Black Rock Lock
Buffalo, New York
About the Lock
The Black Rock Channel extends from Buffalo Harbor to the Black Rock Lock. It is three and one-half miles in length. The Federal navigation channel has a minimum width of 200 feet. Pleasure craft are required to yield the right-of-way to commercial vessels due to the confined waters of the channel.
The Black Rock Lock and the Black Rock Channel provide safe passage for vessels to travel between Buffalo Harbor and Tonawanda Harbor around the reefs, rapids and fast currents that exist in the upstream portion of the Niagara River.
In combination with the New York Erie Canal, the Black Rock Lock and Black Rock Channel provides an inland water route between Lake Erie and the Atlantic Ocean. Branch canals in the New York State Canal System provide vessels access to Lake Erie and Lake Champlain.