Page "Chenango Canal" Paragraph 11

The extension was not the only segment with operational problems.

The Chenango Canal had its problems, as well.

Most significantly, the Chenango Co. had difficulty performing its regular maintenance due to the often prohibitively high repair costs.

As with most canal lines in the East, they began operation carrying too much debt.

If the company did not show a wide enough margin from the user fees during the season, they would end the year at a deficit.

Also, as with many similar canals, the Chenango's greatest error was that they initially installed a system using wooden locks.

With New York's frigid winters and freeze-thaw cycles, the wood never held up for very long.

As soon as one section had been repaired, another would give out, and it usually took more time and money than was available before they were all in operation.

The original structures were incrementally all rebuilt.

Ultimately and at great cost, the process culminated in the construction of stone locks.