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38 A Unique Treasure, The Restoration of the 1844 Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct in Camillus, New York David W. Beebe, DDS., President, Camillus Canal Society & Camillus Erie Canal Park, Camillus, NY, USA Historical Significance- About the original 1820 Clinton s Ditch Aqueduct site. Due to need and success the canal was straightened, deepened and widened, and the 1844 Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct First Enlargement began its operation in the summer of In 1882 there was a serious washout caused by muskrats. Around 1920 the canal was abandoned, making way for the new commercial Erie Barge Canal. Preparation of restoring the Aqueduct At the Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct, we spent five years repositioning limestone blocks. The lessons learned restoring this structure can be applied to many national projects. The outgrowth of what has been done in Camillus, strictly by volunteers, has served as a model for many communities along the historic canal. Restoration Project September 2008 to August, 2009 The restoration project began in September of Debris, silt and vegetation that had collected between the aqueduct piers since 1920 were removed. An artificial road made from 14 truck loads of stone from the Jamesville quarry and timber rafts supported the long stick excavator which systematically took buckets of oozing soil from the bays. The operators of the heavy machinery were amazing. The trunk timbers were constructed from pressure treated southern yellow pine glued together (gulam) and allowed to cure for a period of three months prior to their installation. The trunk is expected to last between 30 to 50 years At the end of the restoration process the two retaining dams were removed allowing the waters to refill the aqueduct. The 2 mile waterway now stretches from Sims Store Museum to Warners Road, Route 173. This is the only restored navigable aqueduct with a wooden trunk in New York State. David W. Beebe, For 38 years I have been the volunteer director of the Town of Camillus Erie Canal Park and Sim s Store Museum. Under my direction, the Camillus Erie Canal Park has grown from the original 164 acres to 420. Over 150 active trained volunteers manage and operate the seven mile lineal water-filled canal. We provide extensive school programs, narrated boat rides on the historical canal for Sunday visitors, dinner cruises and tours for many diverse groups.i also develop and construct the many canal exhibits within Sims Store Museum, outside buildings and static displays. After struggling for many years, we are pleased to announce that our 1844 Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct has been restored. It is the largest of the smallest aqueducts on the First enlargement. of the 32 aqueducts. Thirty -one had wooden trunks. This is the only restored navigable aqueduct with a wooden trunk in New York State. We are looking forward to our Grand Celebration on May 22, For the past 20 years I have been an active member of the Board of Directors of the Canal Society New York State, serving on the ad hoc committee to establish an historical Erie Canal Site at Port Byron in conjunction with the Thruway Authority. At the 2000 World Canal Conference in Rochester, New York, as a guest lecturer, and my wife and I received "The Spirit

39 of the Canal" award. We have visited and studied the canals of Northern and Southern France as well as the waterways of Britain. Locally, I enjoy lecturing, leading field trips to local canal sites and presenting programs to civic, library and historical organizations.for over 10 years I have been one of the directors of the Nine Mile Creek Conservation Council which has developed a water trail along Nine Mile Creek. This group was also responsible for saving and creating the Camillus Unique Forest Area. I look forward to the daily discoveries at the Camillus Erie Canal Park and surrounding sites.