GPS- 43.066311, -76.472306
After leaving the dry dock,
it doesn't take long to arrive at the next canal structure:
The Skaneateles Creek Aqueduct in Jordan...
aka The Jordan Aqueduct...
which allowed boats to safely traverse the creek.
Here is its marker.
This aqueduct was part of the Enlarged Erie.
One of the tell-tale signs is its limestone construction.
More about this aqueduct which took 4 years to build starting in 1841
Some more pics
One of two aqueducts and multiple culverts that made
the Jordan Level one giant body of water for miles!
Two common nicknames for this stretch were the Jordan Level or the Jordan Summit!
When Clinton's Ditch first came through Jordan, it was in the same location as the enlargement through the village. It was just only 4ft deep and 40 ft wide
Also noteworthy, is on this map from 1834,
Skaneateles Creek is known as Skaneateles Outlet.
Similar to the naming pattern for the other Finger Lakes.
But, eventually the name morphed into what we call it today: Skaneateles Creek.
But eventually the canal was widened and deepened to
7ft deep and 70 ft wide and another aqueduct was built to accommodate the widened canal.
Made of sturdy limestone, it helped hold a trough
that allowed the water to pass separately over the creek.
This view is looking south to the dam that slowed the water
and allowed it to pass under the arches and trough without damaging the trough of the canal.
Another example of a dam at the Chittenango Creek aqueduct that slows and directs water
Water used to pass under all 4 arches.
The western most arch (on the far right) was used to feed a raceway,
the other three fed the creek
Here is the aqueduct in the 1859 map...it was right by the Jordan Dry Dock
Even today the some of the boards which helped prevent erosion
can be seen close to the dam.
But much is missing or buried, including parts of the uprights
they were taken down to prevent them from toppling and killing someone.
But if you look closely you can see part of the ledge
which once helped secure the wooden trough across the creek.
More about aqueduct design:
Here is probably one of the earliest photos of the Jordan Aqueduct
By the late 1800s Jordan saw a lot of canal traffic come through town...
the actual level of where the water once was here can be seen in this pic!
And in this one...the boat is passing over the aqueduct!
More great pics of Jordan can be found at Jordan Memories:
Another part missing is the height of the canal berm wall east of the aqueduct...
it certainly is no longer 7ft high!
In fact, the WPA put in steps to get up to the towpath on the aqueduct,
and about 15 years ago, the state helped make a ramp for the official Erie Canal Trail.
This section wouldn't hold much water anymore!
Important, integral parts like this make it impossible for the old canal
to be used or reused in most places...infrastructure has been long missing!
Here is a video of the water going under the aqueduct right after
a heavy rainstorm on October 26, 2021!
And another video at lower water the next day!
But why build a 4 arch aqueduct when only two seem necessary? Well, originally they were all necessary. Once, water did flow under all 4 arches! But why doesn't it now? Simple...Syracuse got water right to Skaneateles Lake. Once Syracuse began to use the water, that volume of water was no longer flowing down the creek. One by one mills heading northward to the Seneca River closed...and this is the volume of water that was left. Eventually the creek was directed to flow through the two most western arches and the other two were filled in. This is the water that was "left".
From this view you can see the two grassed-in arches
However, you can still see the skilled craftsmanship of stonemasons long ago...
from the curve of the footers...
To the curved cut, carved, dressed, and placed stones...
To the walls that walls that have withstood little maintenance in over 100 years...
not bad for 180 year old stone wall!
Eventually water will do what water does best: erode...
but until then, it offers some great views year-round!
But we have promises to keep, and miles and miles before we sleep
...as we press on toward our next stop!
