Paddle Journal

Cattaraugus Creek May 3, 2008

Submitted by: Irene Bozogan

The Seneca Nation is now demanding permits to paddle through their land. A small group of paddlers were stopped by a Seneca Conservation Officer who told them that their boats and gear could be confiscated if they did not have a permit to paddle the creek. The next day two from the group went to the Seneca Office to get permits. The office workers were unaware of the paddling requirement. When Bill and Nancy got home, they saw that they were given bogus forms. One was a permit for toxic waste disposal and the other was for selling tobacco!

The Senecas obviously don't want United States taxpayers on their land, so it is best to avoid the Gowanda to Versailles run. It's a shame to say good-bye to a wonderful stretch of water because of a tax fued. If anyone has any info on this, please let us know.

Cattaraugus Creek May 27, 2006

Put in: Hakes Road Bridge

Take out: S.R. 240

Submitted by: Geoff Gunner

My son and I took the kayaks (flat water variety) for our first trip on moving water. Water level was 1.8 ft which was a good level for a child (Dad had to drag his boat through a few sections). This is probably the bare minimum amount of water to navigate in this creek, and a canoe or w/w kayak wouldn't have gone at all (as a matter of fact we spoke to two guys at Hakes Rd loading their canoe who said they had to drag it half the time from Rt 16 where they put in, also they warned of barbed wire strung across the creek in 3 spots). That said, there were some tricky spots around downed trees and I was glad that my son had a lot of flat water time the past couple of years before attempting this. We made the trip in 2 hrs with a couple of short breaks, I am unsure of the mileage but it is only a 5 minute drive on Route 39 between the put-in and take-out. Next we plan on trying the Springville to North Otto Rd leg.

Cattaraugus Creek May 15, 2005

Put in: Gowanda

Take out: Versailles

Water level: 2.3ft

Submitted by: Irene Bozogan

The power of water never ceases to amaze me. Every year when I go back to the Creek, the water features have changed. The 2.3-foot gauge level led me to expect a fun ride down to Versailles, but the water proved disappointingly tame. The wave trains were not as high as I had remembered. Shallow spots were numerous; play spots fairly scarce. A few more inches of water would have made it better.

About 15 minutes before the take out, a fallen tree presented a problem to one of our paddlers in a recreational kayak. The swift water pinned her boat against the trunk. It was a tense moment. With the assistance of Mitch FitzGibbon, she was able to get away from it safely and without going over.

Cattaraugus Creek should NOT be your first paddling experience even at low water. Paddlers should practice with their kayaks on flatwater first. They should know how their kayak performs before attempting moving water. Paddle lessons with an experienced instructor are a must for newbies.

Cattaraugus Creek Nov 23, 2003

Put in: Gowanda

Take out: Versailles

Water gauge: 2.7ft

Submitted by: Irene Bozogan

Who would believe that we would be paddling in 60 degree temps at the end of November? The day was sunny and the water level was perfect! We just received our new 2004 Liquid Logic whitewater kayaks and they were calling out to us to take them to the water. So answering this silent plea, Bill, John and I went out on a business trip. Hey! Someone’s got to do it.

At 2.7ft the standing waves were great! The planning hulls of the “Hoss” and “L’il Joe” took you on a roller coaster ride up and down the haystacks. We even portaged back up the Creek to re-run a set that were particularly great. The waves were approximately 3 to 4 ft high.

The water level had been up to 7ft a couple of days ago. This past summer we had seen an old car on the left bank about 15 min into the paddle. After the recent high water, it was half buried with rocks and sand. It probably will be out of sight come next spring. The power of the Creek is amazing!

The grand finale of the tour is ever changing too. It is a class III with a touch of lV ending! The waves are definitely 4 ft high here. On River left there is a 4 ft ledge drop-off in the shape of a horseshoe. The water flowing over the ledge on the left side is more powerful than that on the right side. Speed up and go over in the center or a little left of center. Unfortunately, I hit it on the right side. As soon I went over the ledge and my bow hit the stronger current, I was over in a flash. It was about a 100 yd swim through 4ft waves of cold water. Riding those waves in my PFD wasn’t as much fun as it would have been in my kayak. The rock bumps weren’t too pleasant either. Oh well… I’ll hit it right next time.

Cattaraugus Creek May 6, 2001

Put-in: Gowanda

Take-out: Versailles

Time: 1 1/2 hr

Water level: 1.9

This was the first time this year that John and I did Catt Creek. I paddled a Corsica and John was in a Gannet. Since this was my first "moving" experience with this kayak, I decided to do the creek even though the water level was low. We had a great time!

We saw an unbelievable bald eagle as we paddled. It flew over us at about 20 ft. That is the closest I have ever been to a wild eagle.

At low water levels, there were very few surfing spots. "Park and Play" paddlers would prefer more water.

The low levels made me very diligent in reading the river. There were many bony sections to avoid and some 1 to 2 foot drops that had to be hit on target. Most of the creek was Class I and II. There was one Class III about 45 min into the trip and then a III+ ending!

Before you go to Catt Creek, check out the water levels at Northeast River Forecast Center

Submitted by Bill Scherman March 19, 2000

Cattaraugus Creek

Conditions: 55 degrees, sunny all day, very pleasant

Water level 2.5 ft

Put in at Springville

Take out at Otto Rd

This was a 14-mile trip that took 3 hrs. Most of the trip was gentle class I water. There was a strong current at the Springville put-in. Soon the stream widened out and it was very shallow. There were a few overhanging trees to dodge. The 1st half-hour of paddling was through fairly flat terrain. Afterwards it became more scenic, with high cliffs on both sides of the creek. The snow was gone, but the north facing waterfalls were still covered with ice. There were many fishermen and merganser ducks were seen. It was a nice easy paddle.

The week before a group of paddlers went from Arcade to Springville. The trip took about 4 hrs. They ran into some problems with one large strainer that pinned one of the boats.

Submitted by Bill Scherman Sunday, April 2, 2000

Cattaraugus Creek

Conditions: Gray skies and 50 degrees Water level 2.6 ft

Put in at Otto Rd

Take out at the 2nd bridge at Gowanda, near the American Legion.

4 hr trip class I & II water.

It was easy paddling for the 1st hour. At these low water levels the boats had to be dragged at times. The creek was wide and navigable. We had to watch that we stayed in the main current so that our kayaks wouldn't get hung up on the rocky bottom.

As we continued downstream, we hit some class II sections where a spray shirt was definitely necessary. We had to negotiate under a few overhanging trees.

In one of the Class II sections someone from our group dumped his boat. The water level was only at his knees so he didn't have any trouble recovering.

At the confluence of the south branch of Catt Creek we stopped and met up with people who were in canoes and whitewater kayaks. There was good surfing there and we joined them.

At Tannery Falls we got out and scouted the rapids. We decided that it was class III water, so we portaged our boats around them. We watched one guy in a w/w kayak run it with no problems.

It was then a short distance to downtown Gowanda. A steady rain started and the temp was dropping. We took out at the second bridge.

. . . epilogue:

By Tuesday, April 4, the creek water level was at 6 ft. There had been a steady rain all week and the water level rose to 150% of normal.

EXTREME CAUTION must be exhibited at such high water levels. 2 men rafting without P.F.D.s drowned on Sunday, April 9.