N.Y. Canal Law § 81

§ 81. Deposit of refuse in navigable waters. It shall be unlawful to\nthrow from or otherwise deposit, either from or out of any float or from\nthe shore, wharf, manufacturing establishment or mill of any kind,\nrefuse or other matter of any description, into any of the waters of the\ncanal system or into any waters dredged at public expense and used for\ncanal purposes. Every person that shall violate the provisions of this\nsection shall be subject to damages to the amount as will compensate the\ncorporation for the expenses involved in restoring such waters to its\nuseful condition to meet the needs of canal navigation. It shall also be\nunlawful for any person to obstruct the navigation of a canal by the\nimproper mooring, management or conduct of a float, or by placing any\nobstruction on the banks thereof.\n