Rambling River

Mirrored by State Route 19, from the state line to its northern border, the Genesee River offers a variety of opportunities as it twists and turns its way through Allegany County.

No matter where you are in the County you are never more than about 25 miles from the banks of the Genesee which drops 2,250 feet from its source in the hills near Gold, PA to Irondequoit Bay on Lake Ontario. It is one of the few rivers in the Northern Hemisphere which flows north.

The width of this shallow river varies from something you can step across in high summer to several feet wide near Fillmore. Its depth varies depending on the time of year. In high summer it is generally very low. Recent years, however, have seen a good flow throughout the seasons with its deepest point generally occurring in late spring.

Created by the Ice Age, in latter centuries the Genesee River, was the historic border between the lands of the Seneca Indians in the East and the Erie and Wenro tribes to the West. It takes its name from the Iroquois words meaning “beautiful valley” and from the Casconchiagon language meaning “the river of many falls.” It is 158 miles long. In the early 1800s there were six, permanent Indian encampments along its banks, with one of the largest located in Canacadea in Allegany County.

The river’s first 40 miles, after crossing the state line at Genesee, PA, are located within Allegany County. This part of the river offers a treasure trove of opportunities from fishing and water sports to horseback riding and exploring for arrowheads and fossils.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation notes that there are 18 miles of fishing easements with a 2.5 mile stretch near Shongo restricted to Catch and Release. It is popular for trout fishing.

Yearly the DEC stocks the river with yearling brown and rainbow trout from the PA border to the Belmont falls. There are two handicap accessible fishing docks, one located in Island Park in Wellsville and the other at the falls in Belmont. Each year, in April, the Lions Club offers the Great Wellsville Trout Derby with prize money reaching upwards to $25,000. Registration is throughout the weekend long event and there is camping along the river and in the park.

Camping with river access is also located at Trout Run Campgrund in Wellsville and Riverside Campground in Scio. The Wellsville Microtel is also located a stone’s throw from the river.

Maps of the fishing easements are available from the DEC.

A local group, Genesee River Wilds promotes kayaking and canoeing on the river. With the help of local supporters, businesses, state and federal grants GRW has created 18 River Access points stretching from Genesee to Canacadea. These areas provide easy launch and take-out sites as well as an informational kiosks and parking. The group has also installed mile markers and informational signs along the river’s course.

They provide information about the river and conditions and sponsored events on their website at geneseeriverwilds@gmail. com

In the mid-19th Century, after the success of the Erie Canal, the Genesee Barge

Canal was constructed along much of the Genesee riverbank. The canal was built to link Rochester to Olean. Later, the railroad followed the same route. In recent years the Genesee Valley Greenway Trail was developed and follows the same course. It enters Allegany County north of Fillmore and continues south to Cuba separating from the Genesee in Black Creek. For hikers and bikers it offers views of a canal culvert in Black Creek and the last remaining canal warehouse structure in Belfast, along with easy, level terrain. Farther south, in Wellsville the WAG Trail also offers an easy, level hike or walk with access for non-motorized vehicles along the river to the state line; nine miles. With its wildlife and scenic beauty, it offers a cornucopia of creative photography. In recent months the trail has been enhanced with the addition of the Airbnb, The WAG Trail Inn which along with fine dining, treehouse accommodations, and views of the river, offers horseback riding.

In 1943, Rochester newspaperman Arch Merrill hiked the river and wrote River Ramble. It is a book about the river, towns, sites and people living along the Genesee River. Those characters may be gone now, but the sites and the towns are still there and offer a great chance to take that fishing pole, paddle or hiking stick in hand and experience life along the Genesee.