Black River Canal walkway and towpath, Boonville NY

Whereas the Black River Canal was an avenue for commerce in the past, it is now principally a recreational venue. Volunteer organizations have been working to preserve sections of the canal for the public's enjoyment. Click here to see what the canal looks like today.



In Boonville, a new walkway lined with early 20th century street lights run south of the Main Street bridge. It features one of the few remaining Whipple bridges in existence. This bowstring cast-iron truss bridge that was patented in 1841 by Squire Whipple of Utica was eventually adopted by the Canal as the standardized bridge for canal crossings.



The canal walkway connects with a cross-country ski trail maintained by BREIA. Open for biking and hiking in the summer, this trail extends south along the towpath for 10 miles terminating below Pixley Falls State Park.



After a visit to the Black River Canal Museum, our group went on a short hike on this grassy trail that run alongside the canal.



This was lock no. 70. Obviously, the shed was not part of the operation.




This waste weir a little north of the lock served to drain excess water from the canal.



Along the way, we said hello to one of the natives.