Genesee RiverWatchThe Story Behind the Petten Street Access Dock
This article is part of Genesee RiverWatch’s 2020 Year-End Appeal series – telling the stories behind our significant accomplishments.
The new canoe/kayak access dock on the Genesee River at Petten Street in Rochester, NY was formally opened on September 12th. However, this was only the culmination of work that extended back to 2014. In that year, the City of Rochester completed its “Harbor Management Plan”. Among many other items, the Plan envisioned a car-top boating facility at Petten Street. Separately, Genesee RiverWatch took a kayak trip from the power boat launch in the harbor to Lower Falls. It became clear during that trip that power-boaters and paddlers have very different interests and that the lake swells and boat wakes in the ramp area make this part of the harbor hazardous to paddlers. Clearly, an improved access facility upriver at Petten Street would improve safety and make paddling the lower river – our “wilderness in the city” – attractive to many more people.
These separate ideas came together when the Genesee Brewery generously contributed funds from their support program that shares Tasting Bar revenues with local non-profit organizations. With core funding in place and strong support from Rochester Department of Environmental Services Commissioner Norman Jones, real planning for dock location and design began in the summer of 2018.
As with all significant Genesee RiverWatch projects, the path from good ideas to concrete results is strewn with obstacles that must be resolved. In this case they included a neighboring Brownfield site, permissions from the NYSDEC and the Army Corp of Engineers, handicapped access design requirements and, ultimately, additional funding needs. At this point Rochester Gas & Electric, the Popli Design Group and other Genesee RiverWatch supporters joined the City to fill the funding gap.
Today, thanks to persistence, the help of generous donors, and hard work by the City’s engineers, recreational boaters can paddle upriver to Turning Point Park, Seth Green Island and Lower Falls; exploring our wilderness in the city – an area that can only be fully appreciated from a boat. When we are past the current COVID emergency, the Waterways Center/Genesee RiverWatch program of guided paddles on the lower river will have a proper facility for their Seth Green-to-harbor trips. In addition, K-12 and college students in aquatic education programs and potential canoe/kayak races will have a safe and dedicated dock available for their activities.
Help us continue this work in 2021. Please consider donating $100, $250 – or an amount of your choosing – to Genesee RiverWatch as a part of your year-end giving plan.
Seeking your Support
2020 Year-End Appeal
In this difficult year of 2020 we reached significant milestones in our work to improve water quality and connect people to the river. We are seeking your support to continue these efforts in 2021. Please consider donating $100, $250 – or an amount of your choosing – to Genesee RiverWatch as a part of your year-end giving plan. We hope you enjoy this summary of our recent work in pictures.
Roc the Riverway Weekend Paddle
Saturday, Oct 3, 10am-2pm. Guided Paddle of the Lower River from the NEW Petten St. Dock
Thirteen paddlers joined Genesee RiverWatch and the Genesee Waterways Center for a guided paddle on the Lower Genesee on Saturday Oct 3. The paddlers left from and returned to, the brand new, ADA compliant, canoe and kayak dock at the foot of Petten Street. They enjoyed a rare, water-level view of Turning Point Park and Rochester’s unique “wilderness in the city” on a crisp, sunny morning with the beginnings of fall colors along the gorge walls. Guides described the history of the Lower Genesee, including its role as a lake port and terminus of the Underground Railway. Thanks to all who came!
Fall Newsletter 2020
Dear Friends,
Despite the challenges of 2020, Genesee RiverWatch has been busy working toward our goal of protecting and celebrating the river. This summary will bring you up to date on all our latest news. Please contact us with any questions or comments. We’d love to hear from you.
Sincerely,
- Mike Haugh, President of the Board
- George Thomas, Executive Director
A New Website!
Our Genesee RiverWatch team took advantage of some of the extra time available during the health crisis to completely refresh our website. We planned this new design to be both attractive to our viewers and give us a framework for keeping you up-to-date with our progress and upcoming events. The website has many resources that describe the Genesee River basin and support our work to Improve Water Quality, Inform and Educate, Connect People to the River and Facilitate Aquatic Education. You may also want to get to know us better by checking out our new “Who We Are” page or find ways to “Get Involved”.
2019 Annual Report Released
Genesee RiverWatch has released its 2019 Annual Report. We invite you to take a look at the summary of our work in 2019 and future plans.
Improving Water Quality
Streambank Restoration
Genesee RiverWatch has several streambank restoration projects underway in 2020. These are important because restoring the banks of the river preserves valuable farm land and reduces sediment and phosphorus loads in the river, improving the quality of the water for recreational use and wildlife habitat. Establishing riparian zones are an important part of that work. Check out this short video by Board Member Melissa Skyer explaining Riparian Zones.
Town of Angelica: Genesee RiverWatch has begun work on its part of a US Fish & Wildlife Service (USF&WS) project to restore a 2,720 foot section on eroded Genesee River bank in the Town of Angelica, NY. This project is funded by $523,000 from the Kodak Environmental Response Trust. USF&WS is responsible for the design and construction of the project and is using bio-engineering techniques over rock riprap to stabilize the river bank. Genesee RiverWatch has secured the necessary environmental permits and archeological reports and will design and install part of the riparian buffer. Construction was completed in September. The riparian planting work will occur in the Fall of 2020 and the Spring of 2021.
Town of Houghton: Construction work is planned for 2021 to stabilize 1,800 linear feet of un-buffered agricultural field along the Genesee River in the town of Houghton. Genesee RiverWatch has been awarded a $197,000 grant from the Great Lakes Commission. The landowner will contribute $119,000 of in-kind work for a total project cost of $316,000. This restoration will reduce sediment and phosphorus loads to the river while adding a new riparian zone and protecting valuable farmland.
Connecting People to the River
Enabling Access to the River
New Petten Street Access Site: Thanks to the City of Rochester with financial support from Genesee RiverWatch donors such as Genesee Brewery, kayakers and canoeists have a new and safe access site on the Lower Genesee. The ADA-compliant dock is on the west side of the river at the foot of Petten Street, just south of the O’Rourke Bridge. Learn more.
Genesee River Blueway Map: A new Genesee River Blueway Map is ready for use by canoeists and kayakers who wish to explore and connect with the river. The downloadable Overview Map shows current river access locations from Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario. A web-based Interactive Map gives users detailed information about each access point, including photos of the sites. Printed copies of the Overview Map will be available at access points over the next few months as signage and map holders are installed. The advantage of the online map is that it can be updated as necessary to provide current information about access points.
Roc the Riverway Weekend Paddles: Thirteen paddlers celebrated ROC the Riverway Weekend with a tour of the Genesee upstream from the new Petten Street dock. Definitely a “crisp” fall morning, but sunny with the beginnings of fall colors along the gorge walls. Just the kind of day to appreciate our “wilderness within the city”! Thanks to the folks at the Genesee Waterways Center for partnering with us in hosting this water-level view of our river.
Facilitating Aquatic Education
Aquatic Education Going Virtual: The NOAA funded Our Lakes, Streams, and Rivers education initiative has been turned into a “virtual” program under the guidance of St. John Fisher College (Mike Boller) and the Aquatic Education Network. Twenty teachers have been chosen from 33 applicants for training to enable them to provide Meaningful Watershed Education Experiences (MWEE) to middle and high school students in the 2020 – 2021 school year. This project is part of Genesee RiverWatch’s efforts to facilitate educational experiences that connect students and teachers to the Genesee River.
Online Resources for Educators: A September 2020 Update for educators summarizes available online resources. We’ve recently added three videos developed by our Board member and RIT Professor Melissa Skyer to the lesson plans and resources page available on our website. The topics cover:
- Modeling Watersheds
- Riparian Zones
- Invasive Species
Riparian Zones Explained
Riparian Zones are an important part of the streambank restoration work that Genesee RiverWatch does to improve water quality. As an interface between water and land, riparian zones are important features in the landscape. These areas are adjacent to waterbodies like streams and rivers, and their health directly impacts the health of the those waterbodies. In this short 3 minute video, Genesee RiverWatch Board Member Melissa Skyer visits a high quality riparian zone on the banks of the Genesee River.
Paddle the Genesee on Roc the Riverway Weekend Oct 3rd & 4th
Saturday, Oct 3, 10am-2pm. Guided Paddle of the Lower River from the NEW Petten St. Dock
Join Genesee RiverWatch and the Genesee Waterways Center for a guided paddle on the Lower Genesee. We will leave from, and return to, the brand new, ADA compliant, canoe and kayak dock at the foot of Petten Street. Enjoy a rare, water-level view of Turning Point Park and Rochester’s unique “wilderness in the city” hidden in the gorge of the Genesee.
Guides will describe the history of the Lower Genesee, including its role as a lake port and terminus of the Underground Railway. Cost is $25.00 per person and includes canoe or kayak rental. Maximum two adults per canoe. All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Pre-registration is required: https://geneseewaterways.org/event-3976917 Call 585-820-8860 with questions. Meet at the parking lot at the river end of Petten Street off Lake Avenue. Masks are required.
Sunday, Oct 4th, 10am-5pm. Paddle the Genesee River and Erie Canal from the Genesee Waterways Center
Join the Genesee Waterways Center and Genesee RiverWatch for an end-of-season celebration of the Genesee River and Erie Canal. From 10am – 5pm we will be offering discounted paddling at the Genesee Waterways center for all participants. NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Simply show up at out Genesee Valley Park Facility and we will provide you with a paddle, PFD, and a canoe or kayak for up to 3 hours of paddling. Cost is $15/person. Enjoy a riverside view of downtown Rochester, explore the southern Genesee River, or travel east on the Erie Canal and see the beautiful Red Creek all from our docks at the Genesee Waterways Center. Contact info@geneseewaterways.org for more information. Masks are required.
Aquatic Education Update Sept 2020
Hello Friends,
Genesee RiverWatch, Inc., through the Aquatic Education Network (AEN), is available to support you as you re-imagine what teaching and learning looks like this fall. Check out our Sept 2020 update for ideas.
New Boater Access Site on the Genesee Announced by City of Rochester and Genesee RiverWatch
Kayakers and canoeists have a new and safe access site on the Lower Genesee. The ADA-compliant dock is on the west side of the river at the foot of Petten Street, just south of the O’Rourke Bridge. It allows cartop boaters to launch and land their boats out of the way of the powerboat wakes and lake swells prevalent north of the bridge. It also replaces the current, informal, riverbank site that requires boaters to wade into the river from a Brownfield area.
The new dock was built by the City of Rochester with funding help from Genesee RiverWatch donors. It is the realization of a dream that began with both City planners and RiverWatch volunteers in 2016 and supports the public access goals of the City’s Harbor Management Plan. The City was seeking ways to capitalize on the beauty of the Genesee and expand recreational opportunities on the river. Genesee RiverWatch seeks to connect people to the river and had direct experience using the power boat launch ramp next to the Marina and the muddy informal bank site at Petten Street. It was clear that a dock facility dedicated to paddlers would be safer and could be a focal point for recreational boating, aquatic education programs, and potential river-based events. With this in mind, City Department of Environmental Services Commissioner Norman Jones, earmarked funds in the City’s capital budget for the project. Genesee RiverWatch received a major donation from Genesee Brewery and significant additional funding from Rochester Gas & Electric, the Popli Design Group, and individual supporters.
Using the new dock, recreational boaters can paddle upriver to Turning Point Park, Seth Green Island and Lower Falls; exploring the Genesee’s “wilderness in the city” – an area that can only be fully appreciated from a boat. When we are past the current COVID emergency, the rapidly expanding Waterways Center/Genesee RiverWatch program of guided paddles in the lower river will have a proper facility for their Seth Green-to-harbor trips. In addition, K-12 and college students in aquatic education programs and potential canoe/kayak races will have a dedicated dock available for their activities. More information about canoe/kayak access points on the river is available on the newly updated Genesee River Blueway Map
The dock is open now for use. Please be considerate of other paddlers and the boaters who rent slips in the immediate area. After unloading your boat, park your car at the back side of the lot and away from the spaces marked for boat trailers.
Genesee River Blueway Map
The Genesee River Blueway Map is available for use by canoeists and kayakers who wish to explore and connect with the river. The downloadable Overview Map shows current river access locations from Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario. A web-based Interactive Map gives users detailed information about each access point, including photos of the sites. Printed copies of the Overview Map will be available at access points over the next few months as signage and map holders are installed. The advantage of the online map is that it can be updated as necessary to provide current information about access points.
Genesee RiverWatch partnered with the Genesee Valley Conservancy and Genesee River Wilds to update the Genesee River Blueway Trail Map, originally developed by Genesee River Wilds and the Genesee Valley Conservancy. The work was funded by a $25,000 grant from New York Sea Grant and financial and in-kind support from the Greater Allegany County Chamber of Commerce.
As part of this project, Genesee RiverWatch developed a prioritized list of sites for new and improved access based on input from stakeholders and citizens, aerial imaging, GIS, the work of others, and site visits. This work is summarized in the Genesee River Canoe/Kayak Access Improvement Plan 2019.
Genesee River Canoe/Kayak Access Improvement Plan 2019
Genesee RiverWatch, in partnership with Genesee Valley Conservancy and Genesee River Wilds, has created a Canoe/Kayak Access Improvement Plan that prioritizes car-top boat access sites on the main stem of the Genesee River that need upgrading and locations for new sites. The Plan was developed using stakeholder and general public input, the results of several in-field assessments, GIS/aerial imaging, and our team’s extensive knowledge of access sites. This plan will be used to solicit funding to make the upgrades to existing sites and build new ones.
The Plan identifies the need for 6 new sites: 3 to fill in gaps of more than 10 miles between access locations; and 3 others where new access is needed. It also prioritizes 8 existing sites that need varying degrees of upgrade to improve safe access.