LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Water-
ford Flight of Locks on May 15, 2015

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and commem-
orate the distinguished histories of the communities which comprise the
noble body of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 100th Anniversary of the Barge Canal and the Waterford Flight
of Locks to be celebrated on Friday, May 15, 2015, in Waterford, New
York; and
WHEREAS, First opened in 1915, the Waterford Flight of Locks was
constructed to bypass the Cohoes Falls of the Mohawk River; its five-
lock flight changes water elevation by an impressive 169 feet over 1.5
miles, twice the total lift of the entire Panama Canal; and
WHEREAS, The Waterford Flight of Locks is recognized as a historic
engineering landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers, and has
been called the "greatest series of high lift locks in the shortest
distance in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Part of the New York State Barge Canal System, the
construction of the Waterford Flight of Locks assured the Village of
Waterford's vital role in canal transport throughout the first half of
the 20th century; and
WHEREAS, Through a strong commitment to preservation and encouragement
of sensitive development along its waterways, New York State has taken
the essential steps to ensure that the Canal System and its historic
legacy will be preserved and fostered in the 21st century as a vital
resource for generations to come; and
WHEREAS, Today, this important flight of five locks continues to serve
the needs of recreational boaters, and still provides the highest lift
in the shortest distance of any canal built in the nation; and
WHEREAS, Remaining fruitful over the ebb and flow of decades of growth
and change, Waterford Flight of Locks stands as testament to the ingenu-
ity and determination of the citizens of the State of New York; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Waterford Flight of Locks,
recognizing the significance of the role it continues to play in the
life of the communities of the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Waterford Flight of Locks.