Crossing the Schoharie Creek presented a challenge because whenever it flooded, traffic remained at a standstill. Plans were made to build an aqueduct to carry the canal over the creek and avoid the problems encountered during flooding. The aqueduct was built downstream from the original crossing, and a new section of canal was dug to meet it. The Erie Canal became so successful that it could not accommodate traffic demands, since its single-chambered locks allowed boats to pass through only one at a time. In the mid-1830s, New York State began enlarging the Erie Canal by widening the boat channel to 70 feet and deepening it to 7 feet, while replacing 83 single locks with 72 double locks. Two lock chambers, each 110 feet long and 18 feet wide, were built side by side so eastbound and westbound boats could lock through at the same time.
