Paddle Journal

April 4, 2005
by Vanessa Wazny

What an awesome paddle we had today on Cassadaga Lakes! The weather was gorgeous: sunny, blue skies, not a cloud to be seen, and it warmed up to about 60 by noon. There were some winds, which made the water choppy at times. We ignored that for the most part, because everything else was so perfect!

Joan and I launched later than we expected, about 11:30 a.m. We paddled under the bridge to the upper lake and to the swamp on the right. Because the water levels were higher than normal (water was up onto lawns and covered most of the beach), we were able to paddle a ways into the upper swamp, where we saw evidence of beavers (many gnawed trees).

Since the water levels were so high, I wanted to check out the swampy area at the southern end of the lakes (past the Route 60 bridge by the firehall). We paddled back down the lakes. We passed many beaver lodges and saw Bufflehead ducks in the lake, as well as many Canada geese. Some Canada geese were sitting on nests, seemingly sleeping. Others had necks lowered and beaks pointed at us, giving us the evil eye as we passed.

When we finally reached the lower lake and the bridge at Route 60, the water level was so high we had to "duck" to avoid hitting our heads on the underside of the bridge as we paddled under it (makes me claustrophobic!). We sailed past the firehall on the opposite side of the bridge. The current was strong.

As we entered the swamp/wetland/marsh area beyond the firehall, we could see for a distance ahead, as the vegetation had not grown up to obscure the view yet. We saw Canada geese, many on nests, mallard ducks, and swans! We saw FIVE swans total; one was sitting on a nest. Another was parading his plumage on a pond near the nesting bird, wings fluffed out, sailing in circles. He looked HUGE!

We paddled the "creek" (actually a channel through the swamp) back to an enormous pond full of dead trees and brown vegetation, where hundreds of Canada geese were swimming or resting, as well as two more swans. The channel had gotten narrower, the water faster, and there were a few slight drops that we were not sure we could get back up if we paddled over them. We turned around and paddled back.

The current on the way back was stronger than we expected, and the wind had picked up, so it was a bit of a strenuous paddle. We rested at the firehall and talked to a friendly canoeist who had just driven up. He told us that the firemen allow cars to park in their lot and launch from there as long as they park in the rear of the lot near the water. He said the channel was paddleable about 3 miles down, and take-out was at a Baptist Church parking lot along Route 60. He also told us that the next 3 miles after that segment were to be avoided -- downed trees that must be portaged around, calf-deep muck, narrow channels.

After a brief respite, we paddled head-first into a pretty stiff wind almost all the way back to the put-in. We saw turkey buzzards circling overhead (looking for us?), a pair of gray and white snow geese, another swan, beaver lodges, and a small, weather-beaten wooden memorial in the water and reeds along the shoreline that reads "Shawn L."

We had a great time on the water, despite the winds and the current in the swamp!

Cassadaga Lakes

Sunday, Oct 15, 2000

Three of us went over to Cassadaga Lakes in Cassadaga NY. This is home to a lovely spiritualist retreat near Jamestown NY. The day was a little gloomy but not raining. The fall foliage was at its peak! I love to paddle when there are leaves floating on the water's surface.

We put in at the Fire Station just off Rt 62 and headed into the marsh. We didn't get too far before we had to turn back because of a beaver dam. The marsh is full of life and is always an interesting place to paddle in a short boat.

Cassadaga Lakes consist of 2 lakes that are connected by an outlet. It was a nice 2 hr paddle especially since no motor boats were out. We stopped for lunch at the Boy Scout Camp along the bank and stretched out the legs.

The Fire Dept was having a chicken bar-b-que and unfortunately it was closed by the time we got back to our take out. Darn. We left happy but craving chicken.