Genesee RiverWatchThe Erie Canal and Genesee River Water Quality
As part of Channel 10’s series on the Erie Canal, Genesee RiverWatch weighed in on a topic most people haven’t thought about: The effect of the Erie Canal on the water quality of the Genesee River.
Watch the Channel 10 segment here:
This topic was recently addressed at the Genesee River Basin Summit by Dr. Joseph Makarewicz. For more than a century, the Genesee River and the Erie Canal have exchanged water at a point on the southern edge of the city of Rochester where the two waterways meet. Eastward-flowing canal water is pushed north into the Genesee while northward-flowing river water is pushed east into the canal.
Water quality in the Genesee has been studied thoroughly, and the impacts of erosion, farmland runoff, septic systems, and sewage treatment plant discharges have been well-characterized. But the impact of the water from the Erie Canal on the Genesee’s water quality hasn’t been carefully examined – until now.
Two researchers from SUNY-Brockport, Lindsay Donahoe and Distinguished Professor Emeritus Joseph Makarewicz, have just published a study that quantifies the impacts of the confluence of a man-made canal and a natural flowing river. Joe, a longtime Genesee RiverWatch board member, presented their findings for the first time at Genesee RiverWatch’s 2025 Genesee River Basin Summit.
Genesee River Basin 2025 Summit Wrap-Up: “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.
Each year at our Summit, the Elizabeth Thorndike 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, Environmental Education Specialist at RIT. Congratulations, Kaeti!
Summit presentations included:
Welcome and Opening Remarks: Why Emerging Issues – Presenter: George Thomas, Executive Director, Genesee RiverWatch
Methods to Sample Dissolved Greenhouse Gases in the Genesee River – Presenter: Katie Gregory, Doctoral Student, University of Rochester’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. Presentation Summary (Presentation not available)
The Impact of the Erie Canal on Water Quality of the Genesee River – Presenter: SUNY Brockport Distinguished Professor Emeritus Joseph Makarewicz. Presentation Summary
Characterization of Plastics in the Genesee River – Presenter: Christy Tyler, Professor, RIT’s Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences. Presentation Summary (Presentation not available)
Wood Debris Removal in the Upper Genesee – Presenters: Rebecca Rowley of Genesee River Wilds and Rando Morgan, Founder/CEO of River Rangers International, Inc., Presentation Summary
Exhibitors included:
Genesee River Paddling Season 2025
After a very successful 2024 paddling season, our summer paddling season is underway. Since 2018, Genesee RiverWatch has partnered with the Genesee Waterways Center and the City of Rochester to offer this summer series of on-the-water kayak paddles. We feel strongly that the best way to really appreciate the Genesee is to explore it from water level, along with the herons, turtles, muskrat, mink, and occasional eagles that make their homes on the river and its banks. We have scheduled the following events in partnership with the Waterways Center and the City Recreation Department. Click here to register on the Genesee Waterways website. Pre-registration is required.
- Thursday, August 14, 5:30PM-7:30PM – Genesee River Kayak Cleanup
- Sunday, August 31, 2:00PM-4:00PM – TLC for the Genesee: Paddle or Walk Cleanup along the River (Register on the Walking for Rochester website). Join us for a major Genesee River cleanup effort that will feature both land- and water-based trash removal near Rochester’s Genesee Valley Park.
- Saturday, September 6, 10:00AM-1:00PM – Lower Genesee River Exploration – Click here for more information and to register
- Saturday, September 27, 3:00PM-6:00PM – ROC the Riverway Rochester City Skyline Paddle – Click here for more information and to register
Stay tuned to our social media pages for more paddle event information as the dates get closer! (Paddle dates are subject to change.)
Spring Newsletter 2025
Dear Friends and Supporters:
Since its inception in 2014, Genesee RiverWatch has been working with partners and communities to improve the water quality of the Genesee River and connect people to the river. This spring we will hold our 11th Annual Genesee River Basin Summit where stakeholders across the watershed will gather to discuss emerging issues that impact the river. Projects continue that aim to improve water quality by reducing phosphorus and sediment in the river and our summer padding program gets underway in June.
We invite you to read about these activities and more in this newsletter. As always, we thank the supporters that make this work possible through their generous donations and volunteer time. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on the Genesee River and its surrounding communities.
Sincerely,
Mike Haugh, President of the Board
George Thomas, Executive Director
Genesee River Basin Summit 2025 “Emerging Issues”
Genesee RiverWatch is hosting 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 is “Emerging Issues”. Join Genesee RiverWatch and fellow stakeholders, experts, and community members for a vital discussion on Emerging Issues affecting water quality and recreation in the Genesee River Basin. This will be a unique opportunity to learn about critical topics impacting our watershed and to participate in meaningful conversations that can drive positive change. The event includes breakfast and lunch; and is free to attend. Learn more and register.
Genesee River Paddling Season 2025
After a very successful 2024 paddling season, our summer paddling season is about to get underway. Since 2018, Genesee RiverWatch has partnered with the Genesee Waterways Center and the City of Rochester to offer this summer series of on-the-water kayak paddles. We feel strongly that the best way to really appreciate the Genesee is to explore it from water level, along with the herons, turtles, muskrat, mink, and occasional eagles that make their homes on the river and its banks. We have scheduled the following six events in partnership with the Waterways Center and the City Recreation Department. Registration takes place through the Genesee Waterways Center as dates get closer. DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Please check the Genesee Waterways Center website for more information.
- Saturday, June 21, 10-1 – Waterways Center to Lock 32, passing through Lock 33.
- Saturday, July 12, 10-1 – Learn to Paddle (free event – with ice cream!)
- Thursday, August 14 – 5:30-7:30 – Red Creek & Clean-Up
- Saturday, September 6, 10-1 – Seth Green to Petten Street
- Saturday, September 27, 10-1 – ROC the Riverway Rochester Skyline
- Saturday, October 11, 10-1 – Clean-Up
This year’s season will start with real excitement. If you have never kayaked through one of the Erie Canal’s huge locks, you have missed a unique Rochester experience. On June 21st, our group will paddle from the Waterways Center, up the Canal, through Lock 33 to Lock 32 in Pittsford. Shuttle buses will bring us back to the starting point.
On July 12th kayaking instructors from RiverWatch and the Waterways Center will be available to help you learn the basics of kayaking. Afterwards, join us for ice cream from Lugia’s. Last year’s inaugural event was a blast and, best of all, it’s free for City residents!
Improving Water Quality
Our work to improve water quality includes stabilizing and restoring eroding streambanks and applying agricultural best management practices to reduce sediment and phosphorus loads to the river. These actions also slow the rate of erosion, preserving agricultural land and fertile topsoil and improve wildlife habitat in and along the river by establishing wild plantings in the riparian zones.
Babbitt’s Farm – Genesee River Streambank Restoration
The project will restore 850 feet of highly eroded streambank on Babbitt’s Farm north of Caneadea, NY. We will also install river training structures to prevent further erosion at the site and downstream, affecting 2,250 feet of riverbed. 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 the environmental permit applications to the NYDEC and the US Army Corps of Engineers. The archeological assessment is underway and construction is planned for this summer.
Rush Creek Riparian Restoration
A $212K grant from National Fish & Wildlife Foundation/Sustain Our Great Lakes with $245K matching work by Allegany County Highway Department and Allegany County S&WCD will enable us to stabilize and re-direct the flow of Rush Creek to prevent erosion both on the creek itself and on the West Bank of the Genesee, where the creek meets the river. This is a complex project with significant regulatory/environmental issues and several landowners involved. We are working toward a design for this project and have begun preliminary investigations on landowners impacted. We have also started the archeological assessment.
Oatka Creek
In 2024, Genesee RiverWatch completed an evaluation of novel streambank restoration techniques on Oatka Creek. The study used bio-engineering techniques that create aquatic and riparian habitat, making maximum use of materials available on-site and minimizing purchased materials and equipment from off-site. These sites were inspected in the fall of 2024 and in February and March of 2025 and are performing as expected. Learn more and read the White Paper.
Genesee RiverWatch Provided Comments on NYSDEC’s Proposed Water Quality Guidance Values (GVs) for Phosphorus
On December 20, 2024, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) released new proposed water quality guidance values (GVs) that will advance the State’s regulation of the nutrient phosphorus to protect human health and aquatic life in both flowing and ponded ambient freshwaters. Comments were requested and Genesee RiverWatch submitted ours on February 16, 2025. Learn more.
Additions to Genesee RiverWatch Staff
Genesee RiverWatch has added two staff members to strengthen our organization.
Susan Brayer has joined the Genesee RiverWatch as our new part-time development director. Susan brings 15 years of experience in nonprofit development in the Rochester region, having successfully led fundraising campaigns and forged key collaborations through her work at the YMCA, Literacy Volunteers of Rochester, RMSC, and the local chapter of the National Kidney Foundation. We are confident that she will play a pivotal role in advancing our mission and strengthening our development efforts.
Maresa Carmody has been hired as our part-time financial assistant and will play a key role in advancing the organization’s fiscal responsibility and sustainability. She holds an MBA from St. John Fisher College, and a BS in Business Commerce from Niagara University. With extensive expertise in financial management, she brings a wealth of knowledge to our organization.
Genesee RiverWatch Welcomes New Board Members
We welcome Sue Boyle, Bob Kiley, and Don Zelazny to the Genesee RiverWatch Board of Directors.
Sue Boyle is Principal Consultant at Haley & Aldrich. Sue has extensive experience in environmental consulting and facilitating multi-stakeholder groups to make things better – for her clients’ organizations, Haley & Aldrich’s own project teams, and the greater community. Her professional qualifications combine formal geology and environmental engineering education with extensive experience applying Lean Thinking to improve the effectiveness of organizations operating in the built environment.
Bob Kiley is the Deputy Director of the Monroe County Parks Department. In this role, Bob oversees the Department’s strategic planning, capital projects, personnel, budget, and grant administration. After several years working for the Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District, Bob joined the Town of Irondequoit, first as Deputy Commissioner, and then as Commissioner of Public Works / Superintendent of Highways from 2014 to 2022.
Don Zelazny’s professional career has focused on environmental protection, restoration, applied research in water quality and invasive species control, and sustainable watershed management for over 40 years. He has served in a variety of professional positions including the U.S. Coast Guard’s marine environmental response program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Great Lakes program, private environmental management consulting, and a countywide non-profit watershed protection organization. Don is retired from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.
Support Our Mission by Making Your Tax-Deductible Gift Today
As the weather grows warmer and the colors of spring start to bloom, we invite you to join Genesee RiverWatch in protecting and celebrating the Genesee River. When you give to Genesee RiverWatch your donation helps support our work to improve its water quality, to inform and educate the communities around the Genesee River and partnerships with local communities to increase access to the River.
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 gift in the form of an online donation or check today!
Quick Notes:
- In case you missed it, Jon Goehring of local radio station Warm 101.3 interviewed our Executive Director, George Thomas, about Genesee RiverWatch. Take a listen to this 15-minute recording and learn interesting facts about the Genesee, how to enjoy the river, and Genesee RiverWatch’s work to improve its water quality.
- Heading out on the River? 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. Currently, 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.
- Do you know that the Genesee River Valley is a vital resource for the millions of migrating birds that are flying north to their breeding grounds this spring? From song birds, to waterfowl, to raptors these birds need safe stopover points. The Genesee River Valley with its clean water, forests, wetlands and agricultural fields provides just that. Check out birdcast.info to track the numbers and variety of birds migrating through the area.
Genesee RiverWatch Provides Comments on NYSDEC’s Proposed Water Quality Guidance Values (GVs) for Phosphorus
On December 20, 2024, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) released new proposed water quality guidance values (GVs) that will advance the State’s regulation of the nutrient phosphorus to protect human health and aquatic life in both flowing and ponded ambient freshwaters. Comments were requested and GRW submitted ours on February 16, 2025. Genesee River Watch has been advocating for a phosphorus standard for flowing waters for some time and it’s good to see that NYSDEC is moving in that direction. In addition, RiverWatch comments included recommendations on how the values could be applied to new and existing wastewater discharges. See attached document for our detailed comments.
Genesee River Basin Summit: “Emerging Issues” – Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Genesee RiverWatch is hosting 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 is “Emerging Issues”. Join Genesee RiverWatch and fellow stakeholders, experts, and community members for a vital discussion on Emerging Issues affecting water quality and recreation in the Genesee River Basin. This will be a unique opportunity to learn about critical topics impacting our watershed and to participate in meaningful conversations that can drive positive change.
Emerging issues to be discussed include:
- Methods to sample dissolved greenhouse gases in the Genesee River. Learn more
- The impact of the Erie Canal on water quality of the Genesee River. Learn more
- Characterization of plastics in the Genesee. Learn more
- Wood debris removal in the Upper Genesee. Learn more
The event includes a continental breakfast, lunch and refreshments, exhibitors, and is free to attend.
The link to register and the complete agenda are below.
>> REGISTER HERE for the May 28, 2025, Summit <<
Agenda
| Time | Topic | Presentation(s) | Presenter(s) |
| 8:00 to 8:30 | Registration | Continental Breakfast | VISIT EXHIBITS |
| 8:30 to 9:15 | Opening Remarks | 1. Welcome 2. Why Emerging Issues | 1. Mike Haugh – Genesee RiverWatch 2. George Thomas – Genesee RiverWatch |
| 9:15 to 10:15 | Greenhouse Gases | Methods for Continuous Sampling of Dissolved Greenhouse Gases and Other Environmental Variables in the Genesee River (Presentation highlight) | Katie Gregory – University of Rochester |
| 10:15 to 10:45 | BREAK | Coffee Refresh | VISIT EXHIBITS |
| 10:45 to 11:45 | Erie Canal | Impact of the Erie Canal on Genesee River Water Quality (Presentation highlight) | Joe Makarewicz – Genesee RiverWatch |
| 11:45 to 12:45 | LUNCH | Provided | VISIT EXHIBITS |
| 1:00 to 1:15 | Awards | Elizabeth Thorndike Environmental Leadership Awards | Mike Storonsky – Genesee RiverWatch |
| 1:15 to 2:15 | Plastics | Characterization of Plastics in the Genesee (Presentation highlight) | Christy Tyler – Rochester Institute of Technology |
| 2:15 to 2:45 | BREAK | Cookies & Beverage Provided | VISIT EXHIBITS |
| 2:45 to 3:45 | Logjams | Woody Debris Removal Project in the Upper Genesee River Basin (Presentation highlight) | Rebecca Rowley and Rando Morgan – Genesee River Wilds and River Rangers |
| 3:45 to 4:00 | Wrap-up | Thank You | Genesee RiverWatch |
George Thomas Discusses Genesee RiverWatch Initiative on Warm 101.3
Jon Goehring of local radio station Warm 101.3 recently interviewed our executive director George Thomas about Genesee RiverWatch. Take a listen to this 15 minute recording and learn interesting facts about the Genesee, how to enjoy the river, and Genesee RiverWatch’s work to improve its water quality.
Seeking Your Support for 2025 and Beyond
Our Year End Appeal
As we bring our 50th Anniversary Year to a close, we are grateful for the community support that makes our work possible. Together, we are having a meaningful impact on the Genesee River and its surrounding communities. That is why we invite you to consider a donation of $100, $250 – or an amount of your choosing – to Genesee RiverWatch. Your donation will be matched through the end of 2024 due to the generosity of Sarah C. Mangelsdorf, President, University of Rochester & her husband Karl Rosengren, Professor of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, University of Rochester.
We launched Genesee RiverWatch 10 years ago, building on 40 years of environmental leadership of the Center for Environmental Information, started in 1974. Our mission: “To champion solutions that improve the water quality of the Genesee and initiatives that connect people to the River.” At the inaugural Genesee River Basin Summit, we presented our film “Restoring Our River, Work Worth Doing”. This short film focuses on the beauty of the Genesee, from its source in Gold, Pennsylvania to Rochester’s harbor and the work needed to preserve and enhance the Genesee for future generations. We stand by the film’s conclusion – this is indeed “Work Worth Doing”. View the film.
In that spirit, your participation in our Year End Appeal will help ensure that we have the funding in 2025 and beyond to continue our work. Any amount is welcome and appreciated! The table below summarizes our 2024 accomplishment and future plans. Our 2024 Newsletter has all the details. We hope you check it out, consider supporting our work and take advantage of the matching donation through the end of 2024!
| 2024 Work | 2025 and Beyond |
| 10th Annual Genesee River Summit Conference | Annual Summit conferences to inform public and prioritize work |
| Streambank restoration – Two sites on Oatka Creek | Streambank restoration – Babbitt’s Farm and Rush Creek |
| 2024 Public Paddling Program with City of Rochester attracted 130 first-time and experienced paddlers | Continue and expand Paddling Program exposing more people to the beauty of the Genesee |
| 50th Anniversary celebration and fundraising | Complete upgrades of access sites in Avon and Geneseo |
| Earth Day clean up below Ford Street Bridge | Continue clean up activities at key sites |
| Hired Assistant Executive Director to expand capacity and ensure continuity | Publish updated Blueway Map, adding river-adjacent hiking trails |
Newsletter 2024
Dear Friends and Supporters:
As the year comes to a close we find ourselves reflecting on a unique (and busy!) year for Genesee RiverWatch. It’s the year we celebrated our 50th anniversary as the region’s oldest locally established environmental organization, culminating in our October Gala. It’s the year we added an Assistant Executive Director (welcome Caroline!). And it’s the year we added river cleanup to our activities, helped add the names of the iconic waterfalls on the Genesee River in Rochester to federal maps and records, and the year we presented our 10th annual Genesee River Basin Summit, focusing on the Future of the Basin.
All this was accomplished while continuing our core mission of improving water quality and connecting people to the river. We completed the Oatka Creek streambank restoration demonstration project and have other major projects funded for 2025. We had our highest number of attendees at our summer paddling program, held in conjunction with the Genesee Waterways Center.
We couldn’t do any of this without our dedicated Board of Directors, volunteers and donors. Thank YOU for your continued support and dedication to our mission. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on the Genesee River and its surrounding communities.
Sincerely,
Mike Haugh, President of the Board
George Thomas, Executive Director
Genesee RiverWatch Celebrated Its 50th Anniversary with a Gala
Genesee RiverWatch and guests spent a wonderful evening celebrating our 50th anniversary with a gala on Friday, October 11, held at the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester, NY. Mike Haugh, President, and the entire Genesee RiverWatch Board of Directors thank all who attended and our generous sponsors in helping to make the evening a success and setting the stage for the next 50 years of environmental stewardship in the Genesee-Finger Lakes region.
Special thanks go to Sarah Mangelsdorf, President of the University of Rochester, and her husband, Karl Rosengren, Professor of Brain & Cognitive Sciences at the University, who are generously serving as co-Honorary Chairpersons to commemorate this half-century milestone. Sarah and Karl are supporting our anniversary fundraising effort with a generous matching gift of $10,000 that will double donations made through the end of this year.
Our keynote speaker was Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Ms. Harris also serves as co-chair of the New York State Climate Action Council. Other distinguished speakers were Elizabeth Thorndike, co-founder of the Center for Environmental Information, or CEI – the forerunner organization to Genesee RiverWatch – and George Thomas, Executive Director of Genesee RiverWatch.
Read all about the Gala here!
Genesee River Basin Summit 2024 Wrap-Up: “The Future of the Basin”
Genesee RiverWatch hosted its 10th annual Genesee River Basin Summit on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at the Rochester Institute of Technology. The topic of this year’s summit was “The Future of the Basin”. It brought together key stakeholders, experts and community members to discuss and collaborate on strategies and plans to enhance the environmental, economic and recreational aspects of the Genesee River Basin.
Among the topics discussed, attendees learned about the NY Department of Conservation’s commitment to the Genesee River Watershed and the City of Rochester’s Roc the Riverway initiative. The full agenda and presentations can be found here. We are grateful to the Rochester Area Community Foundation (RACF) for sponsoring this year’s Summit event and for their commitment to the future of the Genesee River as a community resource. RACF was also the sponsor of our inaugural Summit in 2014! Learn more.
A Genesee Paddling Season for the Record Books!
Interest in paddling the Genesee keeps growing year by year! For the five events of 2024, 130 people joined us – up from 102 last year, which was itself a record for this program that started in 2018. Genesee RiverWatch partners with the Genesee Waterways Center and the City of Rochester to offer this summer series of on-the-water kayak paddles because we feel strongly that the best way to really appreciate the Genesee is to explore it from water level, along with the herons, turtles, muskrat, mink, and occasional eagles that make their homes on the river and its banks.
This season’s paddles included two “learn to paddle” events, Kayak Cleanup, City Skyline and Roc the RiverWay. Learn more.
Streambank Restoration & Agricultural Best Management
Our work to improve water quality includes stabilizing and restoring eroding streambanks and applying agricultural best management practices that reduce sediment and phosphorus loads to the river, and that 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.
2024 Project Updates
Evaluation of Streambank Restoration Techniques on Oatka Creek
Genesee RiverWatch has completed an evaluation of novel streambank restoration techniques on Oatka Creek. The study used bio-engineering techniques that create aquatic and riparian habitat, making maximum use of materials available on-site and minimizing purchased materials and equipment from off-site. This project was funded by a grant from NYS Sea Grant and completed in partnership with the Oatka Creek Watershed Committee and Genesee Country Village and Museum. Learn more and read the White Paper.
Babbitt’s Farm – Genesee River Streambank Restoration
The project will restore 850 feet of highly eroded streambank on Babbitt’s Farm north of Caneadea, NY. We will also install river training structures to prevent further erosion at the site and downstream, affecting 2,250 feet of riverbed. 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. The design process was delayed and is now expected to be completed by year-end with construction planned for the summer of 2025.
Rush Creek Riparian Restoration
A $212K grant from National Fish & Wildlife Foundation/Sustain Our Great Lakes with $245K matching work by Allegany County Highway Department and Allegany County S&WCD will enable us to stabilize and re-direct the flow of Rush Creek to prevent erosion both on the creek itself and on the West Bank of the Genesee, where the creek meets the river. This is a complex project with significant regulatory/environmental issues and several landowners involved. We are working toward a design for this project in the spring of 2025. We expect to submit the permit application by early 2025 and begin construction in the fall of 2025.
Other News
Caroline Kilmer Named Assistant Executive Director
Caroline Kilmer has joined Genesee RiverWatch as our Assistant Executive Director. Caroline grew up in Pittsford and received her B.A. in biology from SUNY Oswego and her M.S. degree in biology from Illinois State University, both with a focus on conservation. She brings over 20 years of experience working in the field of water quality, including, from 2004-2011, Executive Director of the Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District. During her tenure, she formed partnerships and implemented new initiatives with local stakeholders including landowners, farmers, government agencies, non-profits, academia and the construction industry.
In 2011, Caroline left the Soil and Water District and started CMK Consulting LLC, a NYS certified woman-owned stormwater consulting business. She is also a member of the Town of Pittsford Environmental Board. Caroline lives with her husband and 2 sons and together they enjoy spending time outdoors hiking, skiing and sailing on Lake Ontario. Caroline is looking forward to using her experience and knowledge to support the mission and goals of the Genesee River Watch. Learn more about Caroline!
Genesee RiverWatch Welcomes “New” Board Members
We are pleased to give a belated welcome to Michael Chislock, PhD who joined our board in January, 2024. Michael is an Associate Professor of Limnology in the Department of Environmental Science and Ecology at SUNY Brockport. As a board member, Michael looks forward to supporting efforts in the watershed while engaging SUNY Brockport students, staff, and faculty on interdisciplinary efforts that address existing and future challenges in the watershed.
We note with sadness the passing of Matthew Altenritter, PhD in March, 2024. Matthew, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Ecology at SUNY Brockport had also joined the board in January, 2024. We were looking forward to collaborating with Matthew to explore novel avenues for addressing concerns and knowledge gaps throughout the Genesee watershed. We extend our deepest sympathies to Matthew’s family.
Learn more about our Staff and Board of Directors.
Elizabeth Thorndike Environmental Leadership Awards
Genesee RiverWatch has recognized its 2024 Elizabeth Thorndike Environmental Leadership Award recipients:
- Letchworth State Park – This NY State park and its 14,000 acre, 17 mile long stretch of the Genesee River is an environmental, recreational, and educational resource for the entire region. Twice voted Best State Park in the US by the USA Today Readers Poll, Letchworth attracted over 975,000 visitors in 2023.
- Peter Lent – Until recently, Pete was a Board Member of Genesee RiverWatch, serving a key member of the Board group that developed the Genesee RiverWatch initiative and launched it at the first Basin Summit in 2014. Over the past 10 years, Pete has been a valued member of the RiverWatch Operations and Technical committees and has served several terms as chairman of the Board Nominating Committee. He has been involved with all our major riverbank stabilization projects, organized volunteers for planting events, and helped lead the volunteer team collecting turbidity and orthophosphate data from the Genesee and its tributaries.
- S. Ram Shrivastava – The Center for Environmental Initiatives and Genesee RiverWatch have been the beneficiaries Ram’s experience and wise counsel for over 31 years – the longest tenure of any board member in our history! As a life-long contributor to the environmental improvement of western New York and to the success of CEI and Genesee RiverWatch, Ram Shrivastava is a perfect example of the spirit behind the Thorndike Environmental Leadership Award.
The awards are 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”. 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. Learn more about our Award winners!
Genesee River Waterfalls Added to Official Federal Maps
Thanks to a collaboration between Genesee RiverWatch and the City of Rochester, the names of the three iconic waterfalls on the Genesee River in Rochester have now been officially added to federal maps and records, ending an oversight dating back almost 130 years. The names we all know them by – High Falls, Middle Falls and Lower Falls – were never included on U.S. Geological Survey maps or the official database of American place names until now. After Rochester City’s Council unanimously passed a resolution on May 20 supporting the request, Mayor Malik D. Evans presented Genesee RiverWatch with a proclamation at our annual Genesee River Basin Summit on May 22 that endorsed the action. Learn more.
Earth Day Cleanup!
On Saturday, April 13, 2024, volunteers from Genesee RiverWatch, in cooperation with the City of Rochester, conducted a cleanup of trash that had been accumulating on the east bank of the Genesee River near downtown Rochester. We were happy to help the South Wedge neighborhood! Learn more.
Canoe/Kayak Access Projects
Genesee RiverWatch is continuing to work with our partners (USFWS, villages of Avon, Geneseo) to improve car-top boating access sites off Route 20 in the village of Avon and at Geneseo River Access Park in the village of Geneseo. Funding includes $87K from the Kodak Environmental Response Trust. Engineering plans have been finalized and permit applications submitted. We are hopeful construction can be completed next summer.
Quick Notes:
Recreation in the Genesee River Basin
The Genesee River Basin is filled with natural beauty and abundant wildlife. Check out our “Recreation” page to find hiking, paddling and fishing opportunities on the Genesee.
Photo Galleries
Ever since we launched Genesee RiverWatch, we have planned to organize the many beautiful photos taken by Genesee RiverWatch volunteers into Photo Galleries. We have finally got a start and invite you to check out on our new Photo Galleries page.
Genesee River Blueway Map Update
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. Currently, 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. We have begun the process of adding hiking trails along the river and plan more updates in the future.
Donor Support Helps Us Do Our Work – Please Support our Year End Appeal!
Genesee RiverWatch relies heavily on community support to continue its work of improving water quality and connecting people to the river. We are very appreciative of Our Supporters. As part of our 50th Anniversary year, donations will be matched through the end of 2024 due to the generosity of Sarah C. Mangelsdorf, President, University of Rochester & her husband Karl Rosengren, Professor of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, University of Rochester. We hope you consider supporting our work!
A Genesee Paddling Season for the Record Books!
Interest in paddling the Genesee keeps growing year by year! For the five events of 2024, 130 people joined us – up from 102 last year, which was itself a record for this program that started in 2018. Genesee RiverWatch partners with the Genesee Waterways Center and the City of Rochester to offer this summer series of on-the-water kayak paddles because we feel strongly that the best way to really appreciate the Genesee is to explore it from water level, along with the herons, turtles, muskrat, mink, and occasional eagles that make their homes on the river and its banks.
June 28th Paddle
We began the season on June 28th with a free evening “Learn to Paddle & Ice Cream Social” program. Waterways Center, City, and RiverWatch staff were on hand as guides and instructors for those new to kayaking. The evening was sunny and warm. Bryan Wang provided guitar accompaniment and Lucia’s Ice Cream made for a perfect ending to this day on the river.
July 13th Paddle
July 13th again focused on learning to paddle, but we expanded our horizon by going up the Genesee to the Erie Canal and from there into Red Creek. This narrow and secluded by-way is home to painted turtles, white egrets, geese, and muskrats. As we paddled up the creek, away from I-390 and under the Genesee Valley Park bridges, the trees grew over the waterway, forming an almost silent green tunnel, broken by stretches of open sun.
July 24th Paddle
July 24th found us back on Red Creek with our “Genesee River Kayak Cleanup” paddle. We were joined by staff from the Seneca Park Zoo who weighed and categorized the trash collected and by Katie Stoss from RIT who described the new RIT/UR Lake Ontario Center for Microplastics and Human Health in a Changing Environment.
August 17th Paddle
The “City Skyline Paddle” on August 17th, took us downriver, past the university of Rochester, to the Ford Street Bridge where we discussed the buildings visible from the river and some of the history of canals, railroads, and floods that have left their imprint along the Genesee. Though the weather looked threatening, we stayed warm and dry for the entire trip.
October 5th Paddle – Roc the Riverway Weekend
Our final paddle of the season took place on October 5th – Roc the Riverway Weekend. Again, we did a “Kayak Cleanup”, this time downriver through the University toward Corn Hill. It was a lovely warm fall day with the leaves beginning to turn. 15 paddlers did great work, picking up trash along the riverbank which the Seneca Park Zoo staff again weighed and categorized for their on-going study.
2025 Plans
For 2025, we hope to hold six events, including two “Learn to Paddle” programs and the very popular “Kayak Cleanup” trips. We also hope to return to the Lower River with a trip from Seth Green Park to the harbor through the wildlife- and history-rich area we call the “Wilderness in a City”. Also on the wish list is a repeat of 2023’s trip through Erie Canal Lock 33 – always spectacular from the seat of a kayak!
Join us next year to personally experience the magic of the Genesee and its adjacent waters.
Have a wonderful winter – and take the opportunity to walk the river’s banks following one of the hikes outlined at Hiking in the Genesee River Basin | Genesee RiverWatch.
