Genesee

Letchworth State Park boasts a spectacular, meandering 550-foot deep river gorge lined with slate cliffs. It is called the 'Grand Canyon of the East.' Within the gorge, the Genesee River is class II run at low levels (9.0 feet) but becomes a respectable class III river with great surfing opportunities at higher water (stage 10.5 feet). The Genesee River is consistently at its highest during March and April. The river periodically floods between October and June. The highest recorded flood peak was 90,000 cfs on June 23, 1979. The river is closed to kayakers at stage 14.0 feet and higher. Every October, the draining of Rushford Lake augments river flow through Letchworth Gorge by about 1.0 foot.

Logistics: Sign the release and get an annual Waiver # at the Park Office Admin center near the South end of park.  Get a map at the gate when you pay your $10 park Entry Fee so you can find everything.  The revised permit ( 2019 ) has a river level limit of 11 ft. for recreational kayaks without spray skirts, float bags and proper personal whitewater clothes for cold water.  Experienced kayakers & canoers are permitted to paddle above 11 ft. with proper whitewater equipment and clothing.  Above 14 ft. the river is just a flood without any value.

Take Out: St Helena parking lot. From the visitors center turn right out of parking lot on park road (3.4 miles) Turn right at the sign for St. Helena and go to lower parking lot (0.2miles). Take out is down the gated restricted access road, river left (0.45 miles)

Put In: From check in at the main Park Office, Turn right out of parking lot on park road and take the park road to Lower Falls area and lower parking lot near A cabins.  Look for a gate at the top of the dirt road near the CCC statue past the Adventure Calls Outfitters (Raft Co.)   Lee's Landing, a 1/2-mile carry downhill from the parking

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