Cayuga Watercourse
TYLin was awarded the planning and design of the new Cayuga Watercourse in Cayuga County, New York, by the New York Power Authority.
The watercourse is one of the first projects under New York State’s (NYS) Reimagine the Canals Initiative to reinvigorate water recreation on the NYS Canal System. The venue will enhance the local community, increase eco-tourism, and draw sport enthusiasts to the region.
The project is being developed at Canal Lock CS-1 on the Cayuga-Seneca Canal in New York’s Finger Lakes Region. The site is bounded by Cayuga Lake, the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, River Road, and the Seneca River and includes portions of the canal, the river, and an island.
Design elements incorporate three primary areas, the Mainland, the Island, and the Whitewater Park. The world-class whitewater destination will be constructed directly downstream of the existing tainter gate dam with the tainter gates providing the water feed.
The project includes parking and circulation, a comfort rinse changing station, a pedestrian bridge, an observation area, a boat and equipment livery, picnic areas, trails, a fishing area, a sturgeon spawning habitat enhancement, and a flat shoreline area for kayak launching.
To secure the project, TYLin emphasized its 25 years of experience working on NYS Canal facilities, along with proven expertise in locks and dams, pedestrian bridges, park infrastructure, and managing large multi-discipline teams with award-winning success.
Project Highlights:
- TYLin will oversee civil, structural, environmental, geotechnical, mechanical, and electrical engineering, along with whitewater course design, landscape architecture, wayfinding, architecture, cost estimating, survey and mapping, and code compliance.
- TYLin’s team includes 13 consultants with unique expertise in each of the major project components, including ecological studies, State Historic Preservation Office and cultural resources, and recreational market studies.
Image Courtesy: New York Power Authority