I agree that the canal has other benefits besides allowing commercial and recreational vessels to pass. I don't believe that it has anywhere near the value stated. Politicians routinely overstate benefits to justify their positions. Does anybody really believe that a Tesla battery factory is going to result in $100 billion of economic activity for the state of Nevada?
Hydropower, town water and irrigation water could be supplied with or without operating the locks. But I can't believe that it is worth $6.5 billion annually.
Don't get me wrong. Since I don't live in NY state I guess I don't care if they subsidize the canal with toll money. But if it were run like a business I suspect it would have to charge many hundreds of dollars per boat to justify the lock expense, much less maintaining the associated dams and structures.
David
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