The Feeder Canal is part of New York State’s 524 miles of canals which are maintained by the NYS Thruway Authority. The canal originates at Feeder Dam in Queensbury and terminates at McIntyre Park, Fort Edward. It is a 7-mile long park used by canoes and kayaks and is straddled by a towpath for bicycles and foot traffic. Its purpose is to feed water into the Champlain Canal allowing for navigation between the Hudson River and Lake Champlain. Thirteen masonry locks, each 100 feet long and l5 feet wide, were constructed to overcome the l30-foot vertical drop east of Hudson Falls. Water depth may be one to two feet but not more than four feet. A trip can cover five miles, taking about 2 hours to 2 l/2 hours.
Directions: I-87, Exit l8, and head east on Broad Street towards Glens Falls. Turn right onto Richardson Street to the parking area. A short carry leads to the canal. Once in the canal, follow Broad Street, past the hospital to Warren St., passing where Route 254 comes in on the left and on to River Street, which is marked NY 254, and then left on Route 4. In about 0.2 miles, turn right on Martindale Avenue and take-out is a block away at Martindale Par