Paddle TodayFind the best paddle near you today

Live score, water level, and weather.

See all 30 routes on Erie Canal / Mohawk River

New York | Oneida and Herkimer counties / Marcy, Utica Marsh, Schuyler, and Frankfort

Erie Canal / Mohawk RiverLock E20 to Frankfort

A 12.6-mile one-way Erie Canal Water Trail section from the Lock E20 low-side launch at Marcy through the Utica Marsh Wildlife Management Area and Utica Historic Marina to Frankfort Harbor Marina. The official stewardship inventory identifies this as Section 20 with Lock E20, Utica Marsh, Utica Historic Marina, and Frankfort Harbor access contexts. The guidebook documents the E20 portage and workboat wall, the Utica Marsh no-camping boundary, the prohibited Utica Harbor Lock entry, strong currents at Days Spillway, the 21-foot Lock E19 lift, and Frankfort Harbor facilities.

Route location

Loading the route map.

Open access map

Plan this route

DistanceAbout 12.6 official Canalway miles one way from Lock E20 at Marcy to Frankfort Harbor Marina
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAbout 5–8 hours depending on wind
ShuttleCar shuttle
Erie Barge Canal west of the Genesee River at Rochester, New York, used as same-canal proxy context for the Lock E20 to Frankfort section.
Route photoLock E20 to Frankfort Erie Canal route and same-canal proxy contextPhoto by U.S. Geological Survey

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
View Primary Source
Embed this route

Route alerts

Email me when this route improves

We'll email you when this route climbs into Good or Strong. Every email includes an unsubscribe link.

We only email on a new threshold crossing.

Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 12.6 official Canalway miles one way from Lock E20 at Marcy to Frankfort Harbor MarinaLock E20 to Frankfort
DifficultymoderateThe route is mostly protected canal flatwater but includes the E20 and E19 lock boundaries, workboats, Utica Marsh wildlife-area and hunting context, the prohibited Utica Harbor Lock, Days Spillway currents, commercial and marina traffic, limited egress, cold water, and changing managed-access conditions.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the downstream vehicle at the confirmed Frankfort Harbor Marina, then drive to the confirmed low-side E20 launch. Allow time for the one-way shuttle, lock and spillway checks, Utica urban traffic, marina coordination, and a conservative daylight margin.
PermitsCheck posted rulesConfirm current Canal Corporation E20/E19 lock and portage procedures, DEC and Utica Marsh WMA rules, Utica Historic Marina and Frankfort Harbor landing permission, parking and overnight rules, hunting notices, boating/PFD requirements, and clean-drain-dry procedures before departure.
CampingDay tripNo on-route public camping is claimed for Section 20. Utica Marsh explicitly has no camping, while Frankfort Harbor’s overnight parking and waterfront facilities do not authorize camping; use separately confirmed nearby lodging or basecamp.
SeasonMay-OctThis Lock E20-to-Frankfort canal reach is seasonal and sensitive to canal pool levels, Mohawk inflow, lock and spillway operations, workboats, bridges, wildlife-area conditions, cold water, and changing launch/parking access. Verify current Canal Corporation, DEC, and municipal notices before departure.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

Waiting on forecast.

WeekendChecking

Waiting on forecast.

Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A 12.6-mile one-way Erie Canal Water Trail section from the Lock E20 low-side launch at Marcy through the Utica Marsh Wildlife Management Area and Utica Historic Marina to Frankfort Harbor Marina. The official stewardship inventory identifies this as Section 20 with Lock E20, Utica Marsh, Utica Historic Marina, and Frankfort Harbor access contexts. The guidebook documents the E20 portage and workboat wall, the Utica Marsh no-camping boundary, the prohibited Utica Harbor Lock entry, strong currents at Days Spillway, the 21-foot Lock E19 lift, and Frankfort Harbor facilities.

Access map

Skip map

Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

End of map
Start

Put-in

Lock E20, Whitesboro (Marcy) low-side launch
Open mapDirections to put-in

The stored coordinates follow official Erie Canalway guide anchors and stewardship inventory contexts; dock, ramp, carry, parking, lock, workboat, spillway, marina, and seasonal conditions remain subject to current operation.

Finish

Take-out

Frankfort Harbor Marina
Open mapDirections to take-out

The stewardship table lists three launch sites but names four access contexts including Utica Historic Marina; the marina is retained as a conditional managed-access stop, not assumed public access.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Choose a shorter tripOptional

Access planner

Choose your launch and take-out

This changes launch and take-out logistics, not today's river score.

On-water distance12.6 miMixed access
On-water timeAbout 5–8 hours depending on windFull route option
ShuttleCar shuttleChoose a shorter in/out pair for a shorter day.

Lock E20, Whitesboro (Marcy) low-side launch to Frankfort Harbor Marina is about 12.6 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.

Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • The stored coordinates follow official Erie Canalway guide anchors and stewardship inventory contexts; dock, ramp, carry, parking, lock, workboat, spillway, marina, and seasonal conditions remain subject to current operation.
  • The stewardship table lists three launch sites but names four access contexts including Utica Historic Marina; the marina is retained as a conditional managed-access stop, not assumed public access.
  • The Lock E20 coordinate is shared with the documented E20 launch site; the route begins after the lock, so verify the low-side launch and legal portage rather than treating the prior high-side endpoint as automatically usable.
  • The route ends at Frankfort Harbor before the separate Frankfort-to-Lock E18 corridor. Continuing east requires separate lock, access, and shuttle planning.

Watch for

  • USGS 04237496 unavailable, rapidly changing, or inconsistent with local Mohawk/Erie Canal conditions
  • Lock E20/E19 hydraulics, workboats, Utica Marsh boundaries and hunting, Utica Harbor Lock, Days Spillway currents, bridges, cold water, debris, marina traffic, and commercial harbor activity
  • Low-side E20 launch and portage, Utica Marsh boat ramp, Utica Historic Marina permission, Frankfort Harbor call-ahead/parking rules, and the Section 21 boundary

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

Trip schedule

Times use the selected time zone. Check it against the river’s location before saving or sharing.

Browser plans

Browser plans stay on this device. Sharing opens your device’s share tools or gives you text to copy.

Download GPX Route geometry only; no schedule required.

Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Gauge detail

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Gauge

Recent trend

Checking preferred range.

Checking trend.

------------

Weather

Hourly forecast

Checking weather.

Loading today's forecast.

Next 8 hours

Short-route forecast

Checking the next several hours.

Checking the best short-route window.
----Loading--

Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

Erie Barge Canal west of the Genesee River at Rochester, New York, used as same-canal proxy context for the Lock E20 to Frankfort section.
Lock E20 to Frankfort Erie Canal route and same-canal proxy contextPhoto by U.S. Geological Survey
USGS station photograph; same-canal proxy context

Sources

Data and sources

Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.

NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Distinct Canalway sectionLock E20 to Frankfort; approximately 12.6 miles; official Section 20

    The official Erie Canalway stewardship inventory identifies the section, mileage, Lock E20 start, Frankfort Harbor finish, and named access contexts.

    Source

  • Public and conditional water-entry chainLock E20 Whitesboro, Utica Marsh Wildlife Area Boat Ramp, Utica Historic Marina, and Frankfort Harbor Marina

    The official Syracuse-to-Little Falls guidebook supplies the access coordinates, facilities, lock boundaries, wildlife-area context, spillway warning, and Frankfort Harbor conditions; the marina stop remains permission-dependent.

    Source

  • Lock and spillway safetyE20/E19 lock boundaries, Utica Harbor Lock exclusion, and Days Spillway north-side passage

    The guidebook directs paddlers away from Utica Harbor Lock and Days Spillway currents and documents the large E20/E19 lifts and workboat context.

    Source

  • Camping postureNearby basecamp or lodging only; Utica Marsh has no camping

    No public camping right is inferred from the WMA, lock facilities, Utica marina, or Frankfort Harbor overnight parking.

    Source

  • Navigation safetyCanalway lock, spillway, workboat, wildlife-area, and commercial-dock precautions

    The guidebook and Canalway safety guidance supply route-specific control and portage precautions.

    Source

  • Proxy live gaugeUSGS 04237496 Seneca River near Baldwinsville

    USGS provides broad basin trend context only; local Mohawk inflow, canal pool, lock, spillway, workboat, and access conditions remain decisive.

    Source

  • Route imageUSGS Erie Canal proxy station photograph used as clearly labeled same-canal context

    The presentation image is proxy context and does not claim to depict the Lock E20–Frankfort reach.

    Source

  • Same-river proxy gaugeUSGS 04237496, Seneca River near Baldwinsville, NY

    USGS 04237496 is on the Seneca River near Baldwinsville, west of this Mohawk/Erie reach, and is used only as broad basin trend context. Local canal pool level, Mohawk inflow, lock/spillway operations, wind, debris, workboats, and access can differ materially.

    Source

  • Safety and river conditionsCheck live gauge, recent rainfall, trend, debris, bridges, and access conditions before launch

    Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Water Trail stewardship inventory and its linked safety material warn that conditions change rapidly and require local inspection.

    Source

  • Image decisionApproved watershed/proxy-gauge context image used for route presentation

    The image is clearly labeled as watershed/proxy-gauge context and does not claim to depict this exact reach.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

Paddler reports

See recent photos and notes from people on the route.

Share your trip

Help build the route page

Add photos or send a quick condition report.

Photos

Upload route photos

Add access, hazard, or on-water photos.

No files selected yet.

Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in New York

All 282 routes
New York route guideBrowse every tracked New York route.Oneida and Herkimer counties / Marcy, Utica Marsh, Schuyler, and FrankfortJump to routes in this region.

More on Erie Canal / Mohawk River

All 30
Albion Boat Launch to San Souci Canal Park, Town of MurrayOrleans County / Western New YorkModerate · About 11.9 one-way Canalway miles from Albion Boat Launch to San Souci Canal ParkAlcathy’s Boat Launch through the Waterford Flight to Waterford Point Boat RampSaratoga and Rensselaer Counties / Capital RegionModerate · 2.74 one-way Canalway miles from Alcathy’s Boat Launch to Waterford Point Boat RampAmsterdam to Rotterdam JunctionMontgomery and Schenectady Counties / Amsterdam, Town of Florida, and Rotterdam JunctionHard · About 9.3 official Canalway miles one way from Amsterdam Riverlink Park to Lock E9, Rotterdam Junction upper approachBates Road Ramp / Medina Guard Gate 15 to Albion Boat LaunchOrleans County / Western New YorkModerate · About 8.5 one-way Canalway miles from the Bates Road/Medina Guard Gate 15 boundary to Albion Boat Launch

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Oriskany CreekClinton second bridge to first bridge / Norton Avenue extension · about 10 straight-line mi awayModerate · 1.1 river miles, with an optional longer extension to the Norton Avenue fishing take-outWest Canada CreekPartridge Hill Road to Route 28 overlook · about 11 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 3 river miles from the NYSDEC Partridge Hill Road access to the Route 28 overlook access, matching the West Canada Creek access-study upper-reach screenWest Canada CreekMiddleville NYSDEC access to Kast Bridge · about 16 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 5.7 river miles from the Middleville access to Kast Bridge, matching the NYSDEC reach descriptionMohawk RiverHerkimer Erie Canal access to Little Falls Rotary Park / Lock 17 · about 18 straight-line mi awayEasy · 8 river miles, point-to-point to the Lock 17 boundary

Quick answers

Erie Canal / Mohawk River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Lock E20 to Frankfort route on the Erie Canal / Mohawk River?

This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.

Where does the Lock E20 to Frankfort route on the Erie Canal / Mohawk River start and end?

This route starts at Lock E20, Whitesboro (Marcy) low-side launch and ends at Frankfort Harbor Marina, about 12.6 official Canalway miles one way from Lock E20 at Marcy to Frankfort Harbor Marina on the water.

Is the Lock E20 to Frankfort route on the Erie Canal / Mohawk River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.

Flag a change

See something outdated?

Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.

Report a changeEmail update