|
|
Canaseraga Creek - Canaseraga to Dansville
Canaseraga Creek, New York, US |
|
Canaseraga to Dansville
| Usual Difficulty | IV-V (for normal flows) |
|---|---|
| Length | 8 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 52 fpm |
| Max Gradient | 153 fpm |
Mill Falls (Class 5)
Mill Falls (Class 5)
Photo by Harry A. Marinakis, M.D.
River Description
Updated June 7, 2001
Canaseraga Creek is known by few, but it is one of the finest whitewater creeks in Western New
York. It is a seasonal class IV-V creek south of Rochester that drops a whopping 230 feet over
1.5 miles. Most of this altitude loss occurs over a series of nine stair-step waterfalls that
range in total height from 10 feet to 40 feet.
The "meat" of Canaseraga Creek occurs in the first 1.5 miles, deep in the Poags Hole
canyon. The creek drops 230 feet over a series of nine stair-step waterfall drops.
The creek has a relatively small watershed, meaning that the window of paddling opportunity is
also relatively narrow. It floods periodically during the spring, and the highest recorded flood
peak was 11,000 cfs on June 22, 1972. Two inexperienced paddlers lost their lives on Canaseraga
Creek in separate incidents in 1999 when they washed into strainers.
StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2012-02-02 08:24:42
Editors
Rapid Summary
| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | THE PUTIN |   | |
| 0.1 | FIRST FALLS | III |  |
| 0.2 | SECOND FALLS | IV+ | |
| 0.4 | THIRD FALLS | III | |
| 0.9 | FOURTH FALLS | 5.0 | |
| 1.0 | FIFTH FALLS | III | |
| 1.2 | SIXTH FALLS | III | |
| 1.3 | SEVENTH FALLS | IV+ | |
| 1.4 | EIGHTH FALLS | IV+ | |
| 1.4 | NINTH FALLS | III | |
| 1.5 | THE CANYON | III | |
| 1.6 | STRAINERS | III |  |
| 5.7 | TAKEOUT | III |  |
Rapid Descriptions
THE PUTIN
Perry Road Bridge
The putin is located on river left upstream from the Perry Road bridge, approximately 1-1/2 miles northeast of the town of Canaseraga.
Perry Road Bridge
Perry Road BridgePhoto of Canaseraga Creek by Harry A. Marinakis, M.D.
FIRST FALLS (Class III, Mile 0.1)
4 feet high
The key to running the first drop is "stay far left." You may scout this falls from the road above the river right bank. The first waterfall drop is a river-wide ledge drop with a powerful recirculation. Boof on far river left into the eddy. This eddy is a good place to collect the group for the next drop, a powerful class IV/V.
4 feet high
The key to running the first drop is "stay far left." You may scout this falls from the road above the river right bank. The first waterfall drop is a river-wide ledge drop with a powerful recirculation. Boof on far river left into the eddy. This eddy is a good place to collect the group for the next drop, a powerful class IV/V.
SECOND FALLS (Class IV+, Mile 0.2)
Second Thoughts at Second Falls
24 feet high
The second fall is actually a series of three 4-foot drops leading into a 13-foot high river-wide vertical drop onto a solid, flat rock slab in very shallow water. Run these drops on far river left, and take the final jarring drop close to the river left bank. Scout from the river right bank.
Second Thoughts at Second Falls
Second Thoughts at Second FallsPhoto of Canaseraga Creek by Harry A. Marinakis, M.D.
The second fall is actually a series of three 4-foot drops leading into a 13-foot high river-wide vertical drop onto a solid, flat rock slab in very shallow water. Run these drops on far river left, and take the final jarring drop close to the river left bank. Scout from the river right bank.
THIRD FALLS (Class III, Mile 0.4)
Third Falls
6 feet high
The third waterfall drop is located approximately 200 yards beyond the second drop. It is a steep slide into a deep pool. Avoid the recirculation on far river left. You may scout this drop from the river right bank.
Third Falls
Third FallsPhoto of Canaseraga Creek by Harry A. Marinakis, M.D.
The third waterfall drop is located approximately 200 yards beyond the second drop. It is a steep slide into a deep pool. Avoid the recirculation on far river left. You may scout this drop from the river right bank.
FOURTH FALLS (Class 5.0, Mile 0.9)
Mill Falls (Class 5)
35 feet high
This waterfall, also known as the Mill Falls, is a series of stair-step ledge drops and waterfalls adjacent to an old, three story mill that is located about one-half mile downstream from Third Falls.
Scout and/or portage around the Mill Falls on river right. At low water (below stage 1.6 feet) you can portage across easy ledges below the mill. At high water (above stage 1.6 feet), you may need to portage around the top of the mill and then across steep tree-covered ledges just downstream from the mill. Ropes may be required, depending upon your comfort level with hauling a boat across steep terrain.
This stair-step cascade is the most difficult drop on Canaseraga Creek. Run far left all the way down. Alternately, portage on river right immediately in front of the mill.
Mill Falls (Class 5)
Mill Falls (Class 5)Photo by Harry A. Marinakis, M.D.
This waterfall, also known as the Mill Falls, is a series of stair-step ledge drops and waterfalls adjacent to an old, three story mill that is located about one-half mile downstream from Third Falls.
Scout and/or portage around the Mill Falls on river right. At low water (below stage 1.6 feet) you can portage across easy ledges below the mill. At high water (above stage 1.6 feet), you may need to portage around the top of the mill and then across steep tree-covered ledges just downstream from the mill. Ropes may be required, depending upon your comfort level with hauling a boat across steep terrain.
This stair-step cascade is the most difficult drop on Canaseraga Creek. Run far left all the way down. Alternately, portage on river right immediately in front of the mill.
FIFTH FALLS (Class III, Mile 1.0)
Room of Doom Sieve
10 feet high
The fifth waterfall drop begins 100 feet downstream from the fourth drop. It is a diagonal, 10-foot high ledge that slopes steeply into a deep pool. Beware of the severe danger of running this waterfall on far river right. Two boulders form a hideous sieve at the bottom of the drop on far river right, a trap nicknamed The Room of Doom.
Room of Doom Sieve
Room of Doom SievePhoto by Harry A. Marinakis, M.D.
The fifth waterfall drop begins 100 feet downstream from the fourth drop. It is a diagonal, 10-foot high ledge that slopes steeply into a deep pool. Beware of the severe danger of running this waterfall on far river right. Two boulders form a hideous sieve at the bottom of the drop on far river right, a trap nicknamed The Room of Doom.
SIXTH FALLS (Class III, Mile 1.2)
Double Drop of Sixth Falls
10 feet high
The sixth drop begins about a half-mile downstream from Mill Falls. It is a double drop consisting of 2 ledges. The second drop forms a river-wide recirculation. Run far right over a slide.
Double Drop of Sixth Falls
Double Drop of Sixth FallsPhoto by Harry A. Marinakis, M.D.
The sixth drop begins about a half-mile downstream from Mill Falls. It is a double drop consisting of 2 ledges. The second drop forms a river-wide recirculation. Run far right over a slide.
SEVENTH FALLS (Class IV+, Mile 1.3)
The Cascades of 7th, 8th & 9th Falls
10 feet high
The seventh drop is a vertical waterfall drop onto a solid, flat rock slab in very shallow water. Boof on far river left with some speed.
The Cascades of 7th, 8th & 9th Falls
The Cascades of 7th, 8th & 9th FallsPhoto by Harry A. Marinakis, M.D.
The seventh drop is a vertical waterfall drop onto a solid, flat rock slab in very shallow water. Boof on far river left with some speed.
EIGHTH FALLS (Class IV+, Mile 1.4)
11 feet high
The eighth drop is an 10-foot high vertical waterfall with a drop onto solid, flat rock slabs in very shallow water. Boof far left.
11 feet high
The eighth drop is an 10-foot high vertical waterfall with a drop onto solid, flat rock slabs in very shallow water. Boof far left.
NINTH FALLS (Class III, Mile 1.4)
8 feet high
The ninth drop is an 8-foot high slide over broken ledges into a pool.
8 feet high
The ninth drop is an 8-foot high slide over broken ledges into a pool.
THE CANYON (Class III, Mile 1.5)
After the nine waterfalls, the creek drops another 220 feet over the remaining 4.2 miles to the first Poags Hole bridge.
After the nine waterfalls, the creek drops another 220 feet over the remaining 4.2 miles to the first Poags Hole bridge.
STRAINERS (Class III, Mile 1.6)
Get Out and Portage
After the nine waterfalls, be watchful for the dozens of strainers in this remote canyon.
Two paddlers drowned in strainers on Canaseraga Creek in 1999.
Get Out and Portage
Get Out and PortagePhoto by Harry A. Marinakis, M.D.
TAKEOUT (Class III, Mile 5.7)
There are several takeout options in, and south of, Dansville. When traveling south on Poags Hole Road from Dansville, you'll cross Canaseraga Creek 3 times. Set up a shuttle at the bridge of your choice.
First Poags Hole Bridge, at 5.7 miles.
Second Poags Hole Bridge, at 6.7 miles.
Third Poags Hole Bridge, at 7.2 miles.
Dansville, at 7.5 miles.
There are several takeout options in, and south of, Dansville. When traveling south on Poags Hole Road from Dansville, you'll cross Canaseraga Creek 3 times. Set up a shuttle at the bridge of your choice.
First Poags Hole Bridge, at 5.7 miles.
Second Poags Hole Bridge, at 6.7 miles.
Third Poags Hole Bridge, at 7.2 miles.
Dansville, at 7.5 miles.
Do more than just check gauges; join over 5,000 AW members today.
Or, consider donating
Canaseraga to Dansville, Canaseraga Creek New York, US (mobile)
User Comments