River Gauges

There are river gauges are located at Wellsville and Portageville.

Wellsville: Typical summer base is 4’ – 6’. 9’ is action level for concerns about flooding on the river at this point. 11’ is considered flood stage. View hydrograph.

Portageville: Typical summer base is 9’ – 12’. 17’ is action level for concerns about flooding on the river at this point. 19’ is considered flood stage. View hydrograph.

Hazards

The Upper Genesee River is relatively tame compared to many other rivers with few areas of whitewater and much of the run is easy paddling. However, there are often hazards such as trees that have eroded and fallen across sections. These hazards change with every storm, so it is not possible to warn of these. It is recommended that you always be on the watch and not become too complacent as you paddle along.

In this stretch from Genesee, PA to Portageville, NY the other known hazards are as follows:

• After Jack Bridge/Trout Run the Village of Wellsville has a water intake dam on the river. This has a deep pool that has been dangerous in the past.
• From this point to the 417 Bridge by the Tops/Riverwalk Plaza there are a series of check dams that are of varying heights. There are concrete sides to the river in much of this area also which can be a challenge if you need to get out.
• The Belmont Dam shortly after the Amity River Access Site can be challenging. There is a River Access Site on the eastern side of the dam that you can get out and portage across NYS 19 and reenter near the Belmont Fire Hall. The section of river right after this is rocky and has some whitewater.
• Portageville: You must be out of the river by the time you get to Portageville. Letchworth State Park is around the very next bend with a series of three large waterfalls you can NOT go over.

GENESEE PA RIVER ACCESS SITE

41.996800, -77.870550

This is the beginning of the Genesee River Wilds Blueway.

Facilities: The Genesee Township in Potter County has a park that is very nice with plenty of room for parking, pavilions, picnic tables and rest rooms located off PA 449 directly adjacent to the Acorn Market Gas Station. The River Access launch site is located in the Town Park at the very rear of the park where there is a small informational kiosk.

Directions: PA 449 via NYS 19 on the east Side of the Road. 11.1 miles south of the 19/417 split in Wellsville next to Tops Friendly Market.

Shongo DEC Fishing Access Site

42.015712, -77.895058

2.44 miles from Genesee RIVER ACCESS SITE via the river

Facilities: This is a DEC Fishing area and not an official GRW RIVER ACCESS SITE. The WAG Trail is directly adjacent to this site also. There is adequate parking at this site.

Directions: NYS 19 on the Eastern Side of the Road. 9.2 miles south of the 19/417 split in Wellsville next to Tops Friendly Market.

Graves Road River Access Site

42.024471, -77.904861

1.18 miles from Shongo RIVER ACCESS SITE via the river

Facilities: This is a DEC Fishing area and is an official GRW RIVER ACCESS SITE with a small parking area.

Directions: NYS 19 on the 8.5 miles south of the 19/417 split in Wellsville next to Tops Friendly Market. Turn right/west onto Graves Road. Proceed .3 mile and the site is on the left. Note: Google Maps has this location as 403 Woodcock Road currently so you could try to use that address.

Yorks Corners DEC Fishing Access Site

42.048217, -77.928599

Not a regular GRW River Access Site but there is a parking lot here. This is a DEC Fishing Access Site. WAG Trail passes adjacent to this site also.

2.46 miles from Graves Road RIVER ACCESS SITE via the river

Facilities: This is a DEC Fishing area and not an official GRW RIVER ACCESS SITE with a small parking area.

Directions: 6.5 miles south of the 19/417 split in Wellsville next to Tops Friendly Market. Turn right/west onto Stone Dam Road at Yorks Corners. Proceed .7 miles to Mapes Road. Site is on the left.

Jack Bridge River Access Site

42.075589, -77.924768

2.42 miles from Yorks Corners RIVER ACCESS SITE via the river

Facilities: This is a DEC Fishing area and is an official GRW RIVER ACCESS SITE with adequate parking.

Directions: 4.4 miles south of the 19/417 split in Wellsville next to Tops Friendly Market. Turn Right/West onto Jack Bridge Road and proceed .3 mile. Turn left onto Carter Road. Site is on your left.

Riverwalk Plaza River Access Site

42.126895, -77.961146

1.46 miles from Wellsville Water Intake

Facilities: This is a privately owned property with public parking. Look for the informational kiosk for the access area. Shopping, groceries and restaurants are located in this area.

Directions: This site is on the NYS 417 – Bolivar Road at the Plaza that has Tops Friendly Markets in Wellsville..

Sponsor: LC Whitford/Riverwalk Plaza

Scio River Access Site

42.171263, -77.985201

1.86 miles from Riverside Park RIVER ACCESS SITE via the river

Facilities: This is a DEC Fishing area and is an official GRW RIVER ACCESS SITE. There is only a small parking area at this location currently.

Directions: 3.7 miles north of the 19/417 split in Wellsville next to Tops Friendly Market. Turn left onto County Route 9 – Knights Creek Road .3 Mile. Site is a small parking area on the north side of the road.

Amity River Access Site

42.206481, -78.021457

3.79 miles from Scio RIVER ACCESS SITE via the river

Facilities: This Park has plenty of room for parking, an informational kiosk and a picnic table and is also a DEC Fishing access site. There is a pavilion at this site with older tables.

Directions: 4.9 miles south on NYS 19 from I-86 Exit 30. Turn right on Corbin Hill Road/County Road 31A and proceed .4 mile. The site is on the left.

Sponsor: Nicolson’s Pharmacy

Belmont River Access Site

42.224713, -78.030070

1.4 miles from Amity RIVER ACCESS SITE via the river

Facilities: This Park has room for some parking, sculpture/monument and a picnic table.

You will need to portage around the waterfall structure at this point. You can get out at the park on the east side of the river and go to the Fire Hall and down that bank. It is rocky and rough on the lower side not groomed at all. You can also portage across the bridge in the small WW1 Memorial Park there are steps adjacent to Healing Waters facility. 42.223786, -78.031144

The next stretch to the bridge over 244 is rocky with some white waters during good flow times.

Directions: The Belmont RIVER ACCESS SITE is located in the Village of Belmont adjacent to the waterfalls in the First Responders Park. From I-86 Exit 30 Proceed 3.5 miles south on NYS 19, cross the bridge and the park is on the right.

Transit Bridge River Access Site

42.296488, -78.072934

4.1 miles from Belvidere RIVER ACCESS SITE via the river

Facilities: The Transit Bridge RIVER ACCESS SITE was the first site that Genesee River Wilds opened in 2012. It is located directly adjacent to the bridge on County Road 16 This park has room for some parking, an informational kiosk and a picnic table.

Directions: From I-86 head north on 19 2.4 miles, turn right onto CR 16 located just beyond bridge on right.

Belfast River Access Site

42.342281, -78.102211

5.1 miles from Transit Bridge RIVER ACCESS SITE via the river

Facilities: This facility has a sign and a couple of ways to the river. There is an informational kiosk at this location. There is a large parking lot.

Directions: Located directly east of the Hamlet of Belfast, From I-86 head north on 19 6.5 miles, turn right onto Hughes street from Main Street and turn south on CR 26. Located immediately on the right.

Caneadea River Access Site

42.381731, -78.155004

5.0 miles from Belfast RIVER ACCESS SITE via the river

Facilities: This site is owned by the Town of Caneadea with picnic tables, informational kiosk and monuments on the site. This location is unique in that the boat put-in is located on the north side of the 19 bridge but the main parking is located on the south side of the bridge requiring a short walk after offloading boats and parking in the main lot.

Directions: Located about 10.5 miles north of I-86 on Route 19 on east side.

Sponsor: Hasper & Dye

Houghton River Access Site

More information coming soon!

Council House Road River Access Site (Unofficial)

42.400820, -78.153895

1.8 miles from Caneadea RIVER ACCESS SITE via the river

Facilities: This site is planned for a future access. Currently people are known to utilize either the north or south sides of the bridge to access the river.

Directions: Proceed north on 19 from I-86 10.8 miles turn right onto Council House Road for .7 mile.