Cruising Guide Map: CS-11A  This is the view as you head north in Cayuga Lake and approach buoy RG (red-green) "CS" (Cayuga-Seneca).  To starboard is lock CS1, and to port past the buoy is the entrance to the Cayuga-Seneca Canal section of the NYS Canal System.

Cruising Guide Map: CS-11A    As we pass RG "CS" you have a view of the CS1 dam.  Larger boats should stay in the dark blue of the canal map.  We always make a point of "rounding the corner" at RG "CS", so at this point we veer to port and head into the Cayuga-Seneca canal.

Cruising Guide Map: CS-11A  We turned the Kopasetic around so the bow would face the RG "CS" buoy for a closer look.  It's both red and green because it is at the intersection of two water ways.

Cruising Guide Map: CS-11A  Now we've rounded the corner and are heading west into the mouth of the Cayuga-Seneca canal. Remember that the positions of the buoys can drift somewhat, but in general they seem pretty accurate to us.  Note buoy G57 to our port side up the canal a bit in this picture.

Cruising Guide Map: CS-11A  Now we approach R58 and start to see some of the cabins and homes that line the canal. Some are ramshackle throw together fishing cabins, others are quite well kept. WARNING: Do not exceed the canal's 10 MPH limit through here.

Cruising Guide Map: CS-11A  Now we are past the cabins and in the clear past R66 so you can speed up a bit to make time to lock CS2, however we prefer the slow pace to enjoy the scenery. You will frequently see Great Blue Heron and other birds resting along the canal - you can't see them if you zoom by too fast, not to mention the wear and tear on the canal shore.  Note: This is a good place to use your VHF radio to check the status of the lock.  Click here to read more about communication with the lockmaster.

Cruising Guide Map: CS-11A  Lock CS2 comes into view a bit past buoy G71.  There's a maintenance building on the port side of the canal, and you can start to see the lock walls around the trees to starboard.

Cruising Guide Map: CS-11A  As you round the bend CS2 starts to look more intimidating.  At this point in my first lock through, I was fairly nervous, even after all the books and the Cruising America's Waterways VHS tapes.

Cruising Guide Map: CS-11A  Behold lock CS2!  Now what?  Keep to the right side of the canal and ease up, because other boats may be leaving the lock going east toward you.  They will keep to your port side as they exit the lock.  You can move slowly toward the lock doors at this point, just go slow and don't move ahead of anyone that is already waiting for passage west.

Cruising Guide Map: CS-11A  Here is a good view of the spillway on the right side of the Cayuga-Seneca 2 lock.  This is a good place to wait for the lock to open if you can't immediately lock through.  Look for the traffic light near the doors - green means you are clear to proceed, red means wait there.  It's a good time to practice your "treading in place" boat skills, because this close to the lock there is usually a current to contend with - nothing major though.

Cruising Guide Map: CS-11A  This is a view of CS2's traffic light on the left.  The locks work on a first-come, first-serve basis, so wait your turn and don't move ahead of waiting boaters.  When that red light turns green, the doors will be open and you can enter the lock.  Stay clear of the spillway area to the right of the lock doors (marked with a on the map).