Lyons Road to Lake Erie 13.1 miles
Class Grad Size
(Area/Volume) Scene/Poll Level
III-IV 63/90
A/A
Streamside
Topographic Maps: Sherman
(NY), Westfield (NY)
County Maps: Chautauqua (NY)
Description: This is a geologically young stream, with shale walls and bottom, and evidence of active erosion and cutting. Bare shale offers good footing on the river bottom, but overlying soils coat the cliffs to make the banks slippery and hard to climb. After a few miles the stream starts to cut into a shale canyon. The run is similar to Twenty Mile Creek except for three small water supply dams and a section of over a mile with braided channels and trees in which the route is always clear but not always deep. As you approach Westfield there are increasing signs of development and options for access. The gorge cut by the stream is known as the "Glug". [Reported 1988]
Difficulties: Carry around three water supply dams ranging from 6 to 10 feet in height. The second has a nasty step on a 4‑foot drop and is particularly dangerous.
Shuttle: To get to the put-in, leave Westfield on Chestnut Street going upstream, on river left; put in on Lyons Road at an old bridge site.
Gauges: This stream is runnable if you can scrape by on the riffles at the put-in.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons.