Genesee RiverWatch
Dear Friends and Supporters:
Newsletters are designed to inform our readers about projects, events and future work. In doing so, we are reminded that these accomplishments are only possible because of our dedicated staff, volunteers and Board Members. Just as importantly, your support fuels our work and ensures the Genesee River remains a treasure for this and future generations.
Please consider a donation today and become part of our Year-End Appeal designed to help us continue this important work for another year of progress and celebration.
With gratitude,
Mike Haugh, President of the Board
George Thomas, Executive Director
Genesee River Basin Summit 2025 “Emerging Issues”
Genesee RiverWatch hosted its annual Genesee River Basin Summit on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the RIT Inn and Conference Center. The topic of this year’s Summit was “Emerging Issues”. Approximately 100 stakeholders, experts, and community members participated in vital discussions on emerging issues affecting water quality and recreation in the Genesee River Basin. It was a unique opportunity to learn about critical topics impacting our watershed and to participate in meaningful conversations that can drive positive change. In addition to the presentations, 10 organizations exhibited their work on subjects such as recreation opportunities and improving the environment. Read more and download Presentations.
Kaeti Stoss receives Elizabeth Thorndike Environmental Leadership Award
Each year at our Summit, the Elizabeth Thorndike Environmental Leadership Award is given to individuals, organizations, projects, or events in recognition of significant contributions to our mission of “championing solutions that improve the water quality of the Genesee and initiatives that connect people to the River”. This year’s honor went to Kaeti Stoss. Kaeti is an Environmental Education Specialist in RIT’s College of Science where she has delivered high quality environmental education for our region with a focus on water quality, the Genesee River, and other water bodies. She has led community engagement and education efforts for numerous projects related to water quality and plastic pollution. Kaeti translates science for the community in a way that is accessible and actionable. Congratulations Kaeti! Learn more about Kaeti’s work.
Connecting People to the River
The Genesee River drains over 2,500 square miles as it makes its 157 miles northward journey from Potter County, Pennsylvania to the Rochester Harbor. Since our founding, we have been encouraging people to explore, experience and celebrate the river. We do this by creating awareness, increasing access for boating, fishing, hiking and biking, and organizing summer paddling programs.
Access to the River
Genesee River Blueway Map: The Genesee River Blueway Map is your guide to paddling the Genesee from its headwaters in Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario. It shows safe access sites and provides the river mileage between these points. Our website also features an interactive map you can explore. The Blueway map has been a great success since its launch in 2020 – downloaded nearly 5,000 times! Complementing the paper map program and interactive version, we have also placed signage at each access point on the river, showing the name of the access site, its mile point, and the river mileage to the next take-out location.
We are working hard on a major update of the Blueway Map to be launched in the spring of 2026. These improvements will include river-adjacent hiking trails and updated access point information, as well as real-time water levels in the interactive version of the map.
New Access Sites:
Geneseo/Avon: We are continuing to work toward new access sites in Geneseo and Avon using funding from the Kodak Environmental Response Trust. We have received state and federal permits but are waiting for revised contracts before work can begin. Construction is planned for spring/summer 2026.
Fillmore Access Site: A new river access site has been opened by Allegany County and Genesee River Wilds on the NW side of the East Main Street bridge over the river in the village of Fillmore.
Genesee River Paddling Program 2025
Since 2018, Genesee RiverWatch has partnered with the Genesee Waterways Center and the City of Rochester to offer a summer series of kayak paddles. We feel strongly that the best way to really appreciate the Genesee is to explore it at water level, joining the herons, egrets, turtles, muskrat, mink, and occasional eagles that make their homes on the river and its banks.
We wrapped up our 2025 season with four paddles, after two were canceled due to poor weather:
- July “Learn to Paddle/Ice Cream Social”
- August “River Clean-Up” Paddle”
- August “Walking for Rochester” Cleanup/Paddle event
- September “City Skyline” Paddle
Read more about being “On the Genesee 2025”.
River Cleanups
The season’s fourth and final cleanup of the Genesee River shoreline in Rochester is taking place on November 15, just as this newsletter goes out. This cleanup event is the brainchild of Heidi Duran, a senior at Our Lady of Mercy High School who is doing a capstone project on the Genesee River. Heidi asked Genesee RiverWatch to help organize the effort, and we readily agreed to partner with her. More on this in the next newsletter!
Improving Water Quality
Improving water quality in the Genesee River Basin stands at the heart of Genesee RiverWatch’s mission. Since 2014, our team has been dedicated to reducing sediment and phosphorus pollution through hands-on projects that deliver proven results and inspire change across the watershed. Each initiative not only improves water quality for communities and wildlife today but also serves as a model for broader impact throughout the region.
Stakeholder Engagement
Starting with our inaugural Genesee River Basin Summit in 2014, we have advocated for a comprehensive collaborative approach to improving water quality in the Genesee River watershed. We are pleased to see meaningful progress toward that goal.
At our 2023 Genesee River Basin Summit, Genesee RiverWatch presented its comprehensive proposal urging the establishment of regular and sustained funding from state and federal sources to increase the pace of sediment and phosphorus reduction work throughout the basin.
In 2024 the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) announced plans to update the Genesee River Basin Watershed Implementation Plan in partnership with other stakeholders – an initiative that aligns closely with our shared watershed goals.
In 2025 George Thomas, and other members of our Board, participated in working groups convened by the NYSDEC and the Southwest Lake Ontario Sub-Basin Working Group to support the development of this updated Watershed Improvement Plan. Learn more about how the Genesee River Basin is getting the attention it deserves
Project Updates
Babbitt’s Farm – Genesee River Streambank Restoration
The project will restore 1000 feet of highly eroded streambank on Babbitt’s Farm north of Caneadea, NY in Allegany County. The project is funded by a $200,000 grant from the Great Lakes Commission and a $50,000 in-kind match by the landowner, Babbitt’s Farm. We have submitted environmental permit applications to state and federal agencies and an archeological assessment is underway. The state determined that class 3 wetlands are present near the project site. A wetland delineation was completed in September and submitted to NYSDEC for review. Construction is planned for Spring/Summer 2026.
Rush Creek Riparian Restoration
This project will stabilize the bank and redirect the flow of Rush Creek to its 2007 alignment. This will prevent erosion both on the creek itself and on the west bank of the Genesee, where the creek meets the river. The project is funded by a $212,000 grant from National Fish & Wildlife Foundation/Sustain Our Great Lakes and $245,000 worth of matching work by Allegany County Highway Department and Allegany Soil and Water Conservation District. This is a complex project involving significant regulatory/environmental issues and several landowners. We are moving forward with the project design and have begun preliminary investigations of impacted landowners. An archeological assessment is underway.
Year-End Donation Appeal
Genesee RiverWatch has been the Voice of the River since 2014. When you give to Genesee RiverWatch your donation helps support our work to protect and improve its water quality, to connect people to the river and to expand partnerships with local communities to increase access to the iver.
With your generous support, together we can create a healthy and sustainable Genesee River ecosystem that is an environmental, recreational and economic asset for all generations. Please consider making your tax-deductible gift today in the form of an online donation (PayPal, credit card, check or Via Venmo: @RiverWatch).
