bushnell's Basin Docks | 9.3 | 259.9 East Guard Lock | 250.6 includes Bushnell's Basin Docks | Yes |
| 10 | ADOPTED by John Barth, Peter Schuch, Anne DeWitte, Jay Swieringa, Carol & Tim Thomas, Andy & Ruth Gates, Steve Melcher | Bushnell's Basin to Macedon | 3 Launches: Ayrault Road Launch, Fairport Village Launch, Macedon Canal Park | 11.5 | 250.5 after Bushnell's Basin Docks | 239 before Lock E30 Macedon | Yes |
| 11 | APOPTED by Russell Harris |
Macedon to Newark | 6 Launches: Lock E30, Macedon, Enlarged Erie Lock 60, Lock E29, Pal-Mac Aqueduct County Park, Port of Palmyra, Palmyra Boat Launch, Widewaters Canal Park | 10.2 | 239.02 Lock E30 Macedon | 228.8 includes Widewaters Canal Park, Newark | Yes |
| 12 | ADOPTED by Two Gals on the Canal: Brendan Bosack, Clare & Chase Bosack, Sara Catalano, Beth & Rick Walker | Newark to Lyons | 4 Launches: Port of Newark/T. Spencer Knight Park, [Lock E28B], [Lock E28A], Abbey Park, [Lock E27], Lyons Southside Canal Park, Lyons Dock | 7.2 | 228 after Widewaters Canal Park, Newark | 220.8 includes Lyons Southside Canal Park/Lyons Dock | Yes |
| 13 | ADOPTED by Lynda Stanistreet |
Lyons to Seneca County Line | 3 Launches: Lauraville Landing (Clyde), Lock E26 Hand-launch, Armitage Road (informal launch) | 14.4 | 220 CSX Railroad Bridge | 205.6 Armitage Road (northern edge of Montezuma NWR) | No |
| 14 | ADOPTED by Shanr Hartnett and Lynda Stanistreet | Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge | 4 Launches: Lock E25 Mays Point - upper & lower, Richmond Aqueduct (informal pull-out), Howland Island WMA (landing), Town of Mentz Boat Ramp | 11.7 | 205.5 after Armitage / County Line Road (informal launch) | 193.8 includes Town of Mentz Boat Launch | No |
| 15 | ADOPTED by Jeff & Tonya Coulter, Bethany Rose | Seneca River, Towns of Mentz & Brutus | 1 Launch: DEC Seneca River-Port Byron boat launch, Brutus/DEC Seneca River Fishing Access | 9 | 193.7 after Mentz Boat Launch | 184.7 up to Cross Lake | No |
| 16 | ADOPTED by Eve Ryan |
Baldwinsville to Three Rivers | 5 Launches: Mercer Memorial Park, Baldwinsville Community Park (Lions Park), DEC Seneca River Boat Ramp, Onondaga Lake Outlet & Onondaga Lake Park, Willow Bay | 12.3 | 172.7 Mercer Memorial Park | 160.45 Three Rivers Junction | Yes |
| 17 | ADOPTED by Noreen Smith and Heidi Alford | Three Rivers to Oneida Lake | 4 Launches: Three Rivers Point Park, Clay Boat Ramp, [Lock E23 Brewerton], Brewerton Lighthouse Car Top, Brewerton dock wall | 9.9 | 160.5 Three Rivers Point Park | 150.6 Brewerton Dockwall | Yes |
| 18 | ADOPTED by James & Susan Romeo, Angela Storey, Anne Meuchel House, and Jon Hluska | Sylvan Beach |
4 Launches: Verona Beach Car Top Launch, Squires Landing Public Access, Sylvan Beach Hand-Launch, Cove Road Boat Launch, [Lock E22], [Lock E21] |
6.1 | 129.5 Sylvan Beach Breakwater | 123.4 includes Lock E21 | Yes |
Erie Canal: Syracuse to Little Falls
| Section Number | Available to Adopt | Segment | Launch Sites | # Miles | Starting Mile & Landmark | Ending Mile & Landmark | High Traffic Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | ADOPTED by Kerry Andrews |
Rome to Marcy | 4 Launches: Rome Muck Road Launch, Bellamy Harbor Park, Rome Navigation Center, Lock E20 (high side) | 11 | 116.3Rome/ Muck Road Launch | 105.3 includes Lock E20, Marcy | No |
| 20 | ADOPTED by Edgardo & Peggy Basubas, Gary Bustos and Deborah Prusinowski | Lock E20 to Frankfort | 3 Launches: Lock E20 Whitesboro, Utica Marsh Wildlife Area Boat Ramp, [Utica Historic Marina], Frankfort Harbor Marina | 12.6 | 105.2 after Lock E20 | 92.6 includes Frankfort Harbor Marina | No |
| 21 | ADOPTED Robin Lyons Lopez |
Frankfort to Lock E18, German Flatts | 6 Launches: Ilion Marina, Fulmer Creek Access, Gems Along the Mohawk, Fort Herkimer Church (informal landing), Plantation Island WMA (informal landing), Lock E18 (upper) | 9.3 | 92.5 after Frankfort Harbor Marina | 83.2 Lock E18, German Flatts | No |
Erie Canal: Little Falls to Albany
| Section Number | Available to Adopt | Segment | Launch Sites | # Miles | Starting Mile & Landmark | Ending Mile & Landmark | High Traffic Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | ADOPTED by Bruce Schwabach and Tom Stock | German Flatts to St Johnsville | 5 Launches: Little Falls Launch, Little Falls Canal Harbor & Rotary Park, [Lock E17], [Herkimer Home SHS] | 11.94 | 83.3 after Lock E18 | 71.36 Lock E16, St. Johnsville | Yes |
| 23 | ADOPTED by Nino Polidori | St Johnsville to Canajoharie | 6 Launches: [Lock E16], St. Johnsville Municipal Marina, Enlarged Erie Lock 33, Lock E15, Nelliston Boat Ramp, [Lock E14], Canajoharie Boat Ramp, Canajoharie Riverfront Park | 10.4 | 71 Lock E16, St. Johnsville | 60.6 includes Canajoharie Riverfront Park | Yes |
| 24 | ADOPTED by JoAnn & Peter Douglass, Tracey Stearns | Canajoharie to Fultonville | 3 Launches: Canajoharie Ramp, [Lock E13], Fonda Ramp (under development), Fultonville Dock | 12.6 | 60.6 Canajoharie Riverfornt Park | 48 Fultonville Dock | No |
| 25 | ADOPTED by Joyel Richardson | Fultonville to Amsterdam | 3 Launches: Fultonville Dock, Schoharie Crossing Boat Ramp, [Lock E12], Yankee Hill Lock, [Lock E11], Port Jackson ramp | 9.3 | 47.8 after Fultonville Dock | 38.5 includes Port Jackson / Southside launch, Amsterdam | Yes |
| 26 | ADOPTED by Brown-Ziomek Family | Amsterdam to Rotterdam Junction | 5 Launches: Lock E10, Town of Florida Ramp, Lock E9 Rotterdam Junction (upper) | 9.3 | 38.4 Amsterdam Riverlink Park | 29.1 Lock E9, Rotterdam Junction (upper) | Yes |
| 27 | ADOPTED by Sue & Mike Strangia, Bruce & Beverly Blinn Knapp, Linda & Robert Cooley, Christina Krewson, Kim & Ed Greiner | Lock E9, Rotterdam Junction to Freeman's Bridge, Schenectady | 6 Launches: Mabee Farm Historic Site, Rotterdam Kiwanis Park, Maalwyck Park, Lock E8 Scotia, Scotia Village Docks/Freedom Park, Gateway Landing/Rotary Park | 9 | 29.1 Lock E9, Rotterdam Junction | 20.1 includes Freeman's Bridge ramp | Yes |
| 28 | ADOPTED by Current Cleaners, Erin & Brent Kinar, Martin Burke | Freeman's Bridge, Schenectady to Lock E7, Niskayuna | 2 Launches: Mohawk Harbor Marina, Aqueduct Park, Lock E7 Boat Ramp, [Lock E7] | 7 | 20.1 Water's Edge Lighthouse | 13.1 includes Lock E7 Vischer Ferry | Yes |
| 29 | ADOPTED by Jet Teetsel |
Lock E7 to Waterford Flight (North side) | 6 Launches: Mohawk Landing Nature Preserve, Vischer Ferry Car Top Launch, Vandenburgh Dunsbach Ferry Launch, Halfmoon-Crescent Park, Crescent Terminal, Alcathy's Boat Launch | 9.95 | 12.95 after Lock E7 Vischer Ferry | 3 Alcathy's Boat Launch, Waterford | Yes |
| 30 | ADOPTED by Sue Castillo | Lock E7 to Waterford Flight (South side) | 3 Launches: Lions Park, Mohawk Riverside Landing, Freddie's Park | 8 | 12.95 after Lock E7 Vischer Ferry | 4.5 Freddie's Park | Yes |
| 31 | ADOPTED by Upstate Kayak Rentals | Waterford | 2 Launches: Waterford Point Boat Ramp, Lansingburgh Boat Ramp | 1 | 0 Waterford Point Boat Ramp | 0 Lansingburgh Ramp on the opposite shore of Hudson River | Yes |
Champlain Canal
| Section Number | Available to Adopt | Segment | Launches | # Miles | Starting Mile & Landmark | Ending Mile & Landmark | High Traffic Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | ADOPTED BY John Sheehy |
Whitehall to Fort Ann | 4 Launches: Lock C12 Whitehall, Skenesborough Waterfront Park, Lock C11, Comstock Boat Ramp, Fort Ann Landing | 11.3 | 60.7 Lock C12 Whitehall | 49.4 includes Fort Ann Landing | No |
| 33 | ADOPTED by Alice and Tom Woods | Fort Ann to Fort Edward | 1 Launch: Lock C9 Kayak Launch, [Lock C9 Smith's Basin], [Lock C8 Fort Edward] | 12.1 | 49.5 after Fort Ann Landing | 37.4 before Fort Edward Dock | Yes |
| 34 | ADOPTED by Feeder Canal Alliance | Glens Falls Feeder Canal: Queensbury to Hudson Falls | 3 Launches: Feeder Canal Park/Feeder Dam, Dock at Shermantown Rd, Martindale Boat Basin | 5 | Feeder Canal Park, Queensbury | Martindale Boat Basin, Hudson Falls | No |
| 35 | ADOPTED by Mark Wells and Brian Stratton |
Fort Edward to Lock C5 Schuylerville | 5 Launches: Fort Edward Dock, [Lock C7], Bradley Beach/Rogers Island, Moreau Boat Ramp, Route 4 Rest Stop Kayak Launch, [Lock C6], Northumberland Kayak Launch at C5. | 11.1 | 37.4 Fort Edward Dock | 26.3 Lock C5 (Northumberland launch) | No |
| 36 | ADOPTED by Mark Wells, Jan Wolski, and Brian Stratton | Lock C5 to Stillwater Hudson Riverfront Park | 5 Launches: Hudson Crossing Park, Schuylerville Boat Ramp, Fort Hardy Park, Saratoga Boat Ramp, Stillwater Hudson Riverfront Park | 9.1 | 26.3 Lock C5 - Soloman Launch | 17.2 Stillwater Hudson River Park | Yes |
| 37 | ADOPTED by Mark Wells and Kathy Bentley | Stillwater Hudson Riverfront Park to Mechanicville | 1 Launch: Mechanicville Terminal | 8 | 17 after Stillwater Hudson River Park | 9.3 includes Mechanicville Terminal | No |
| 38 | ADOPTED by Mark Wells | Mechanicville to Waterford | 2 Launches: [Lock C2], Lighthouse Park, Lock C1 Boat Ramp | 9 | 9.25 after Mechanicville Terminal | 0.3 confluence of Erie/Mohawk & Champlain/Hudson | Yes |
Cayuga-Seneca Canal
| Section Number | Available to Adopt | Segment | Launch Areas | # Miles | Starting Mile & Landmark | Ending Mile & Landmark | High Traffic Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | ADOPTED by Robert Hess | Seneca Lake to Seneca Falls | 3 Launches: Seneca Lake State Park Launch, Oak Island Park, Seneca Falls Boat Ramp | 8.1 | 17.1 Seneca Lake State Park | 9 Seneca Falls Boat Ramp | Yes |
| 40 | ADOPTED by Hadi Soetrisno | Seneca Falls to Erie Canal | 5 Launches: Seneca Falls Canal Harbor (north & south sides), Lock CS2-3 Upper Launch, Lock CS-1 (Mud Lock) Ramp, Montezuma Boat Ramp, [Montezuma NWR dock] | 8.1 | 9 Seneca Falls Boat Ramp | 0 Kipp Island/Erie Canal | Yes |
Oswego Canal
| Section Number | Available to Adopt | Segment | Launch Areas | # Miles | Starting Mile & Landmark | Ending Mile & Landmark | High Traffic Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
41 |
ADOPTED by CNY Land Trust: Margaret Bocsor and Patrick Lynch | Three Rivers to Fulton | 3 Launch Areas: Indian Point Landing - Fulton, Riverview Park-Minetto, Lock O8 Ramp | 12.9 | 0 Three Rivers Point | 12.8 up to Indian Point Landing | Yes |
| 42 | ADOPTED by Lisa Baldwin and Merrilee DeVaul | Fulton to Oswego | 3 Launches: Indian Point Landing - Fulton, Riverview Park-Minetto, [launch above O6 under development], Lock O8 Ramp. | 10 | 12.9 Indian Point Landing | 22.9 Lock O8 ramp | Yes |
Yes! I'm Interested!
Please fill out this interest form to get started. We will email you an official registration form and schedule your orientation.
Need more information?
Please contact Mona Caron, Director of Trails and Stewardship, at mona_caron@eriecanalway.org or (518) 237-7000, ext. 204 with questions or to find out more about available sections. Although many sections are adopted, many of our stewards would welcome others to join them.
Thank you!
The Stewardship Program is made possible with funding support from the New York State Canal Corporation, which operates the NYS Canal System.
