Erie Canal Lock #1 and Eastern Terminus in Albany, NY

Lock #1: (Satellite, they added landfill in the river to build I-787. And this is another town where the RoW of the canal is now used by Erie Blvd.)

Erie Canal overview

Historic Erie Canal posted five images with the comment:

The starting point of the Erie Canal.  City Atlas of Albany Ward 9 Erie Canal Lumber District Basin 1876

The lower section shows the Lumber District Basin just before Locks that connect to the Hudson River.  The alleyways were used as parking for various boat that navigated the Canal as well as load-unload cargo.

Tim Burns: Starting point was Rome.

Bob Sandore: Tim Burns I think the OP means the Eastern end of the canal, where it met the Hudson.

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The canal entered the city from the north. 

1893/93 Troy Quad @ 62,500

The many "alleyways" (slips) are marked on this map as well as the turning basin at Lock #1.

1893/93 Troy and Albany Quads @ 62,500

The canal came South from along the Mohawk River and then the Hudson River.

1893/93 Troy and Cohoes Quads @ 62,500