Events Calendar
In This Section
Hobo union picks Akron for national convention
Spread holiday cheer, not the flu at parties
Serve edamame for the nutrition
Newbies get help to start cooking
How to stretch meatloaf recipe
Food Notes: Join Lisa at culinary club's benefit dinner
New eateries expand menu of options
Ceremonies and special events to honor Veterans
Retired Green officer finally gets Bronze Star
John Rosemond: Children adapt to different discipline styles
Most Read Stories
Suitcase causes bomb scare at Akron bus terminal
Akron City Council OKs higher speed on I-77
Chapel Hill isn't rolling right along
Motorcyclist killed, wife injured in Stark County crash
New eateries expand menu of options
Man says he was punched, robbed by 3 people in parking lot
Patrick McManamon: Here's what the Browns should try the rest of the season
Louisville athlete commits to play for Boston College
Family found dead in Ohio home
Blogs:
Pets:
It Takes All Kinds
The Heldenfiles:
Tuesday Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
An interesting thought from a reader
Akron Zips:
Akron vs. Mount Union — Liveblog
Tribe Matters:
Indians announce spring dates
Cleveland Browns:
Mangini doesn't name a quarterback
Kent State Sports:
Flashes interested in another Cincinnati player
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Shaq: It’s All About Winning Championships
Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeyes Roll 100-60 / Season Outlook
Varsity Letters:
Report: Walsh baseball player commits
All Da King's Men:
More On The Fort Hood Jihadist
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Simply Incapable of Telling The Truth
Akron Law Café:
Health Care Financing Reform: (63) Commonwealth Fund Report on Primary Care
See Jane Style:
Muffle Your Muffler
Car Chase:
Clock Tender- Extending the Life of Collector Car Clocks
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Rumors: Akron Starbucks Closing
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Jack is looking for a trip to Southern Ohio the week of November 16.
Sound Check:
Aeromsith looking for new singer as Steven Tyler contemplates solo career
HRLite House:
Personal Rant – Why People Do Not Live in Northeast Ohio
Akron Gamer:
Video: 'Modern Warfare 2' hits the streets
U.S. funds sought for dredging
By Bill Lilley
Beacon Journal
Published on Monday, Jul 28, 2008
CANAL FULTON: The nearly 40-year run on the Ohio and Erie Canal of the replica St. Helena canalboats could come to an end in less than a month if a federal grant of nearly $500,000 to pay for dredging doesn't come through.
The current boat, St. Helena III, has been damaged by high spots in the 11/4-mile route from the Canal Fulton Canalway Center, where it docks, to Lock 4 in Lawrence Township.
The high spots have been growing for years and were anticipated to be a problem this year, but the situation has been exacerbated by heavy rains. Total rainfall this year in the area is nearly 61/2 inches above normal.
Canal Fulton City Manager Mark Cozy said the rainfall is a double-edged sword. It keeps the water high, but adds to the silting problem.
''The depth of the water in the canal is fine,'' Cozy said. ''We need about 3 feet for optimum operating conditions, and we can run it at 21/2 feet.
''The problem is all the high spots created by the silting. Every time it rains, the dirt and everything else is washed into the canal.''
Consequently, the St. Helena III has been reduced from a six-days-a-week operation to Saturday and Sunday. And instead of three runs on each day, it now makes two.
''The boat has a leak from hitting the high spots,'' Cozy said. ''And it just takes too many man hours from workers at the Canal Fulton Heritage Society to constantly pump water out of the boat.''
The boat also has been getting stuck in the turnaround at Lock 4, causing a simple job to take 30 minutes.
Cozy said the area of the canal near Canal Fulton was dredged in the late 1960s and again about a decade ago. He said the St. Helena III has been performing part of the dredging itself on its runs.
''It's the boat that's been keeping the pathway open to the canal as it scrapes through the high spots,'' Cozy said.
But that exercise has taken its toll.
The Canal Fulton Heritage Society normally keeps the boat active until late September, but this year plans to end weekend runs in the middle of August.
Next year is a big question mark, Cozy said.
''The boat is in serious need of repair,'' Cozy said. ''And if the dredging isn't done, the Canal Fulton Historical Society is going to keep the boat in dry dock all next year simply because it takes too much time and effort to keep repairing the boat and pumping the water out.
''It's a really big project because it's more than just dredging the canal. The towpath also needs fixed. It would probably take about $2 million to get everything fixed.''
Cozy said the Stark County commissioners own the canal and towpath and the Stark County Park District is in charge of managing both. But neither the commissioners nor the parks have money for dredging.
Cozy said he put in a request through longtime U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula's office for $470,000 for fiscal year 2009.
He remains optimistic because the canal and towpath are part of the National Heritage Corridor and received tremendous support from Regula, who helped build the St. Helena II with other volunteers in the early 1960s.
But Cozy knows he's fighting the clock — Regula is retiring at the end of this year — and other high-priority items.
Regula's office confirmed it received the request, but said it is subject to budget negotiations involving drilling and energy issues.
To Cozy, ''we need to have the St. Helena operational . . . it creates a lot of tourism for Canal Fulton.
''It's also the city's identity, and we don't want to lose that, either.''
Bill Lilley can be reached at 330-996-3811 or blilley@thebeaconjournal.com.
CANAL FULTON: The nearly 40-year run on the Ohio and Erie Canal of the replica St. Helena canalboats could come to an end in less than a month if a federal grant of nearly $500,000 to pay for dredging doesn't come through.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
