Research

Scope and Content Note

The series consists of hand-drawn cross sectional diagrams produced from a survey made to determine conditions and needed improvements to the Erie Canal. The diagrams show conditions of the canal bed and riparian decay in portions of the Western Division of the canal, beginning at Lock 52 at the Wayne County line and ending at the Black Rock Guard Lock.

The cross sections are done in colored ink on graphing paper. Each cross section shows water level (blue line), condition of the canal bottom (black line), and the proposed improved configuration (red line). Black lines carry ascending linear measurements that indicate amounts of accumulated sludge or collapse of the canal bottom from the time of original excavation. Such measurements would allow estimates to be made for removal of debris and placement of necessary fill to insure stable dimensions for the canal channel. There are occasional handwritten notes giving place names and structure points (e.g., Reynale's Basin; "Vertical Wall ends").

The drawings each have a corresponding station number, apparently referring to the citing station from which measurements were made. They are arranged several to a page in order of ascending station number. The diagrams begin at station 410 and end at station 1690. The typical layout is five drawings per page, measuring approximately 6 x 15 cm on a page size of 39.5 x 26 cm. Occasionally larger diagrams are present. Overall volume size is 40.5 x 27 cm. The initial page of each volume lists commencement and ending points for the volume, along with a reference number to the respective field book from which the drawings were made.