_Updated Oct. 8, 2006_
Rushford Lake Outlet is a mile-long class III creek that drains Rushford Lake into the Genesee River. The creek is runnable only during October when the annual lake draw-down occurs. This draw-down usually adds about 1.0 foot to the water level of the
Genesee River at Letchworth Gorge. Unless you decide to run the class V-VI waterfall at the start of the run, you will need a 100-foot safety rope to descend into the ravine at the putin.
Here're some nice directions from Hoppy of
FLOW:
Take Out SE side of Bridge over the creek at the confluence w/ Genesee 0.3 miles South of Caneadea.
To Put In (2.5 Miles):
North on Rte 19 0.41 miles Go through hamlet of Caneadea, then take a Left on Cty Rte 243 0.58 miles
Left in Hillman Road (dirt or at least it was a few years ago) for about 300 yards
Right on Mill Street (dirt) winds up the hill parallel to gorge.
Parking above dam at top of hill on the left. Minimize cars at top of hill and don't leave boats on or in vehicles.
Put-in is 250 vertical feet down a bank. Team up and belay boats down with ropes using trees. It will be very slippery especially after rain.
Run is 2.5 miles with almost all action in first mile in the gorge.
Two significant drops.
1\. Four foot ledge, multiple lines, scout right. About .35 miles below Put In. Choose lines & landings carefully. Reportedly Paul Twist broke one of his size 15 feet here about 5 years ago.
2\. Sloping ledge with large hole just before exiting canyon about .8 miles below Put In. Run left center to far left to get in left eddy & miss hole. Good surfing but at higher flows the hole can be almost river-wide and very sticky. A tongue develops river left center. When surfing, surfers left of the tongue can be VERY sticky. You may need a rope to get someone out.
After the canyon watch for strainers, which abound unless the Houghton local paddlers have cleaned them out.
Enjoy a WNY seasonal delight, a spectacular mini-Letchworth gorge and 175-foot-high dam.
Posted by Robert Glanville on 2001-10-12
You will note a series of "No Trespassing" signs at the parking lot above the put-in. As a result of extensive correspondence with counsel for the Lake Owners' Association several years ago, including the threat of a lawsuit, we were advised that they do not intend to prohibit paddlers from launching below the dam. So far as I know, since that agreement was reached, no paddler has been threatened with prosecution. If you have a problem, please let me know.
Western New York Area Reaches
Beaver Meadow Creek Canadaway Creek (1.) Canadaway Creek (2.)
Canaseraga Creek Cattaraugus Creek Cattaraugus Creek, S. Branch
Cazenovia Creek, W. Branch (1.)Cazenovia Creek, W. Branch (2.) Chautauqua Creek
Clear Creek, N. Br. Conesus Creek Eighteenmile Creek
Eighteenmile Creek, S. Br. Ellicott Creek Genesee (Letchworth)
Honeoye Creek Keshequa Creek Little Chautauqua Creek
Murder Creek Niagara Oak Orchard Creek
Oatka Creek Rushford Lake Outlet Sugar Creek
Twentymile Creek
Google Map of New York Whitewater
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