BUFFALO, N.Y. — When you take a trip to the Erie Canal, kayaks and canoes are not the only boats you can find still heading down the stream.
“Shipping is still alive and well on the entire New York state canal system. And that was the economic engine 200 years ago when the canal opened,” said Rebecca Hughes, executive deputy director of the New York State Canal Corporation.
While recreation is the primary economic engine for the canal today, barges still use the canal to move commerce…