Genesee RiverWatchWXXI: River advocates continue their work during COVID-19
By Alex Crichton, WXXI, Rochester, NY, July 1st, 2020.
An organization dedicated to achieving a healthy and sustainable Genesee River ecosystem is outlining its 2019 accomplishments.
And the group’s work moves forward, despite the coronavirus pandemic.
George Thomas is executive Director for the Genesee Riverwatch, a largely volunteer organization that works to protect and celebrate the river.
“Trying to improve water, that’s the protecting part, and celebrating is trying to get people on the river and near the river to enjoy the resource,” he said. Credit geneseeriverwatch.org
Thomas says the group has been able to continue its many projects because it’s mainly been a volunteer and virtual organization for four years.
The Genesee Riverwatch outlined many accomplishments in its 2019 report, including publication of the group’s first report card on the Genesee River Basin’s water quality.
It received a “C.”
“We have a couple of tributaries that are doing well, and a couple that aren’t. That’s where we kind of get our focus, so rather than concentrate on Oatka or Black Creek, we look at places like Canaseraga or other ones that are having a bigger negative impact”
The group gave Canaseraga Creek the lowest grade of “D.”
Thomas say moving forward, restoration projects are a priority.
“Lot of work that needs to be done. We’re looking at 20 to 30 years worth of restoration work, but we also are really getting interested now in working closely with other groups to improve access to the river, “ he said.
Thomas says the Genesee River is a natural asset that many people don’t appreciate, and from an economic development standpoint, most of the improvements the city is talking about through its ROC the Riverway Project are associated with the river.
He adds the Genesee Riverwatch is always looking for volunteer help, especially when it comes to the organization’s many tree planting projects.
Click here to view the 2019 report from the Genesee Riverwatch
2019 Annual Report Released
Genesee RiverWatch has released its 2019 Annual Report, covering our work over the past year and our plans for 2020.
IJC: Genesee River Education Program Brings Together Students and Water
International Joint Commission – April 22, 2020. By Kevin Bunch. Reprinted with permission
One approach to fostering environmental stewardship is to get people involved in water activities as children. An educational initiative by Genesee Riverwatch in upstate New York has been doing exactly that by helping teachers get students excited about their local Genesee River.
Chris Widmaier, a Rochester-based science teacher and member of Riverwatch’s Aquatic Education Initiative steering committee, said the organization received a $20,000 grant from the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute in 2017. Riverwatch members discussed how they could build an educational program to connect K-12 students with the river system, how rivers are impacted by human activities and the different types of human communities along their courses. In turn, Riverwatch leaders hoped, this would get children and their families to take a greater role in protecting the waterway.
A Message to our Friends in this Difficult Time
Dear Friends,
It is certainly a strange time when we are all bound together by a common threat and yet physically separated by the need to defeat that same threat. Some of us are confined to our homes with no fixed agenda. Some are also confined but working diligently at jobs that can be done via computer and phone. Some are out in the wider world taking care of the rest of us in hospitals, in grocery stores, on garbage trucks and in power plants.
Since this situation has gone on for some time – and looks like it will last a good bit longer – we thought it would be useful to let you know the current state of the Genesee RiverWatch events calendar, what we are working on during this “New York State on Pause”, and what we are doing to take advantage of our enforced solitude.
Take care and stay safe,
Mike Haugh, President of the Board of Directors
George Thomas, Executive Director
2020 Genesee RiverWatch Events
- 7th Annual Genesee River Basin Summit – Early this month our Board of Directors looked at the budding crisis and decided to postpone the Summit, originally planned for April 29th. We hope that the virus will be under control by fall and that we can re-schedule the Summit then. Along with this postponement, we are deferring the Elizabeth Thorndike Environmental Leadership Awards. If you would like to recognize a person or organization, we will be extending the nomination period. Keep an eye on our website/Facebook page for details.
- While the Letchworth Earth Day event has been canceled, ADK’s Outdoor Expo on June 13th is still on the books. If the Expo does take place, come and join us at the Genesee RiverWatch table.
- In partnership with the City of Rochester, we have planned to open the new Petten Street canoe/kayak dock before Memorial Day. At this point, we don’t know how the shutdown will affect the City’s construction schedule. When we know more, we will publicize an update on our website and Facebook page.
- Our two cruises on the Lower River in 2019 were so successful that we have scheduled three for 2020. They are planned for July 26th, August 23rd, and October 3rd. We hope this schedule can be met and will let you know when to make your reservations.
- In association with the Waterways Center, we have outlined an extensive list of public paddle trips on the river and Canal as well as a “learn to paddle” day and a family outing day. As the extent of the shutdown becomes clearer, we will make modifications and announce these events on the Waterways calendar and the Genesee RiverWatch website/Facebook page.
Ongoing Activities
- We have two big streambank stabilization projects planned for this year: 2,720 feet of bank near the confluence of the Genesee River and Angelica Creek and an 1,800-foot project near Houghton. Permit applications for these have been filed with the NYSDEC and Army Corps of Engineers and required archaeological work has been completed. More information on these projects will be covered in our upcoming newsletter.
- Our recreational map of the river, in partnership with Genesee River Wilds and the Genesee Valley Land Trust, is in development. We are investigating ways to get the public input that had been planned as part of the Summit.
- Other activities such as a sediment reduction strategy for the entire basin and numerous administrative improvements are getting the attention they deserve now that other activities have been pushed down the calendar.
Regardless of what we were doing before “New York State on Pause”, all our lives have been thrown off their normal tracks. Many of us have more discretionary time and many fewer outside resources such as libraries, gyms, museums, movies, etc. Walking is one of the few things we can do that is virus-safe and provides needed exercise. We at Genesee RiverWatch are a bit prejudiced and happen to believe that our river, with its beauty and history, is a great place to do those walks. Accordingly, we will post occasional Facebook suggestions for stretches of the river that you might want to explore. Here is an initial idea:
Scottsville Area: Lehigh Valley Trail to Scottsville Canawaugus Park or Route 253 – 3.1 or 4.1 miles
Park at the access lot on the east side of River Road, 2.6 miles south of Scottsville near the Casella Transfer Station. Walk about .6 miles east on the Lehigh Valley Trail to the intersection with the Genesee Valley Greenway at the Wadsworth Junction railroad bridge. Read the sign describing the Genesee Valley Canal and its successor railroads that ran on the same line as today’s Greenway Trail. Walk north up the trail about 2.5 miles to Canawaugus Park on Owatka Creek. Still have energy? Add an additional mile to route 253. The trails are mostly flat and well-groomed, though there may be muddy spots after a rain. There is parking for about 6 cars at the Lehigh Trail access point, a large parking lot at Canawaugus and room for 2-3 cars at the route 253 intersection.
“In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.”
John Muir
Hiking the Genesee and Surrounding Areas While Social Distancing
Regardless of what we were doing before the current health crisis and its mandatory social distancing, all our lives have been thrown off their normal tracks. Many of us have more discretionary time and many fewer outside resources such as libraries, gyms, museums, movies, etc. Walking is one of the few things we can do that is virus-safe and provides needed exercise.
We at Genesee RiverWatch are a bit prejudiced and happen to believe that our river, with its beauty and history, is a great place to do those walks. Accordingly, we will post occasional website and Facebook suggestions for stretches of the river that you might want to explore. Keep an eye on this page for new routes.
As a rule, these areas will be less well known and should have very little traffic. However, if you do meet fellow travelers, please maintain a 6-foot distance, perhaps stepping off the trail until they go by.
Most of these routes are described as point-to-point. If you do them this way, you will want to leave a second car at the end point. You could also do them as out-and-back trips with a single car; possibly doing half the route one day and, starting from the other end, doing the other half on a second day.
Nothing says that you must walk. Many people bike these trails and, judging by the hoofprints, some ride horses.
Seeking Input on Genesee River Canoe/Kayak Access Sites
Genesee RiverWatch in partnership with the Genesee Valley Conservancy and Genesee River Wilds has received funding from New York Sea Grant to develop, print and distribute V2 (version 2) of the Genesee River Blueway map and to solicit public input on canoe/kayak access sites. The updated map will include updated access site information, as well as tourism and cultural references for boaters. Distribution of the updated map is expected to be complete before the 2020 boating season.
Mallards Dairy Streambank Restoration Project Closeout Report
Thanks to the commitment of Mallards Dairy and their enthusiasm for this project it was successfully completed in the spring of 2018. It represents a demonstration of the efficacy of applying bioengineering techniques in streambank restoration. The success of this first streambank restoration project laid the groundwork for future projects. We have completed another similar project in 2019 to similarly stabilize 1,800 feet of river bank at Edelweiss Farms and have two more on the books for 2020. This work totals to 7,700 linear feet of streambank restoration.
2019 October Newsletter
Welcome! It has been a busy spring and summer for Genesee RiverWatch staff and volunteers including our annual Summit, tree planting and on-the-river cruises and paddles.
We have also been actively planning for next year with initiatives that include streambank restoration, on-the river events and a recreational map of the River. We invite you to take a few minutes and learn more about the work of Genesee RiverWatch. As always, feel free to contact us about anything river-related and how you might get involved.
Sincerely,
Mike Haugh, President, Board of Directors
George Thomas, Executive Director
Edelweiss Farms Streambank Restoration Complete
The work to stabilize 1,980 feet of streambank near the Village of Fillmore, NY is complete. This $284K project was supported by a grant from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The project stabilized the bank and established a riparian buffer. As a result of this effort, .67 acres of valuable farmland will be preserved annually and 192 tons of sediment will no longer have to be dredged from the river each year. Thank you to all the volunteers who came to plant trees on two Saturdays in June!
Cruise into the Lower Genesee River Gorge
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. Tom Brewer, Marine Program Chair of the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse Society, an expert on the history of the River will explain past and present influences of industry and the city’s history.
There are a few tickets left for our Thursday, June 20th cruise that is happening in just 2 days! Or, you can plan ahead for our August 18th cruise.
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!