the dam by riding over it in a small boat or canoe, however if the boat should turn sideways and capsize while crossing the dam, the occupants can be trapped in what is referred to as the hydraulic, and become trapped beneath the falling water. Stay well away from both the top as well as the bottom of any dam. Conventional larger dams found at power generation plants as well as any water impoundment can also be extremely dangerous. Dangerous currents, large vertical drops, and steep spillways are just a few of the many potential hazards which can be found at these sites. If the dam's purpose is power generation you can probably also expect to find overhead power lines which may present a hazard in themselves. Usually a dam is marked with warning or exclusionary buoys. Stay well outside these markers never let yourself drift into these extremely hazardous areas in and around dams. Locks The New York State Canal system connects hundreds of miles of lakes and rivers stretching across the Empire State. Four waterways, the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga-Seneca canals 56