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The Erie Canal rises 566 feet from the Hudson River to Lake Erie through 57 (originally 83) locks. From tide-water level at Troy, the Erie Canal rises through a series of locks in the Mohawk Valley to an elevation of 420 feet above sea-level at the summit level at Rome. Continuing westward, it descends to an elevation of 363 feet above sea-level at the junction with the Oswego Canal, and finally rises to an elevation of 565.6 feet above sea-level at the Niagara River.
In the early days of the canal, when horses and mules walked the towpath, this is how a canal boat passed through a lock:
(Animated gif by Terry Pepper; used with permission)
Today, boat owners are required to follow certain rules to "lock through". The official New York State Canal System web site has a page explaining How to "Lock Through" Canal System Locks.
The original Erie Canal locks were 90 feet long and 15 feet wide, and were designed for a canal boat 61 feet long and 7 feet wide, with a 3 1/2 foot draft.
The locks of today are 328 feet long and 45 feet wide, and can accomodate vessels 300 feet long and 43.5 feet wide. See the Canal Profile for the height and location of the current locks.
http://www.eriecanal.org/locks.html
