Genesee RiverWatch2024 Paddles on the Genesee
Each summer, Genesee RiverWatch partners with the Genesee Waterways Center for organized paddles on the Genesee River. Pre-Registration is required at the Genesee Waterways Website. We continue to be guided by the idea that there is no substitute for experiencing the Genesee from water level. Check out our Photo Galleries of previous paddles.
Paddle dates for 2024 are:
- Learn to Paddle – Saturday, July 13, 2024 – 10:00am – 1:00pm
- A guided paddle down the Genesee River to the Erie Canal and up Red Creek
- Genesee River Kayak Cleanup – Wednesday, July 24, 2024 – 5:30pm – 7:30pm
- Learn about environmental stewardship while getting out on the water and actually helping to protect our waterways with this hands-on, educational paddle through the Genesee River, Erie Canal and Red Creek
- PADDLE CHANGE: City Skyline Paddle – Saturday, August 17, 2024 – 10:00am – 1:00pm
- For experienced paddlers – Take in the stunning Rochester City Skyline from the comfort of a kayak! Join our guided tour as we paddle past Corn Hill Landing to the Ford Street bridge on the Genesee River, offering you a one-of-a-kind perspective of the cityscape. This journey is over 4 miles long and requires endurance and paddling efficiency!
- Kayak Clean Up and Roc the Riverway (RTR) Projects – Saturday, October 5, 2024 3:00pm – 6:00pm
- Celebrate ROC the Riverway Weekend & see Genesee riverfront development projects up close
Please Note: Due to staffing changes at the Genesee Waterways Center, the Kayak Lower Falls Gorge paddle originally scheduled for August 17 has been changed to the City Skyline Paddle. The Erie Canal paddle scheduled for Sept 14 has been cancelled.
For more information and to pre-register (required), visit the Genesee Waterways website. Scroll down to find the event(s) you’re interested in. Register soon – space is limited.
See you on the River!
Paddle to Red Creek with Us on Saturday, July 13, 2024
Register soon – space is limited. Pre-register (required) here.
Join us on Saturday, July 13, 10:00AM-1:00PM, at the Genesee Waterways Center, 149 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14611, for an unforgettable paddle adventure to Red Creek.
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.
Whether you’re a seasoned paddler or a beginner, we have everything you need for a safe and enjoyable experience. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to create unforgettable memories and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the surroundings while paddling with our experienced team. Join us for a leisurely journey to Red Creek, a hidden gem abundant with wildlife, including great blue herons, kingfishers, painted turtles, and more!
Here’s what you need to know and to pre-register (required).
Hope to see you there!
Upcoming Paddling Events
Several more paddle events are scheduled for this summer. For more information and to pre-register (required), click here.
Stewardship Paddle – Wednesday, July 24, 2024 – 5:30-7:25pm – Help protect our waterways with this hands-on, educational paddle
PADDLE CHANGE: City Skyline Paddle – Saturday, August 17, 2024 – 10:00am-1:00pm – For experienced paddlers. Take in the stunning Rochester City Skyline from the comfort of a kayak!
CANCELLED Erie Canal Paddle – Saturday, September 14, 2024 – 10:00am-1:00pm – Journey from the Waterways Center to Lock 32
Kayak Clean Up and RTR projects – Saturday, October 5, 2024 – 3:00-5:00pm – Celebrate ROC the Riverway Weekend & see Genesee riverfront development projects up close
Please Note: Due to staffing changes at the Genesee Waterways Center, the Kayak Lower Falls Gorge paddle originally scheduled for August 17 has been changed to the City Skyline Paddle. The Erie Canal paddle scheduled for Sept 14 has been cancelled.
Celebrating 50 Years of Environmental Leadership
The Center for Environmental Information (CEI) was launched in 1974, coming on the heels of an unprecedented wave of environmental consciousness that swept across America in the early 1970s. A dedicated group of six women, led by Elizabeth Thorndike, recognized the need for a Rochester regional environmental information clearinghouse and founded the Center for Environmental Information (CEI) – our parent organization. In the following decades, CEI was a vital source of information in a pre-internet era and served to convene and collaborate on major issues such as Acid Rain, Global Climate Change and the water quality of Lake Ontario and its tributaries. In 2014, CEI launched Genesee RiverWatch. In so doing, we maintain the same values that have guided our work for 50 years: integrity, a focus on science and data, passion for our work, collaboration, cooperation, and practicality.
We invite you to read about CEI’s decades of past accomplishments, be inspired to get involved, and support Genesee RiverWatch’s on-going environmental stewardship.
River Cleanup Organized by Genesee RiverWatch
Check out this news report about our Early 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 has been accumulating on the east bank of the Genesee River near downtown Rochester. We were happy to help the South Wedge neighborhood! Top photo by Gladys Pedraza Burgos.
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/rochester/news/2024/04/13/genesee-river-cleanup?cid=share_email
Join Us on Our Journey to Protect the Genesee River – Like Our New Facebook Page!
Dear Friends and Supporters,
We are happy to announce the launch of our new and improved Facebook page for Genesee RiverWatch! As part of our ongoing efforts to protect and enhance the Genesee River Basin, we’ve created this updated platform to connect with our community, share updates on our work, highlight opportunities for community involvement, and provide information about the Genesee River Basin.
How to Follow Us:
- Visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/geneseeriverwatch
- Click the “Like” button to follow our page.
- Share our page with friends and family who share our passion for the Genesee River and river conservation.
By liking our Facebook page, you’re taking a positive step toward staying connected with Genesee RiverWatch and supporting our mission to protect the Genesee River. Together, we can ensure that this vital resource remains clean, healthy, and vibrant for generations to come.
You can also find us on “X” at @GeneseeRvrWtch
Thank you for your support and commitment to river conservation. We look forward to connecting with you on Facebook!
Warm regards,
The Genesee RiverWatch Team
Genesee River Basin Summit: “The Future of the Basin” – Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Genesee RiverWatch is hosting 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 is “The Future of the Basin”. It will bring 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. The link to register and the complete agenda are below.
RACF Sponsorship
Genesee RiverWatch is pleased to announce that the Rochester Area Community Foundation is sponsoring this year’s Summit event. RACF was also the sponsor of our inaugural Summit in 2014. We thank them for this support and for their commitment to the future of the Genesee River as a community resource.
>> REGISTER HERE for the May 22, 2024 Summit <<
The Future of the Basin: Agenda
| Time | Topic | Presentation(s) | Presenter(s) |
| 8:00 to 8:30 | Registration | Continental Breakfast | VISIT EXHIBITS |
| 8:30 to 9:00 | Welcome | 1. Welcome 2. CEI/Genesee RiverWatch 50th Anniversary Celebration | 1. Steve Orr – Genesee RiverWatch 2. Mike Haugh – Genesee RiverWatch |
| 9:00 to 10:15 | Basin-wide Initiatives | 1. Genesee RiverWatch: Formation, Current and Future Work 2. Genesee River Watershed Implementation Plan | 1. George Thomas – Genesee RiverWatch 2. Ryan Elliott – NYS Department of Environmental Conservation |
| 10:15 to 10:45 | BREAK | Coffee Refresh | VISIT EXHIBITS |
| 10:45 to 12:15 | Why should we care about the river? | 1. City of Rochester Perspective 2. Economic Development Perspective – ROC the Riverway | 1. Malik Evans – Mayor, City of Rochester 2. Vinnie Esposito – NYS Economic Development |
| 12:15 to 1:00 | LUNCH | Provided | VISIT EXHIBITS |
| 1:00 to 1:15 | Awards | Elizabeth Thorndike Environmental Leadership Awards | |
| 1:15 to 2:45 | Regional Perspectives | 1. Allegany County 2. Livingston County | 1. Kier Dirlam – Allegany County Planning 2. Kelly Burns – Livingston County Tourism |
| 2:45 to 3:00 | BREAK | Cookies & Beverage Provided | VISIT EXHIBITS |
| 3:00 to 4:30 | Recreational Opportunities | 1. Paddling in the Upper Basin 2. Paddling in the Lower & Middle Basin 3. Recreational Initiative in the Upper Basin | 1. Rebecca Rowley – Genesee River Wilds 2. Amanda Matkosky – Genesee RiverWatch 3. Anna Huizenga – Houghton University |
| 4:30 to 4:45 | Wrap-up | Next Steps | Genesee RiverWatch |
Seeking Your Support for 2024
Our Year End Appeal
Please consider a donation of $100, $250 – or an amount of your choosing – in Genesee RiverWatch as a part of your year-end giving plan as we continue our work to improve the water quality of the Genesee River and its tributaries and to connect people to the river.
We are about to turn 50!
In the spring of 1974, the Center for Environmental Information (CEI) was launched as a non-profit organization. It focused on convening experts and organizations, providing education, and disseminating information on environmental matters of concern to the Rochester/Upstate New York region. Over the following 50 years, the needs of effective environmental stewardship have evolved, and we have matured to meet them. Today, under the banner of Genesee RiverWatch, we focus our attention on championing solutions that improve the water quality of the Genesee and initiatives that connect people to the river. Our guiding principles remain focused on convening stakeholders, educating the public, and providing information; but today we add implementation of projects to this list of core strategies.
We are planning a number of activities for 2024 that will celebrate our 50th year of environmental stewardship and bring more attention to the needs and opportunities of the Genesee River. We hope you will join us in honoring the history of CEI and committing ourselves to addressing the challenges facing Genesee RiverWatch.
In that spirit, your participation in our Year End Appeal will help ensure that we have the funding in 2024 to execute the work now on our schedule and to design the projects and events that will be delivered in 2025 and beyond. Some of these include:
| 2024 Work | 2025 and Beyond |
| 2024 Genesee River Summit Conference | Continuing Annual Summit conferences |
| Streambank restoration – Oatka Creek, Fillmore, and Caneadea | Canaseraga Creek Watershed restoration plan implementation |
| Completing river access site improvements in Avon & Geneseo | Continuing Genesee River streambank restoration program |
| 2024 Public Paddling Program w/ City of Rochester | Adding new & improving existing river access sites |
| Updating Genesee River Report Card | Expanding paddling program, including inner city youth |
Your donations to Genesee RiverWatch make the work of developing these projects and conducting these events possible. Please consider an investment of $100, $250 – or an amount of your choosing – in Genesee RiverWatch as a part of your year-end giving plan.
Sincerely,
Fall Newsletter 2023
Dear Friends and Supporters:
As we transition from the vibrant colors of fall to the upcoming winter, we are pleased to bring you the latest edition of our newsletter. Join us as we reflect on the successes of the past season and peek ahead into the New Year. From environmental stewardship activities such as streambank restoration to community engagement opportunities such as river paddling events, we are committed to fostering a deeper connection between individuals and the Genesee River. In this issue, we share updates on our ongoing efforts to champion solutions that improve the water quality of the Genesee River Basin and connect people to this invaluable natural resource. 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
Recreation in the Genesee River Basin
The Genesee River Basin is filled with natural beauty and abundant wildlife. Whether you are looking for a woodland or riverside walk, an experience paddling on the River or relaxing time fishing…the Genesee has something to offer. We have recently added “Recreation” as a key segment of our website’s Home Page. From here, you can easily access a wealth of information on the activities outlined below:
Hiking
There are wonderful hiking opportunities in the Genesee River Basin. Trail systems include the Genesee Riverway in the City of Rochester, the Genesee Valley Greenway that extends 90 miles from Rochester to Cuba, the 15-mile Lehigh Valley Trail in southern Monroe County and extensive network of routes in Letchworth State Park. From these, we have compiled our own list of trails that – as a rule – are less well known and should have very little traffic. Trail descriptions.
Paddling on the River
The Genesee River Blueway Map is available for use by canoeists and kayakers who wish to explore and connect with the river. In addition, each year Genesee RiverWatch partners with the Genesee Waterways Center and the City of Rochester for organized Summer Paddles on the Genesee River.
Fishing
The Genesee River and its tributaries offer a rich variety of angling opportunities – from fly-casting for trout in sparkling clear water to fighting huge salmon near the base of a 100-foot waterfall. Learn more.
2023 Paddling Season Wrap-up
Our heartfelt thanks to those who joined us in making 2023’s summer paddling season on the Genesee the most successful ever. 102 paddlers joined us during the five events this summer – far more than in any previous year!
Genesee RiverWatch, in partnership with the Genesee Waterways Center and the City of Rochester, has offered summer paddles on the river since 2018. We feel strongly that the best way to really appreciate this marvelous asset 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. Read about all the paddles here.
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.
2023 Project Updates
Agricultural Best Management Practices (Ag BMPs) in Livingston County
Work was completed on five Agricultural Best Management Practices projects in September 2023 to reduce nutrient loads from the Jaycox Creek-Genesee River watershed. The funding for this work was granted in part based upon a 2018 study by Genesee RiverWatch that identified 32 significant gullies on the main stem of the Genesee River in the Jaycox Creek-Genesee River Watershed.
Ultimately projects were designed and implemented by Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District that utilized 23 Ag BMPs at five sites as described in the table below. Genesee RiverWatch provided project management services for this project, including financial management and reporting quarterly, to the grant provider, the Great Lakes Commission.
| Project | Work Done | Total Cost (K$) | Grant (K$) | Match (K$) | Match (%) |
| North Road | WASCOBS*, underground outlets, sub-surface drainage, grassed waterways | $153.1 | $ 61.9 | $ 91.3 | 60% |
| KJ Farms | Heavy use area protection | $ 19.6 | $ 14.7 | $ 4.8 | 25% |
| Brady Farm | WASCOBS*, underground outlets, sub-surface drainage | $ 47.8 | $ 31.6 | $ 16.2 | 34% |
| Mt. Pleasant | Catch basin, retention pond, access road | $119.2 | $ 41.8 | $ 77.4 | 65% |
| Baily Farm | Contour farming | $ 29.6 | $ 25.6 | $ 3.9 | 13% |
| Total | $369.4 | $175.6 | $193.7 | 52% |
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. This 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. Detailed design is in progress. A pre-application meeting with NYSDEC and the Army Corps of Engineers will be held by year end 2023. We are currently working on a Memorandum of Understanding with the 3 landowners that will be impacted and plan to submit permit applications this winter for 2024 construction.
Oatka Creek – Genesee River Tributary Streambank Restoration
New York Sea Grant has awarded Genesee RiverWatch a $48,400 grant to restore eroded streambanks and prevent erosion on Oatka Creek using bio-engineering techniques that create aquatic and riparian habitat. The project design will demonstrate an approach that maximizes the use of on-site materials and minimizes the use of costly materials and equipment from off-site. The State Historic Preservation Office and NYSDEC have approved our permit applications. We are preparing a response to comments received from the Army Corps of Engineers and expect to receive our permits by year end 2023. Construction will be completed next summer.
Rush Creek Riparian Restoration
A grant from National Fish & Wildlife Foundation/Sustain Our Great Lakes and a significant amount of 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 expect to submit the permit application by early 2024 and begin construction in the fall of 2024.
Quick Notes:
Genesee RiverWatch Welcomes New Board Members
We are pleased to welcome Steve Orr and Kristen Traywick to our Board of Directors:
- Steve Orr – For 40 years, Steve was a leading reporter and columnist for the Democrat and Chronicle in Rochester. In that time, his most enduring interest and impactful work centered on the environment and natural resource conservation.
- Kristin Traywick – Kristin works as Senior Director, Finance – Clinical Trials at ACM Global Laboratories. Kristin has a long history of volunteering including as a previous volunteer for Genesee RiverWatch, Wildtracks in Belize, and Merazonia, a wildlife rescue organization in Ecuador.
Learn more about our Staff and Board of Directors.
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 that will allow you to custom plan your route and print a more detailed map specific to your plan. In the Spring we will release an updated map, adding hiking trails along the river, new access sites, and areas where Genesee RiverWatch has executed river improvement projects. Watch your email and our website for the announcement of this major upgrade.
Canoe/Kayak Access Projects
Genesee RiverWatch is continuing to work to improve access to the river for fishing and car-top boaters. We have begun work with our partners to improve boating access sites off Route 20 in the village of Avon and at Geneseo River Access Park in the village of Geneseo. Engineering plans have been finalized and permit applications submitted. Construction is to be completed next summer.
Anticipating Our 50th Anniversary in 2024
Genesee RiverWatch launched in 2014 but it is important to note that we grew directly out of the Center for Environmental Information (CEI), formed in 1974 – so yes, we will soon be 50 years old! The organization carries on the CEI principles of – Collaboration, Education and Public Information. To these Genesee RiverWatch adds implementation of projects. You will be hearing more about this history and our celebration in 2024.
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. Please consider a donation.
Summer 2023 Paddling Season Wrap-up
Our heartfelt thanks to those who joined us in making 2023’s summer paddling season on the Genesee the most successful ever. 102 paddlers joined us during the five events this summer – far more than in any previous year!
Genesee RiverWatch, in partnership with the Genesee Waterways Center and the City of Rochester, has offered summer paddles on the river since 2018. We feel strongly that the best way to really appreciate this marvelous asset 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 began the season on June 23rd with an evening “Family Fun Day – Learn to Paddle” program. Waterways Center and RiverWatch staff were on the water as guides and instructors for those new to kayaking. The threat of rain clearly didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits as the photo below attests.
On July 9th we paddled up the Genesee to the Erie Canal and from there to 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. Eventually, we were blocked by fallen logs and had to turn around and retrace our steps back to the river.
August 5th found us back on Red Creek with our “Environmental Stewardship” paddle. We were joined by staff from Seneca Park Zoo who described the invasive threats to our waters and well as adding to our knowledge of the creek’s resident fauna. Along the way, we picked up trash that had accumulated in the creek from the adjoining park activities.
Our fourth event, on September 17th, was a “first time ever” event for all of us. We paddled 4.5 miles up the Erie Canal to Lock 33 at Edgewood Avenue. Going through an Erie Canal lock in a kayak and getting a water-level view of the lock’s operation and massive scale was an opportunity none of us will soon forget. Leaving the lock, we feasted on apples from a tree overhanging the canal, then exited at the White-Water Paddling Center at Lock 32 in Pittsford.
Our final paddle of the season took place on October 7th – Roc the Riverway Weekend. On a chilly and breezy day, we paddled downriver from the Waterways Center to the Ford Street Bridge, enjoying the fall foliage and Rochester city skyline.
Photo Gallery July, 2023 Genesee River to Red Creek
To enlarge, click the image. Images can be downloaded for sharing and personal use. Right click to get options.
