Genesee, Allegheny rivers call to boaters, anglers and wildlife buffs

Two hundred years ago, local rivers were the highways of their day — hauling the lumber to build New York and Pittsburgh, feeding a growing nation, and transporting settlers west.

Today, through the efforts of several groups, local rivers have tapped into the rivers for recreation and tourism.

Genesee River

With the Genesee River Wilds, 18 access points have been added to the Genesee River from the Pennsylvania border to Letchworth State Park.

New wayfinding signs were installed in late 2020 to help boaters find places to put in. Mile markers and reflective signs have made judging distances and navigation easier.

The sign project was part of the Genesee River becoming part of a Genesee River Blueway Map, which is now available. By looking for the Genesee Blueway map on the Genesee RiverWatch website, enthusiasts can find a downloadable map which displays current river access locations from Pennsylvania through Allegany County, all the way to Lake Ontario. A web-based Interactive Map gives users detailed information about each access point, including photos of the sites.

Genesee RiverWatch partnered with the Genesee Valley Conservancy and Genesee River Wilds to update the Genesee River Blueway Trail Map. The project was funded by a $25,000 New York Sea Grant and had the support of the Greater Allegany County Chamber of Commerce.

The long-term plan of Genesee River Wilds is its Triple Divide trail system that will link the Genesee Valley Greenway via the WAG Trail with the Pine Creek Trail in Pennsylvania to become the centerpiece of a unique recreational corridor that will run from Rochester to Williamsport, Pa. The trail will facilitate bikers, hikers and those navigating the rivers.

Genesee River Wilds is dedicated to restoring, protecting and enjoying the upper Genesee River For more information go to www.geneseeriverwilds. com or look for it on Facebook.

Allegheny River

The farthest upstream site serving New York is actually in Pennsylvania.

Genesee, Alleghany rivers

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In Ceres Township, just the other side of the border, is a launch on Oswayo Creek, which flows into the Allegheny River near Portville. Downstream 6.6 miles is a second launch on the creek, found just outside of Portville adjacent to the Route 305 bridge.

Another 1.4 miles downstream is an undeveloped site at the confluence of the river and Dodge Creek, which officials have been planning a more formal development at the site. A launch at Steam Valley Road — another 2.7 miles downstream — just northwest of Portville offers a paved parking area, several picnic benches and other amenities.

Floating another 4.7 miles, the city of Olean owns a launch site just west of the South Union Street bridge, which includes a small picnic area. The city applied to Cattaraugus County in May seeking to build an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant launch at the site.

A similar launch has been built off the First Street bridge in Allegany, another 4.7 miles, which puts boaters near local restaurants and businesses. The old North Nine Mile Bridge is nine miles away, while a launch area is also available off of Route 219 at Bradford Junction at 8.8 miles from Allegany. Wildwood Avenue in Salamanca — another 8 miles — hosts a put-in. Across town, the city of Salamanca, the Seneca Nation of Indians and the Cattaraugus County public works department partnered in 2020 to build a boat launch at the Iroquois Drive and Front Avenue access point of the river in the west end of the city.