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NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



teresting to note that the recent projects have returned to the 

 canalization of streams. 



Among the changes proposed by Mr Sweet, in his paper in 

 1884, were the following: 



One essential change in profile consists in extending the Rome 

 level westward to lock 57, between Newark and Lyons, in Wayne 

 county, throwing out the locks 47 to 5G, inclusive. This change 

 in profile can be effected by swinging the route to the southward, 

 near Newark, crossing the Canandaigua outlet and occupying 

 ground of the proper elevation along the south side of the Clyde 

 river, and crossing the Seneca river at the narrowest part of its 

 valley, which is near its junction with the outlet of Cayuga lake, 

 from Avhence it should gradually approach the present route of 

 the canal and connect with or cross it just east of the city of 

 Syracuse. 



Fig. G8 Cross-section of Erie canal below Lockport. 



Mr Sweet states that the only serious difficulty encountered 

 on this route is the crossing of the Seneca river, where the water 

 surface of the canal must be nearly 50 feet above that of the 

 river, and for nearly two miles over 40 feet above the surface 

 upon which its embankment must be built. 



This change of route, to secure a continuously descending pro- 

 file from the lake to the Hudson river, is the only deviation from 

 the route of the old canal that is absolutely necessary, but it is 

 believed that the construction would be simplified and cheapened, 

 and the best possible waterway secured by the adoption of an 

 entirely new route from Syracuse eastward. 



Lower ground can be obtained for the Home level, except at 

 the summit itself, by moving the line northward; thus by lower- 

 ing the elevation of this level throughout, lessening the difficul- 

 ties of the Seneca river crossing, and from a point a little west 

 of I'tica eastward to the Hudson, the Mohawk river should be 

 canalized by Hie erection of locks and movable dams at suitable 

 points in iis course, and the deepening and rectification of its 

 channel. 



