Genesee RiverWatch collaborates with others to improve the water quality and climate resilience in the Basin. The two biggest causes of poor water quality in the basin are sediment and excess nutrients. We design, obtain funding for, and execute projects to restore streambanks and implement Best Management Practices to reduce phosphorus and sediment load in the river, reduce/avoid greenhouse gas emissions and preserve valuable farmland. Our work involves:

• Restoring streambanks that preserve critical farmland and reduces river-borne sediment
• Promoting technologies that make clean water economically viable
• Leveraging the strength of basin-wide partnerships to increase funding prospects for Genesee River Basin projects to the benefit of all citizens.

Latest News

• Our Final 2025 Genesee River Cleanup Was A Success! December 1, 2025
  Thank you to everyone that helped with our final river cleanup for 2025!
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• The Erie Canal and Genesee River Water Quality July 27, 2025
  As part of Channel 10's series on the Erie Canal, Genesee RiverWatch talks about the effect of the Erie Canal on the Genesee River
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• Genesee RiverWatch Provides Comments on NYSDEC’s Proposed Water Quality Guidance Values (GVs) for Phosphorus April 17, 2025
  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 ...
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• Novel Streambank Restoration Techniques Evaluated on Oatka Creek November 5, 2024
  Genesee RiverWatch has published a White Paper describing novel streambank restoration techniques on Oatka Creek
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• The Genesee River Basin: Getting the Attention it Deserves August 18, 2024
  Genesee River Basin stakeholders are accelerating the implementation of best management practices to reduce phosphorus and sediment impacts in the Genesee, its tributaries, and Lake Ontario. 
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• River Cleanup Organized by Genesee RiverWatch May 6, 2024
  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 ...
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• Jaycox Creek Watershed Agricultural Best Management Practices October 8, 2023
  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 ...
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• Phosphorus: WXXI Connections – Genesee RiverWatch Discussing Impacts to Water Quality April 6, 2023
  A discussion with Evan Dawson of WXXI about Phosphorus and its Impact on Water Quality
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• Mallards Dairy 2019 Streambank Restoration Project – Houghton January 11, 2023
  Genesee RiverWatch has completed the project to stabilize and restore 1800′ of eroding streambank near Houghton, NY in the Town of Caneadea. The project was funded by the Great Lakes Commission ($197 K) and the owner of Mallards Dairy who ...
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• The Story Behind the Houghton Streambank Project December 8, 2021
  This article is part of Genesee RiverWatch’s 2021 Year End Appeal Series – telling the stories behind our significant accomplishments. In 2017-18 we completed our first streambank restoration project at a site near Belfast, NY, owned by Mallards Dairy, LLC.  Our ...
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