Gauge Description:

Class 2 @ 9ft
Class 3+ @ 13ft
Closed @ 14ft

Genesee R At Portageville [ NY ]

Current Conditions Stage Flow Updated 10.93 3100 7/25 17:00 Station Graphs

Linked Reaches

Search Results

Level Legend:

Running

Below Minimum Recommended Flow

Above Maximum Recommended Flow

Unknown

Descriptions of reaches with River Name in bold have been verified by a regional StreamTeam member.

State	River Name/Section	Class	Level	Rel. Level	Updated
NY	Genesee— Letchworth Gorge	II-III	10.93 ft	med	7/25 17:00

Station Description

AW Gauge ID:	2014
USGS Station:	04223000
HUC:	04130002
Latitude:	42.5703
Longitude:	-78.0425
Class:	-1

World Whitewater: A Global Guide for River Runners
$16.07

THE INNER GORGE (Class III, Mile -0.5)
Immediately below Lower Falls is The Inner Gorge, a 200-yard long segment of the river confined between the vertical walls of a deep gorge. Paddlers are allowed to run the river from the base of the Lower Falls, but they are not permitted to putin anywhere except at Lee's Landing. Thus, you must paddle and portage upstream from Lee's Landing through The Inner Gorge to get to the base of Lower Falls. Vertical gear & ropes are needed. At stage 10.0 feet and higher, it is impossible to access The Inner Gorge.

THE SLUICE (Class III, Mile -0.3)
Approximately 1/4-mile upstream from Lee's Landing is The Sluice, a narrowing against the river right wall where the river funnels through a sluice. This play spot is best at stage 9.0 feet and higher. The Sluice is best for super-sonic surfing, micro-eddy hopping, and nuclear-powered stern squirts.

THE PUTIN
There is only one legal putin, at Lee's Landing. From the calm pool at Lee's Landing, one can either paddle upstream or downstream. Upstream you will find The Inner Gorge (including Lower Falls) and The Sluice. Downstream is The Loop and the standard run all the way to Saint Helena.

ENTRANCE RAPID (Class III, Mile 0.1)
Immediately downstream of the pool at Lee's Landing, the river plunges down a relatively narrow 200-foot long cascade with a complex and surging wave train. This stretch is perhaps the wildest rapid on the Genesee River below Lee's Landing. At high water (Stage 13 feet), these waves can be over 15 feet high. If this rapid doesn't excite you, then you should probably hike back up the hill and head home.

RED BALL (Class II+, Mile 0.2)
This rapid derives its name from a red ball that is suspended on a wire over the end of the rapid. Immediately after Entrance Rapid the river begins to turn left. This is Red Ball, a 150-yard stretch of whitewater with about two dozen great surfing waves and holes. These waves are great surfing at 10.5 feet. At 11.5 feet this becomes a heavy class III run, with large waves and a stopper hole. At 13 feet this stopper hole is monstrous.

LUNCH ROCK (Class II+, Mile 0.5)
Although Lunch Rock is no longer there, this rapid still retains the name. Past Red Ball there is a long stretch of flat water before entering Lunch Rock Rapid. A major wave/hole is located here. Below 9.0 feet the hole is too shallow. At 9.5 feet it's a fun little surfing wave with a deep pocket but is little else. At 10.5 feet, it is a small but powerful hole that offers a real bite. At 11.5 feet, the right channel opens up, offering some nice surfing, and the hole in the left channel becomes a stupendous surf wave.

LETCHWORTH GORGE (Class II+, Mile 0.6)
Further downstream it is the scenery, not the whitewater, that is interesting. The photo at the top of this page shows this section of the river.

TAKEOUT
The takeout is located at Saint Helena. The dirt road here is not obvious, so keep your eyes open. It is a long hike up the hill to the parking lot. Occasionally the rafting company will give you a ride on their shuttles from the water's edge to the parking lot. Be sure to thank them profusely.