New York State Department of Transportation Division of Waterways Maintenance Regional Waterway Engineer's Correspondence
and Operation and Maintenance Files
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Overview of the Records
Repository:
New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230
Summary:
This series documents the Division of Waterways Maintenance regional waterways engineer's operation and maintenance of the
Erie Barge Canal between Oneida Lake and the eastern portions of Montgomery County.
Creator:
Title:
New York State Department of Transportation Division of Waterways Maintenance Regional Waterway Engineer's correspondence
and operation and maintenance files
Quantity:
Inclusive Dates:
1902-1992
Series Number:
B2422
Administrative History
Under the Department of Transportation, there were four regional waterways offices: Albany, Utica, Syracuse, and Rochester.
The Utica office was responsible for operations and maintenance of the Erie Barge Canal between Oneida Lake and the eastern
portions of Montgomery County. Included in that region were locks, bridges, channel, and the Fonda and Utica section shops.
As with all the other regional offices, the monitoring and control of water levels was critical and is reflected in these
files. A special characteristic of the Region 2 office was its management of the extensive network of reservoirs in the Adirondacks
and in Madison County. Delta and Hinckley Reservoirs date to the early twentieth-century construction of the Barge Canal.
Other elements of the network date back to the 1830s.
Frank Jennings was the regional waterways engineer at the time of the transfer of the Waterways office to the New York State
Canal Corporation under the New York State Thruway Authority. His correspondence files from the 1970s through the early 1990s
form the bulk of the series. His predecessor, Earl Scothon, was also a noted historian of the canal system. He had worked
for the department since the 1930s and many of his notes, studies, and correspondence are also in the series.
The Utica office of the Department of Transportation's regional waterways engineer for Region 2 was closed as part of the
1992 transition of the Waterways office to the Canal Corporation. The Utica office files were inherited by the Corporation's
Syracuse Division.
Scope and Content Note
This series documents the Division of Waterways Maintenance regional waterways engineer's operation and maintenance of the
Erie Barge Canal between Oneida Lake and the eastern portions of Montgomery County. Records document monitoring and control
of water levels and management of the network of reservoirs in the Adirondacks and in Madison County. Also included is a master
list of all of the files that were removed from the Utica office at the time the office was closed in 1992.
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.
Access Terms
Corporate Name(s):
Geographic Name(s):
Subject(s):
Function(s):
Detailed Description
Dates |
Contents |
Box |
Folder |
Accretion: B2422-17 |
1966 |
Folder, "Canal Museum": 1966 correspondence with Frank Thomson of the Erie Canal Museum concerning the Barge Mary Ann, "the
old wood barge removed from the Barge Canal at Fort Herkimer," was taken to the Fort Herkimer widewaters in 1947, possible
transfer of parts to Canal Museum
|
1 |
1 |
circa 1966-1967 |
Folder, "Historical, Architectural Landmark Data // Herkimer-Oneida Co.": c. 1966/7 material on "Historical/Architectural/Landmarks
Committee"; material on Historic Rome Development Authority
|
1 |
2 |
1973 |
Folder, "Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan": correspondence |
1 |
3 |
circa 1960s-1970s |
Folder, "Erie Canal Park": extensive correspondence and other materials on the development of Old Erie Canal State Park (Earl
Scothon files); plans for New London marina
|
1 |
4 |
1920, 1927, 1949, 1951-1952 |
Folder, "Stream Gaging Notes and Forms": 1951/2 repairs notes on Gurley current meter; 1949 Gurley catalog including listing
of "Gurley Graphic Recorders"; 1927 correspondence on stream gaging below Rocky Rift; 1920 "discharge measurement notes" at
Kast Bridge and others, places and dates
|
1 |
5 |
circa 1920s-1950s |
Folder, "Gages - Miscellaneous": correspondence from Earl Scothon concerning gaging; maps of gage locations |
1 |
6 |
1905-1911, circa 1920s-1930s |
Folder, "Gages - Mohawk River": 1920s gage books; summary of high water readings at Rome (1905-1911); 1920s summary for Utica;
1930s correspondence
|
1 |
7 |
circa 1960s-1970s |
Folder, "Gages": correspondence on flood warning system, recording devices, locations in Region 2 |
1 |
8 |
1927-circa 1950s |
Folder, "High Water Reports": 1930s/40s/50s notes and reports on high water and floods in Region 2; reports on 1945, 1947
and other floods; summary statements of Gage 154 (Mohawk State Dam) (1927-1945)
|
1 |
9 |
circa 1900s-1940s, 1952 |
Folder, "Mohawk River": c1900s/10s/20s/30s/40s, Land and water notes; correspondence on various issues relative to river/land
use; report on October 2, 1945 flood of upper Mohawk; 1952 report on hydrology of Mohawk above Utica; and recommendations
for proposed Thruway bridge at Whitesboro
|
1 |
10 |
undated |
Folder, "Discharge - Old Erie Canal, etc.": Discharge curves and other notes |
1 |
11 |
circa 1920s-1930s, 1960s-1990s |
Folder, "Sylvan Beach": 1920s/30s/60s/70s/80s/90s, extensive correspondence file; material on pier and Beach issues, ownership
records; 1923 Crocker report on making navigation on Oneida Lake safer
|
1 |
12 |
circa 1960s-1990s |
Folder, "Sylvan Beach Breakwater" - 1960s/70s/80s/90s, material on breakwater; c. 1965 Corps of Engineers report on "Beach
Erosion Control Study of Oneida Lake"
|
1 |
13 |
1989 June |
Unfoldered - "Sylvan Beach Pier Rehabilitation Study" |
1 |
14 |
circa 1970s |
Folder, "Abandonment of State Lands at Sylvan Beach": correspondence; "pollution abatement" project, treatment plant proposal |
1 |
15 |
circa 1970s-1980s |
Folder, "Barge Canal Contract Nos. 4 (Part) // Construction of Dock - 132 (Part) // Walls, Breakwaters and Light. 233 // Sylvan
Beach House": correspondence on breakwater/pier; 1971 photos
|
1 |
16 |
circa 1940s-1950s |
Folder, "General - Oneida Lake - Verona Beach State Park": 1940s/50s correspondence; property transfers |
1 |
17 |
1987 July-December |
Folder, "Incoming Correspondence" |
2 |
1 |
1987 January-June |
Folder, "Incoming Correspondence" |
2 |
2 |
1987 January-June |
Folder, "Outgoing Correspondence" |
2 |
3 |
1987 July- December |
Folder, "Outgoing Correspondence" |
2 |
4 |
1986 July-December |
Folder, "Outgoing Correspondence" |
2 |
5 |
1986 January-June |
Folder, "Outgoing Correspondence" |
2 |
6 |
1986 July-December |
Folder, "Incoming Correspondence" |
2 |
7 |
undated |
Two Packets on ROW points in Region 2 |
2 |
8 |
circa 1960s |
Folder, "Books and Maps Removed from Region 2 Files" - c. 1960s; extensive Scothon inventories of historical records at Utica,
Rome and Fonda; Marcy and Utica State Hospital and Rome State School records disposition; 1969 Scothon records on disposition
to "Rome Canal Museum," "Syracuse Historical Society" and Oneida County Historical Society; field book inventories
|
2 |
9 |
circa 1969 |
Folder, "Inventory of canal records in District 2 basement": lists of canal records |
2 |
10 |
undated |
Folder, "Refiled Maps Part I": Scothon reassignment number lists of historical records |
2 |
11 |
undated |
Folder, "Refiled Maps Part 2": Scothon reassignment number lists of historical records |
2 |
12 |
undated |
Folder, "Maps for Syracuse, Watertown, State Institutions": Inventories of non-canal materials in Utica and Rome canal office |
2 |
13 |
1973-1983 |
Folder, "Capital Construction Program, 1973-1983": Lists of canal capital projects in Region 2 and statewide |
2 |
14 |
1986 |
Folder, "Newspaper Articles - 1986": Canal-related newspaper articles |
3 |
1 |
1985 |
Folder, "Tonnage - 1985": Monthly statistics from Erie Lock 10 |
3 |
2 |
1986 January-June |
Folder, "Incoming Correspondence" |
3 |
3 |
1985 July- December |
Folder, "Incoming Correspondence" |
3 |
4 |
1985 January-June |
Folder, "Outgoing Correspondence" |
3 |
5 |
1985 January-June |
Folder, "Incoming Correspondence" |
3 |
6 |
1985 July- December |
Folder, "Outgoing Correspondence" |
3 |
7 |
1992 July- December |
Folder, "Outgoing Correspondence" |
3 |
8 |
1992 January-June |
Folder, "Outgoing Correspondence" |
3 |
9 |
1992 July-December |
Folder, "Incoming Correspondence" |
3 |
10 |
1992 |
Folder, "1992 Extra File Correspondence" |
3 |
11 |
1992 January-June |
Folder, "Incoming Correspondence" |
3 |
12 |
1991 July-December |
Folder, "Incoming Correspondence" |
3 |
13 |
1991 January-June |
Folder, "Incoming Correspondence" |
3 |
14 |
1991 |
Folder, "1991 Extra File Correspondence" |
3 |
15 |
1991 July-December |
Folder, "Outgoing Correspondence" |
3 |
16 |
1991 January-June |
Folder, "Outgoing Correspondence" |
3 |
17 |
1990 January-June |
Folder, "Outgoing Correspondence" |
4 |
1 |
1990 July-December |
Folder, "Outgoing Correspondence" |
4 |
2 |
1990 January-June |
Folder, "Incoming Correspondence" |
4 |
3 |
1990 July-December |
Folder, "Incoming Correspondence" |
4 |
4 |
1989 January-June |
Folder, "Outgoing Correspondence" |
4 |
5 |
1989 July-December |
Folder, "Outgoing Correspondence" |
4 |
6 |
1989 January-June |
Folder, "Incoming Correspondence" |
4 |
7 |
1989 July-December |
Folder, "Incoming Correspondence" |
4 |
8 |
1988 July-December |
Folder, "Outgoing Correspondence" |
4 |
9 |
1988 January-June |
Folder, "Outgoing Correspondence" |
4 |
10 |
1988 January-June |
Folder, "Incoming Correspondence" |
4 |
11 |
1988 July-December |
Folder, "Incoming Correspondence" |
5 |
1 |
1988-1989 |
Folder, "General Correspondence" |
5 |
2 |
1987 |
Folder, "General Correspondence" |
5 |
3 |
1985 September-1986 December |
Folder, "General Correspondence" |
5 |
4 |
circa 1993 |
Folder, "Canal Files Index": list of subject headings in the file cabinets |
5 |
5 |
circa 1986-1987 |
Folder, "Canals, Other": c. 1986/7, recreational use of the canal; thank-you letters; SCOW; federal assistance efforts; "Design
and Development of a Data Management System for the Erie Canal"; (Boyle, 1986), newspaper and magazine articles on the Barge
Canal system; "Lock 20 Eagle Project" (Brunet, 1986); Canadian canals
|
5 |
6 |
circa 1991-1992 |
Folder, "Canals (General)": c. 1991/2, general information on canals; State Archives canal records; "Gratuity Signage" removal
(1992); 1991 user survey, safety issues
|
5 |
7 |
circa 1970s |
Folder, "Bike Path Along Old Black River Canal": trail proposals and correspondence |
5 |
8 |
circa 1970s-1980s |
Folder, "Bike Route": (General Correspondence) - 1970s/80s; "Canal Recreation System Phase 2 Proposal" (OPR, 1973) and Phase
1 (1973)
|
5 |
9 |
1916, 1958 |
Folder, "Canal History": Canal history brochures; "Empire State's Navy"; "Joint Legislative Committee... Historic Sites";
(1958) "Little Falls Historical Pageant and Lift Lock Celebration"; (1916), newspaper articles; 1958 illustrated newspaper
article on Erie Lock 13
|
5 |
10 |
1944, circa 1980s-1990s |
Folder, "Floating Plant": 1980s/90s, general correspondence on floating plant issues; 1944 (revised 1975) inventory sheets
of vessels for Region 2
|
5 |
11 |
circa 1970s-1990s |
Folder, "Facilities Rehabilitation (General)": on facility needs and proposals and improvements Region 2 |
5 |
12 |
1991 |
Folder, "Durhamville Aqueduct": correspondence on failure and repair |
5 |
13 |
1972, 1978-1979 |
Folder, "Complaint - Indian Castle": 1978/9 correspondence on flooding issues, 1972 map |
5 |
14 |
circa 1980s-1990s |
Folder, "Complaints, General": correspondence dealing with property, boating and maintenance issues, reservoirs |
5 |
15 |
1948, 1972 |
Folder, "Claims, General": correspondence and memos regarding damages and insurance claims; Buda 1948 claim typescript concerning
flooding near Canastota; other claims (statewide examples); tug crew claim (1972) on the Champlain Canal
|
5 |
16 |
circa 1990s |
Folder, "Cazenovia Gatehouse": 1990s correspondence; repairs; preservation; drawings, village/town of Cazenovia efforts; Mary
Ivey 1991 correspondence; OPR correspondence
|
5 |
17 |
circa 1970s-1990s |
Folder, "Canastota, Village of (Erie Canal State Park)": correspondence, maintenance, permits |
5 |
18 |
circa 1960s-1990s |
Folder, "Canal Records (Kept - Destroyed - Mailed)": 1990s disposition/retention schedules; lists of material destroyed (1960s/70s/80s,1991/92);
State Archives reference material; inventories of historical records at various sites in Region 2
|
5 |
19 |
1989, circa 1990s |
Folder, "Canal, Future of": 1990s correspondence; trail development, user fees; 1989 "Erie Canal Development Feasibility Study";
public hearing testimony; legislative actions; newspaper articles
|
5 |
20 |
circa 1930s-1980s |
Folder, "Rome Muckland Claims": Extensive material up to 1980s; numerous deeds; separate folder "Muck Claims (Miscellaneous)
1935...", extensive 1930s correspondence; 1936 photo
|
6 |
1 |
1913, circa 1970s |
Folder, "Herkimer Home Historic Site": 1913 map of property; 1970s correspondence concerning property transfer and usage |
6 |
2 |
circa 1970s-1980s |
Folder, "House at Forestport": correspondence concerning removal or demolition of the McDermid/Betters house |
6 |
3 |
circa 1980s |
Folder, "House at Forestport": correspondence and maps concerning the McDermid/Betters house |
6 |
4 |
circa 1970s-1990s |
Folder, "Memorandum of Understanding": materials relative to MOUs with DEC, OPR |
6 |
5 |
circa 1970s-1980s |
Folder, "Mohawk Floodplains Assoc.": correspondence and other materials relative to floodplain issues; Oneida County Environmental
Management Council
|
6 |
6 |
circa 1970s-1990s |
Folder, "Moss Island": correspondence; Little Falls Hydroelectric Associates; access to Moss Island; plan for proposed state
park (1976)
|
6 |
7 |
circa 1990s |
Folder, "Newspaper Articles": various copy articles |
6 |
8 |
circa 1990s |
Folder, "Old Erie Canal State Park": 1990s correspondence; "Possibilities for Proposed Beaver Management Plan for Old Erie
Canal State Park" (Gordon Betts)
|
6 |
9 |
circa 1970s |
Folder, "Old Oneida Lake Canal": 1970s correspondence concerning transfer, OPRHP interest, Town of Verona interest |
6 |
10 |
circa 1970s-1990s |
Folder, "Permit Correspondence (General)": correspondence concerning various canal permit issues in Region 2 |
6 |
11 |
circa 1970s |
Folder, "Park at Lock 20": 1970s, extensive material on development of park, 1973 proposal, 1974 plans |
6 |
12 |
circa 1970s |
Folder, "Park at Lock 22": 1970s correspondence, plans, "mini park" |
6 |
13 |
1992 |
Daily Lockage Reports and memos from Region 2 |
7 |
1 |
1967 |
Herkimer Hydraulic Canal; extensive background material; "Report on Herkimer Hydraulic Canal" (Stone and Webster, 1967); Bill
Tiel research, deeds
|
7 |
2 |