Genesee RiverWatch“160 Lifeline” Coconut Cream Ale is Available at Heroes Brewing Co.
| Thank you to all that joined us a few weeks ago at the Heroes Brewing Co. beer release party for “160 Lifeline”, a Coconut Cream Ale created especially for Genesee RiverWatch in reference to the 160 miles the Genesee River flows from Gold, PA, to Rochester and in celebration of it being the lifeline of Rochester. It was great to see so many of our friends there! If you weren’t able to attend, we hope you’ll stop by their location at 543 Atlantic Avenue (open Wednesdays-Saturdays) and give “160 Lifeline” a try. It’s available on tap and also as a four-pack. The best part? One dollar from the sale of every four-pack of “160 Lifeline” will go to Genesee RiverWatch as a way for Heroes Brewing to help support our organization. The back of the can reads: “The Center for Environmental Initiatives (CEI), the organization that became Genesee RiverWatch, was founded in 1974 by Elizabeth Thorndike. Its original mission was to act as a clearinghouse for environmental information, a covener of experts, and an enabler in solving the serious problems of climate change and acid rain deposition. Today, Genesee RiverWatch works to improve the water quality of the Genesee River and its tributaries to create environmental, recreational, and economic assets for its communities. They also connect people to the river, encouraging them to explore, experience, and celebrate the river. Their approach to this work is based on core values established over 40 years ago and include a commitment to inform and educate, to base their actions on science and data, and to collaborate with others. We are proud to donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this can to help support the mission of Genesee RiverWatch to help preserve this tremendous resource in our city.” Thank you, Heroes Brewing Co.! |
2022 Genesee River Basin Summit Workshops
Genesee RiverWatch has organized the Genesee River Basin Summits since 2014 as part of our efforts to Inform and Educate both river stakeholders and the public. Our 8th “Summit” was a series of four online workshops held in May.
Workshop #1 What does the public think about the Genesee River Basin?
May 12th, 2022, 8:30 to 10:00 am
Topic: Presentation on the results of a public opinion survey conducted by Causewave Community Partners on water quality issues in the Genesee River.
Replay of the On-line Workshop: REPLAY (YouTube)
2021 Community H2O Survey Results Presentation:
| Topic | Time | Presenter | Description |
| Opinion Survey Results | 75 minutes | Tiffany Paine-Cirrincione, Causewave Community Partners, on behalf of the H2O Hero Program | Review of the results of a public opinion survey on water quality issues in the Genesee River basin. |
| Panel Discussion | 15 minutes | All | Questions & Answers |
Workshop # 2: Got Fish?
May 17th, 2022, 8:30 – 10:00 am
Topic: A walk through of the interactive map developed by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) that provides easy-to-find information on how and where to access fishing along the many rivers and streams in New York State.
Note: This fish is a sheepshead/freshwater drum caught in the Lower River below the Veteran’s Bridge.
Replay of the On-line Workshop: REPLAY (YouTube)
DEC Info Locator Presentation:
| Topic | Time | Presenter | Description |
| General Access | 70 minutes | Scott Donnelly, DEC | How to use the DEC Info Locator which is an interactive map that lets you access DEC documents and public data about the environmental quality of specific sites in New York State, as well as outdoor recreation information. |
| Panel Discussion | 20 minutes | All | Question and Answers |
Workshop #3: What’s the NYS plan for the Genesee River Watershed?
May 19th, 2022, 8:30 to 10:00 am
Topic: Presentation and discussion of New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (NYSDEC’s) Genesee River watershed management plan including what DEC has planned to reduce sediment and phosphorus loads in the river.
Replay of the On-line Workshop: REPLAY (YouTube)
Note: First 15-20 minutes of this workshop were not recorded
Watershed Management Plan Presentation:
| Topic | Time | Presenter | Description |
| Genesee River Watershed Plan | 35 minutes | Ryan Elliott, NYSDEC | Why it is important? What is it intended to accomplish? Status of wastewater treatment plant activities. |
| Plan Implementation | 35 minutes | Kelly Emerick, Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District | Implementation of agricultural aspects of plan. |
| Panel Discussion | 15 minutes | All | Question & Answers |
Workshop # 4: Where Can I Paddle?
May 26th, 2022, 8:30 to 10:00 am
Topic: A review of the latest developments affecting canoe/kayak access to the Genesee River.
Replay of the On-line Workshop: REPLAY (YouTube)
Haugh: Middle River Access and Paddles Presentation:
Mroczek: Overview of Roc the Riverway Presentation:
| Topic | Time | Presenter | Description |
| Access Plans and Paddling Events | 15 minutes | Mike Haugh, Genesee RiverWatch | An update on new and upgraded sites from Mt. Morris to Rochester and paddling events for 2022. |
| Allegany County Access | 15 minutes | William Hart, Genesee River Wilds | Update on access improvement plans in Allegany County |
| ROC the Riverway | 25 minutes | Jeff Mroczek, City of Rochester | Description of the status of the ROC the Riverway program and how it relates to river access. |
| Panel Discussion | 10 minutes | All | Questions & Answers |
A Sincere Thank You to the Orvis Co. and Their Customers
As we approach the holiday season, we want to again thank the Orvis Company for featuring Genesee RiverWatch in their “Great Giveback Days” promotion last May. You will recall that this generous program offered a $10 Orvis donation to RiverWatch for every purchase of at least $10 at their Pittsford Plaza store. From the photo above, you can see that the partnership between Orvis and its customers resulted in a terrific donation of $4,155 in support of our work on the Genesee River!
While this promotion may be over for now, we at Genesee RiverWatch want to continue to support our local businesses – especially those that understand our Mission and go out of their way to help us “champion solutions that improve the water quality of the Genesee and initiatives that connect people to the River”. If your holiday shopping list includes high-quality men’s and women’s outdoor clothing, or items for fly fishermen or dog lovers, please see Jim Wallace and his staff at Orvis in Pittsford Plaza.
Many, many thanks again to Orvis and their customers for supporting Genesee RiverWatch!
“160 Lifeline” Beer Release Party 10/20/22 for Genesee RiverWatch at Heroes Brewing Co.
| Genesee RiverWatch invites you to a beer release party! WHERE: Heroes Brewing Company, 543 Atlantic Avenue, Rochester WHEN: Thursday, October 20, 2022, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM WHY: Heroes Brewing has brewed a Coconut Cream Ale especially for Genesee RiverWatch – named 160 Lifeline – in reference to the 160 miles the Genesee flows from Gold, PA, to Rochester and in celebration of it being the lifeline of Rochester. Heroes Brewing was founded in 2020 to honor the unsung heroes in our area. For every beer they make, they partner with a local non-profit or charity; one dollar from the sale of every four-pack of 160 Lifeline will go to Genesee RiverWatch. Please join us in celebration of the Genesee River and all it has to offer! If you are unable to join us, we hope you’ll stop by Heroes Brewing another time and pick up a four-pack (or more!) of this specially brewed beer. 160 Lifeline will only be offered for a limited time, so pay a visit to Heroes Brewing when you’re out and about this fall. Find out more about the generosity of Heroes Brewing Company at their website: https://www.heroesbrewco.com/ Hope to see you there! Your friends at Genesee RiverWatch |
Seeking Nominations for 2022 Environmental Leadership Awards
Genesee RiverWatch is seeking nominations of individuals, organizations, projects, or events for its Elizabeth Thorndike Environmental Leadership Awards. The Awards are given to recognize significant contributions to our Mission of “championing solutions that improve the water quality of the Genesee and initiatives that connect people to the River”. Nominations are due by October 31st, 2022 for review and selection by the Board of Directors of Genesee RiverWatch.
Nominees will have have demonstrated success in (1) improving the water quality of the Genesee River Basin; (2) creating environmental, recreational, and economic assets for their communities; and/or (3) connecting people to the river by encouraging them to explore, experience, and celebrate the river.
A separate category of the awards recognizes volunteers whose work on behalf of Genesee RiverWatch has significantly aided us in furthering our Mission.
The awards are given in honor of Elizabeth Thorndike, longtime supporter of Genesee RiverWatch and one of the founders of its predecessor organization, the Center for Environmental Information.
Past Award recipients have included:
- Commissioner Norm Jones – Petten Street Access
- Robert Stryker – Jaycox Creek Agricultural Best Management Practices
- Michael Kannard – Citizen Monitoring Program Volunteer
- Oatka Creek Watershed Committee
- Seneca Park Zoo
- City of Rochester
- Genesee Headwaters Watershed Association
- Kaeti Stoss/Delta Environmental
- Mallards Dairy
- Volunteers: Chris Widmaier and Juliana Lanz.
Nominations are due by October 31st, 2022 (see instructions on form).
Awards will be recognized in person by Genesee RiverWatch and featured on its website, on YouTube and in selected media outlets.
Beginner & Experienced Paddlers: Join Us On the Genesee River August 13, 2022
| The 2022 Genesee River Paddling Program Continues on Saturday, August 13, 2022, for both Beginner and Intermediate+ Paddlers at the Genesee Waterways Center. Join us at 10:00AM on Saturday, August 13th for the third event in the 2022 Genesee River Paddling season, presented by Genesee RiverWatch, the Genesee Waterways Center, and the City of Rochester. We will leave from, and return to, the Waterways Center at 149 Elmwood Avenue on the west side of the river next to the Genesee Valley Sports Complex. Beginning paddlers, including those who have never been in a kayak before, will learn how to enter, exit, paddle, and control their boat. Knowing these basic skills will vastly increase your enjoyment on the water and is a prerequisite for what we have termed “intermediate” events later this summer and fall. After a short lesson near the dock, we will put this knowledge to use in exploring the river, the Erie Canal, and Red Creek. Experienced paddlers can skip these lessons and join a separately guided group to explore at their own pace. The highlight for both groups will be the secluded and twisting path of Red Creek with its abundant wildlife and sense of being isolated from the hectic pace of life nearby. Guides will also describe the history of the Erie Canal as well as the 19th century Genesee Valley Canal and Genesee Valley Canal Railroad that paralleled the river. Pricing for this year’s paddles is unchanged from last year at $25 per person. We have an all-kayak fleet available this year, and you can choose either single person boats or doubles. Anyone younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult and all paddlers should be at least 10 years old. Pre-registration is required at the Genesee Waterways Center Website. Be sure that you are registering for the correct weekend as the site also allows for paddle event reservations in September and October. Any questions? Call the Waterways Center at 585-328-3960. More Paddle Events This Summer & Fall > Saturday, September 10 – Intermediate+ skill level, Lower River starting from, and returning to, the Petten St. dock > Sunday, October 2 – Intermediate+ skill level, Lower River. For this special ROC the Riverway Weekend event, we will meet at Petten Street then take a City van upriver where we will meet our boats at Seth Green Park, be able to explore the Lower Falls from water level, then do a one-way paddle of the full Lower River, returning to Petten Street. See you on the Genesee! |
Summertime Paddle on Sunday, July 17, 2022
| The 2022 Genesee River Paddling Program Continues on Sunday, July 17, 2022 for Intermediate+ Paddlers at the Petten St. Dock The next guided paddle of the 2022 Genesee River Paddling season, presented by Genesee RiverWatch, the Genesee Waterways Center, and the City of Rochester, will be Sunday, July 17. This time intermediate+ skill paddlers will explore the Lower River from the Petten St. canoe/kayak dock upriver into the “wilderness in a city” between Turning Point and Lower Falls – an unspoiled area where you will forget that you are in the midst of an urban metropolis. On the way, we will learn about the dredging project to remove waste silver from the river bottom, and we will discuss Rochester’s history as a coal and wheat port and terminus for the Underground Railroad. Meet at the ADA-compliant dock at 110 Petten Street off Lake Avenue. We will push off at 10:00AM, Sunday, July 17, and return around 1:00PM. Registration Information > Pre-registration is required. Go to the Genesee Waterways Center website to register. > Pricing for this year’s paddles will be unchanged from last year at $25 per person. > We have an all-kayak fleet, and you can choose either a single person or double. > Anyone younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult. > All paddlers should be at least 10 years old. > Any questions? Call the Waterways Center at 585-328-3960. Add these 2022 Paddle Events to Your Calendar: * Saturday, August 13 – Beginner and experienced paddlers. Waterways Center * Saturday, September 10 – Intermediate+ skill level. Lower River starting from the Petten St. dock * Sunday, October 2 (ROC the Riverway) – Intermediate+ skill level. Lower River starting from the Petten St. dock See you on the river! |
Paddle with Us on June 11, 2022
| The 2022 Genesee River Paddling Program Begins on Saturday, June 11, 2022 for Beginner & Experienced Paddlers at the Genesee Waterways Center Join us at 10:00am on Saturday, June 11th for the opening of the 2022 Genesee River Paddling season presented by Genesee RiverWatch, the Genesee Waterways Center, and the City of Rochester. Meet at the entrance to the Waterways Center, 149 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY. We will leave from the Waterways Center at approx. 10am and plan to return at 1:00pm. Guides will describe the history of the Erie Canal as well as the 19th century Genesee Valley Canal and Genesee Valley Canal Railroad that paralleled the river. Beginning paddlers, including those who have never been in a kayak before, will learn how to enter, exit, paddle, and control their boat. Knowing these basic skills will vastly increase your enjoyment on the water and is a prerequisite for what we have termed “intermediate” events later this summer. Experienced paddlers will also enjoy this outing and can explore the Genesee, the Erie Canal, and Red Creek. Red Creek is especially fun with its abundant wildlife and sense of being isolated from the hectic pace of life nearby. Pricing for this year’s paddles will be unchanged from last year at $25 per person. We will have an all-kayak fleet available this year, and you can choose either single person boats or doubles. Anyone younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult, and all paddlers should be at least 10 years old. Updated registration information: Pre-registration is required. Go to the Genesee Waterways Center website to register. Should you have any questions, call the Waterways Center at 585-328-3960. Add these 2022 Paddle Events to Your Calendar: * Sunday, July 17 – Intermediate+ skill level. Lower River starting from the Petten St. dock * Saturday, August 13 – Beginner and experienced paddlers. Waterways Center * Saturday, September 10 – Intermediate+ skill level. Lower River starting from the Petten St. dock * Sunday, October 2 (ROC the Riverway) – Intermediate+ skill level. Lower River starting from the Petten St. dock See you on the river! |
Support Genesee RiverWatch through Orvis “Great GiveBack Days”
The Orvis Company has generously included Genesee RiverWatch in their spring “Great Giveback Days” program.
During the month of May, when you buy at least $10.00 worth of goods at the Orvis store in Pittsford, NY, Orvis will donate $10.00 to Genesee RiverWatch. If what you want is not in stock, catalog orders placed through the store, in person or by phone, will also count in this program.
Sounds too simple to be true but the program is no more complicated than that!
For those who have not yet shopped at Orvis, you will find their store at 3349 Monroe Avenue on the east end of the Pittsford Plaza Shopping Center. Inside, you will find a wide variety of very high-quality men’s and women’s outdoor clothing. If you are a fly fisherman or dog lover, you are probably already aware of Orvis and its exceptional products in both areas.
Do yourself (or perhaps a loved one) a favor and visit Orvis this month. Your purchases will support the Genesee RiverWatch mission at no extra cost to you.
Spring Newsletter 2022
Dear Friends,
Spring is finally here and with it, an exciting 2022 Summer Paddling Program, multiple streambank improvement projects, and important public events – including our 8th Annual Genesee River Basin Summit. And there is more…we invite you to take a few minutes to read below and learn about our efforts to realize the Vision of “a healthy and sustainable Genesee River ecosystem that is an environmental, recreational and economic asset for all generations”.
None of this would be possible without the help of our partners, volunteers, and donors. We are grateful to you all. See you on or around the River!
Sincerely,
- Mike Haugh, President of the Board
- George Thomas, Executive Director
Summer Paddling Program
Since 2015, we have partnered with the City of Rochester and the Genesee Waterways Center to offer guided canoe and kayak trips on the Genesee. These excursions are great opportunities to explore the “wilderness in the city” that is the lower river and to learn about the fascinating history of the Genesee. This summer’s program will offer trips on both the lower river (between Lower Falls and the harbor) and on the section of the Genesee bordering Genesee Valley Park and secluded Red Creek. This summer, in order to enhance safety and increase the enjoyment of all participants, we are asking that participants have a basic knowledge of paddling techniques when they join our trips. To help people get that knowledge, we are offering two days of training for new paddlers at the Waterways Center. If you have never before been in a kayak, join us for one of these days. It will open a whole new opportunity to explore your world that is not available to those tied to the shore.
Below is the tentative program schedule for 2022. Watch for further announcements in our mailings, on the Genesee RiverWatch website and on the Genesee Waterways website.
- Saturday, June 11 – Beginner paddling training and intermediate+ skill paddle, Waterways Center
- Sunday, July 17 – Intermediate+ skill paddle, Petten St.
- Saturday, August 13 – Beginner paddling training and intermediate+ skill paddle, Waterways Center
- Saturday, September 10 – Intermediate+ skill paddle, Petten St.
- Sunday, October 2 (ROC the Riverway Weekend) – Intermediate+ skill paddle, Petten St.
2022 Genesee River Basin Summit
Our 8th Annual Genesee River Basin Summit is coming soon. We are planning a virtual Summit of 4 sessions during the month of May. The session will be conducted using Zoom and will be recorded for later viewing. Preliminary topics are:
- A review of the H2O Hero Genesee River public opinion survey; May 12 8:30am-10am
- Fishing opportunities on the Genesee; May 17 8:30am-10am
- NY State watershed plan for the Genesee River Basin; May 19 8:30am-10am
- An update on river access improvements and Rochester’s new focus on the river, including the ROC the Riverway projects. May 26 8:30am-10am
Registration information will be available soon.
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. The map is available as a tri-fold brochure at many of the access sites and is downloadable from our website. Also on the website is an interactive map that will allow you to custom plan your route and print a more detailed map specific to your plan. The new site under construction in Houghton will be added during this paddling season.
See us at the Expo
Join us at the 23rd ANNUAL OUTDOOR EXPO at Mendon Ponds Park on June 11th. The Expo is sponsored by the Genesee Valley Chapter, Adirondack Mountain Club and Monroe County Parks. If you have not been there before, you will find it a terrific opportunity to learn about a wide range of outdoor experiences. From hiking to paddling to wooden boat construction to bike repair, the Outdoor Expo provides a chance to explore it all!
SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 2022
9:30 am to 3:30 pm
Streambank Restoration
Our work to improve water quality includes stabilizing and restoring streambanks and helping apply agricultural best management practices that reduce sediment and phosphorus loads to the river, and slow the rate of erosion, preserving agricultural land and fertile topsoil. These projects also restore and improve wildlife habitat in and along the river by establishing wild plantings in the riparian zones. We currently have several active projects along the Genesee River in Allegany and Livingston Counties and have provided updates below.
Mallards Dairy #2/Town of Caneadea
Construction on this project to restore 2,000 feet of eroded streambank along the Genesee River just south of the Village of Houghton, NY, began in September 2021 and was completed in October. The contractor graded the fast-eroding vertical riverbank, creating a three-tiered structure, stabilized by tree stumps and five rock vanes in the river. The field is owned and cultivated by Mallards Dairy, LLC to support their large dairy operation in Cuba, NY. The owner, Charlie Bares, provided all of the funding to hire the contractor as his match for this $320,000 project. On April 1st and 2nd Genesee RiverWatch volunteers, together with Mr. and Mrs. Bares, harvested approximately 5,000 willow cuttings from elsewhere on the property and planted them in the new bank. As these willows grow, their roots will provide long term stability for the bank, preserving this valuable farmland and preventing hundreds of tons of sediment from washing down the river. Thank you to all the volunteers who joined us in this work!
Agricultural Best Management Practices Project/Livingston County
Genesee RiverWatch has been working with the Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District (LCS&WCD) since 2020 to identify farm fields in the Jaycox Creek subwatershed that are candidates for application of agricultural best management practices (AgBMPs) to reduce erosion and soil loss. It is funded by a $198K Great Lakes Commission grant and planned $53K match ($251K total). Two projects were completed in 2021 and two have been selected for 2022. The 2021 projects were on an 85-acre field (shared by 3 farms) east of Geneseo and a horse stable (KJW Stables) north of Geneseo. The two projects for 2023 are on agricultural fields at the Brady Farm and Byron Farms properties. The work is being directed by LCS&WCD. The primary practices being considered are terraces, grassed waterways, water and sediment control basins (WASCOBs), and underground outlets.
Canoe/Kayak Access Projects
Genesee RiverWatch is continuing to work with our partners to improve access to the river for fishing and car-top boaters.
Avon & Geneseo – The US Fish and Wildlife Service and NYSDEC as trustees for the Kodak Environmental Response trust have awarded Genesee RiverWatch a grant to upgrade canoe/kayak access sites on the Genesee River in Avon and Geneseo. We expect funding to be available by May and to complete construction by December 2022.
Fillmore – Genesee River Wilds has been working to secure an official access site in Fillmore to take the place of the unofficial “Fillmore Beach” site that was recently closed by its new owners. They are currently exploring the idea of using Allegany County land on the northwest corner of the Route 4 bridge. A final decision is not expected in the 2022 boating season. When the site becomes available, Genesee RiverWatch will provide Blueway signs and include the site on our interactive map.
Houghton – Genesee River Wilds has recently reached an agreement with the Village of Houghton to create a new access site near their wastewater treatment plant. Work has been completed to grade the access road and parking lot. The site will be available for the 2022 boating season. Genesee RiverWatch will provide Blueway signs and include the site on our interactive map.
Donor Support Helps Us Do Our Work
As we have said before, Genesee RiverWatch relies heavily on community support to continue its work of improving water quality and connecting people to the river. Big-ticket projects such as the streambank work and access sites discussed above are typically funded by government and agency grants, often in the range of $200,000 to $400,000. However, all the preliminary work that goes into obtaining these grants – the site identification, landowner relations, engineering, etc. – is done by a combination of volunteers and donations from those who support our work. All of our other work, including our water quality Report Card, summer paddling program, and annual Genesee River Basin Summits, is also accomplished using donations and hard-working volunteers.
In 2021, you donated over $26,000 to RiverWatch, a rewarding 18% increase over 2020! Thank you so much for your commitment to our vision of “a healthy and sustainable Genesee River ecosystem that is an environmental, recreational and economic asset for all generations”.
Please keep Genesee RiverWatch in your plans for 2022 donations and, if possible, increase your support so that we can cover not only current inflation but also the increased tempo of work planned for this year.
Meet our Staff and Board of Directors
Genesee RiverWatch has a dedicated staff and volunteer Board of Directors. We invite you to visit our updated “Who We Are” page to learn more about us.