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As we look ahead to the 2025 World Canals Conference next year in Buffalo, our overseas travel earlier this summer to join international peers gathered in Bydgoszcz, Poland for the 2024 conference has reaffirmed that New York State is not alone in either the myriad of challenges or opportunities shared by operators of canals and inland waterway systems around the globe.
Historic Bydgoszcz Canal
In June, I was joined by Executive Deputy Director Rebecca Hughes and Eastern Division Canal Engineer Joe Moloughney, part of a diverse private/public New York delegation attending the four-day conference in Poland’s North-Central region along the confluence of the Brda and Vistula rivers. More than 200 delegates from 15 countries were welcomed to the host city beginning with a weekend water festival alongside the historic Bydgoszcz Canal, setting the tone for a robust schedule of conference sessions and excursions in the week ahead of us.
Bydgoszcz Community Water Festival
During the week, Rebecca and Joe presented technical papers as part of a series of conference breakout sessions. They represented New York State, Canals and NYPA exceptionally well by sharing some of New York’s most challenging operational issues on the Canal system: aquatic invasive species, flood mitigation, and earthen embankment management.
Mitigating the Spread of Invasive Species
Joe Moloughney
Delegates received an in-depth overview of measures the Canal Corporation has implemented – working in cooperation with state and local entities – to combat the threat of the Round Goby on the Champlain Canal. As is true for many European inland waterways, the Champlain connects into larger bodies of water (Lake Champlain) and borders other countries, states and managing authorities (Canada, Vermont, and the Lake Champlain Basin Program), thus elevating public concern for the potential spread of the destructive Goby into these adjacent territories. Joe explained that preventative measures put into place along the Champlain are not without challenges to our Canal workforce or some inconvenience to the boating public, including navigation delays caused by a limited schedule of lock passage times (three daily) and double draining of the first four of the Champlain’s 11 locks.
Revitalizing New York’s Historic Canal for the Third Century of Operation
Rebecca Hughes
Supporting the conference central theme of “Intersection of Environment and Economic Development,” Rebecca’s presentation detailed the Canal Corporation’s approach to public relations on environmental issues. This includes vegetation management under our Earthen Embankment Integrity Program and the impact of the increased intensity of high-water events along the Canal through the Upstate Flood Mitigation Task Force.
Like so many topics discussed in Bydgoszcz, challenges related to vegetation management and flood mitigation were common themes among our international waterway peers. Both overseas and at home, increased financial support for canals is essential. Rebecca underscored Governor Hochul’s commitment of new funding in the current New York budget to move forward with key elements of our flood mitigation and embankment management action plans.
Celebrating Poland’s History, Culture, and Architecture
Wine Country, Przy Talerzku Vineyards, Topolino
Old Palace, Ostromecko
Musicians outside the New Palace, Ostromecko
Beyond the benefit of networking and information sharing of the conference sessions, there was also time to enjoy the history, culture, and unique beauty of this eastern European region. A special highlight was the conference evening gala dinner program hosted at the mid-18th century Mostowski Palace in Ostromecko, in the Vistula Valley just outside Bydgoszcz.
‘Passing the Torch’
Bydgoszcz Mayor Rafat Bruski makes the hand-off to our New York team
During conference closing ceremonies Bydgoszcz Mayor Rafat Bruski gave a warm send off to all, including the requisite passing of the World Canals Conference “torch” on to New York State for our hosting duties in 2025. In this case, the mayor presented us with a replica ship’s wheel inscribed with the international navigation coordinates of Bydgoszcz and Buffalo
A special video greeting and message from Gov. Kathy Hochul to conference delegates in Bydogoszcz
On behalf of our entire New York delegation, I was proud to thank Mayor Bruski and our international colleagues for a truly memorable week in his city and introduce a special video message from Governor Kathy Hochul inviting our international partners and friends to reconvene with us next year in New York’s Queen City for WCC 2025.
Bydogoszcz World Canals Conference attendees, Rother's Mill Island Conference Center
I invite you to see what New York has in store for the world next year at www.WWC2025Buffalo.com.
Highway entrance, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile: The valley, located in San Pedro de Atacama, 3,500 metres over the sea level, is difficult to access but still has become popular due to the explosion of colors in its hills that gave it its name. A true color palette is the Rainbow Valley, a mix of reds, greens, different grays, whites, and more. For many, the predominant reddish hue, dryness and hundreds of rocks scattered haphazardly on its ground evoke the imagery of the distant planet Mars... San Pedro de Atacama is a Chilean town and commune in El Loa Province, Antofagasta Region. Wikipedia
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