6th Annual Genesee River Basin Summit:

A Report to the Community

May 7th, 2019 - 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM - RIT Campus

Louise Slaughter Hall, Building 78, Rooms 2240-2210

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Listen to WXXI's Connections: What did we learn from the Genesee River Report Card? | WXXI News

Rochester, NY, April 29, 2019 - Genesee RiverWatch has released the first-ever “Report Card” grading the water quality and usability of the Genesee River and its major tributaries. The Report Card was developed to raise awareness of the environmental challenges facing the Genesee River Basin so that actions can be taken to improve the state of the watershed and preserve its beauty for generations to come.

“We have been developing this Report Card for a long time and are pleased to release it today. We hope the public will take the time to read the full report. We are happy to answer questions about its grades and their implications. We are even happier to answer questions about how individuals and organizations can help us continue to improve the river’s water quality and its recreational opportunities,” said George Thomas, Executive Director of Genesee RiverWatch.

The overall grade for the Genesee River Basin is a “C”, based on the quality of the river’s water at Rochester. This, in turn, reflects the cumulative effects on water quality of all the activities that take place along the Main Stem of the River and all its sub-watersheds stretching to northern Pennsylvania. Canaseraga Creek received the lowest grade – “D” – of all the sub-watersheds, indicating poor water quality and limits to human usage. Oatka Creek and Black Creek received grades of “B” - the highest grades of all the Genesee River subwatersheds, indicating good water quality and better opportunities for human usage. The Upper Basin of the river (south of Letchworth Park), Honeoye Creek and Conesus Creek sub-watersheds received grades of “C.” In summary, there are portions of the Genesee River Basin that are environmentally in good health. However, major portions of the watershed are degraded to varying degrees.

Download the full Press Release

Download the Report Card

Tickets are now available for the June 20th and August 18th cruises!

Join Genesee RiverWatch on an exclusive cruise of the Lower Genesee River Gorge with experts on the Flora-Fauna and the History of the River. Guests will board the Harbor Town Belle and be treated to a view of the River seen only by a few. We will go upriver about 5 miles from the Port of Rochester to the 104 Bridge into an area that feels like a wilderness all within just a short distance of downtown Rochester.

Tom Snyder of the Seneca Park Zoo will be with us  to talk about  the flora and fauna of the lower River Gorge as we pass marshes, wetlands, sheer cliffs and dense forest. An expert on the history of the River will explain past and present influences of industry and the city's history.

The Thursday, June 20th cruise runs from 5:30-8:30pm. The Sunday, August 18th cruise runs from 3:00pm to 6pm. A buffet dinner will be served onboard. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early to board.

Tickets are $35 for adults / $20 for children under 12 and includes buffet dinner. There will be a cash bar. Tickets are limited, so get yours soon!

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Download the final report from our Genesee River Basin Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Plan in pdf format. A synopsis of our methodology may also be viewed in the storymap below.

Click the icon in the lower, left corner of the window below to view the synopsis full screen: Click icon like this below:

Best viewed full screen. Click [ ] in the lower, right-hand corner. Please also see the new final report, above, that explains what is being shown in this short video.

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Download new   pdf Genesee RiverWatch brochure (344 KB) !