West Bingham to Shongo NY 7.5 miles
Class Grad Size
(Area/Volume) Scene/Pol Level
I 24/28 Small B/A
Topographic Maps: Ulysses,
Wellsville South NY
County Maps: Potter, Allegany NY
Description: This is the canoeable headwater point of the river. It is predominately rural with hemlocks and hardwoods along the banks. Occasionally a meadow can be seen on the sides of the mountain which are gently sloped in this area. [Reported 1992]
Difficulties: Low hanging tree branches or occasional strainers.
Shuttle: The put-in is at the State Route 1011 bridge at West Bingham. To reach the take‑out, follow State Route 1011 north to State Route 1010. Turn left/west onto State Route 1010. Go one block and turn right/north onto State Route 449/224. Follow State Route 449 into New York State where it becomes NY 19. Go about 1.5 miles to where NY 19 crosses the river at Shongo. This is the take‑out.
Alternately, one can add 8.0 miles to the trip by continuing on to Wellsville, NY. The stream is channelized in Wellsville and there are 4 weirs which require attention. New York 19 parallels the river to Wellsville.
Gauge: None. Check the level downstream of the put‑in bridge. If this rapid is passable then the run is okay.
Normal Wet Period: No available statistics on seasons. Since this section is small, it should normally be runnable approximately January through April.
Letchworth Gorge 6.5 miles
Class Grad Size
(Area/Volume) Scene/Pol Level
III-IV xxx A/A 9.25-
where
Topographic Maps: xxx
County Maps: Wyoming NY, Livingston NY
Description: The Letchworth Gorge ranges from 400 to 600 feet deep. The vertical walls are layered shale and limestone, and unclimbable. Ledges of this same rock form most of the rapids, with a few boulders here and there to make things interesting. Wildlife is abundant. A permit is required to run the river ($5.00 in 1992) and can be obtained at the Park office between 9 AM and 10 AM. While in the Park check out the three waterfalls upstream of this runnable section. One is over 100 feet tall. [Reported 1992]
Difficulties: Some of the rapids involve 90-degree turns in front of cliff faces, which may be undercut. Most of the fast moving water is shallow so if you flip in a kayak, do a very quick tuck. There is only one access point about halfway down the gorge, so bail out opportunities are nil.
Shuttle: The put-in is at Lee's Landing, after a carry of 400 yards down a well-defined trail. To reach the take‑out, follow the Park Road north, along the west side of the river to St Helena. It is marked by a single rock bridge pier on river right.
Gauge: The level of 9.25 was not much more than a bare minimum.
Normal Wet Period: No
available statistics on seasons. Since this section is small, it should
normally be runnable approximately January through April.