nature & waterways

Collins, county legislators meet with State Department about lake plan

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 November 2015 at 12:00 am

File photo by Tom Rivers – This sign on the shore of the Golden Hill State Park in Barker warns of an eroding shoreline.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Orleans County Legislator Lynne Johnson was in Washington D.C. on Wednesday meeting with State Department officials about a proposed plan for regulating Lake Ontario water levels.

Johnson and many officials from the southshore counties have been pressing the federal government not to support the plan from the International Joint Commission, a bi-national group that regulates the water levels.

A 2014 plan could result in bigger swings in water levels, damaging property and hurting boating and fishing industries.

“We need to work hard and stop this nonsense from going forward,” Orleans County Legislature Chairman David Callard said Wednesday during the Legislature meeting.

He noted that Johnson was in Washington with David Godfrey, a Niagara County legislator. They were joined by Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) and Congressman John Katko (NY-24) in a meeting with the State Department.

“The IJC’s Plan 2014 hurts homeowners and businesses along Lake Ontario’s shoreline,” Collins said in a statement. “I am vehemently opposed to this plan which would quicken erosion along shrinking shorelines, lower property values for specific homeowners, and have a negative impact on the region’s economy by limiting recreational and commercial boating. I remain committed to working with my colleagues in federal, state, and local government against the plan’s implementation and am glad Congressman Katko and county legislators Dave Godfrey and Lynne Johnson could join me in this fight.”

Plan 2014’s intent is to re-establish Lake Ontario’s natural water level fluctuations to restore the region’s natural wetlands and environmental diversity. The proposal has met significant resistance due to the disproportionate damages that will fall onto Lake Ontario’s southern shore communities, Collins said.
“Today’s meeting was yet another opportunity to discuss the potentially devastating impact that Plan 2014 could have on Wayne County’s shoreline, economy, and vast agriculture community,” Katko said.

He hosted a similar meeting earlier this year with Wayne County lawmakers and representatives from the U.S. Department of State and the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

“I’m appreciative of Representative Collins’ efforts in facilitating this meeting,” Katko said. “I recognize the value of preserving our natural resources and supporting conservation measures, but Plan 2014 could cause a great loss of shoreline, erosion damage to property, and flooding in Wayne County. It is critical that we make these points known to stakeholders on a federal level, and that we continue to have an open dialogue moving forward.”

Godfrey said the IJC plan would be “economically devastating four our entire area.”

Johnson said residents and officials spoke out about the plan during public meetings and hearings. But the IJC still pushed it through.

“The approval by the IJC of Plan 2014 is government at its worst,” Johnson said. “The IJC did not listen to the voice of people.”

Canal closes out 191st season

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The tugboat “Lockport” is tied up in Albion between the Main Street and Ingersoll Street lift bridges on Tuesday.

The navigational season for the Erie Canal ended today, concluding the 191st season of the waterway that turned New York State into an economic powerhouse in the 1800s.

These days, the canal is more of a recreational waterway, and the towpath is popular for joggers, cyclists and walkers.

Many of the tenders, tugboats, and other vessels in the canal fleet will “winter” in Albion before the canal season starts again next May.

This year the canal opened on May 8. The draining of the Erie Canal between Lockport and the Genesee River in Rochester will begin on Tuesday, Dec. 1, Canal Corporation officials said today.

Fall splendor at Mount Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – An annual rite of passage for Orleans County residents should include a visit to Mount Albion Cemetery, especially the Civil War Memorial tower, every fall.

I went to see the tower on Nov. 7. It was a crisp autumn day. I hadn’t been up the 68-foot-high tower in a couple years.

I was happy to see the spiral staircase is freshly painted. Last time I climbed all of the steps, there was lots of graffiti. This was taken from the top of the tower, which was built in 1876, on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the country.

I’m a little uncomfortable up high, but here is a view looking down from the tower. There are nice sandstone steps leading to the tower.

The tower provides views of scenic Albion, including the Orleans County Courthouse.

These iron gates lead into the tower, which is a memorial to about 500 Orleans County residents who died in the Civil War. Their names are etched in marble slabs inside the tower.

The cemetery on Route 31 is included on the National Register of Historic Places. There are many historic features of Mount Albion, including this hitching post that was used to tie up horses.

The cemetery, with its winding paths, is a popular spot for joggers and walkers.

Area basks in warm weather

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

GAINES – It was another 70-plus degree day today. This tree on Butts Road, near the Kirby farm just north of the canal, really jumped out to me this afternoon.

There were people out jogging in shorts and T-shirts on what felt like an early September day, not Nov. 5, with temperatures in the mid-70s.

This photo shows a little pedestrian bridge over Proctor Brook behind the Blacksmith Shop on Route 98, part of the Cobblestone Museum grounds.

The tower of the Ingersoll Street lift bridge in Albion is reflected in the Erie Canal.

Friday is forecast for a high of 66 before the temperature falls to a high of 50 on Saturday and 48 on Sunday.

Enjoying the Great Outdoors on a balmy November day

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – With the sun shining and temperatures at about 70 degrees, many folks were out not only voting today, but enjoying the Great Outdoors.

The top photo shows a flock of geese in flight in Lyndonville during a sunset.

Pete Ricci of Waterport fishes near the dam in Lyndonville. He could see a lot of big fish close to the dam.

John Paul Simon, 12, (left) and his brother Sharbel, 13, fish in Johnson Creek behind the Yates Community Free Library. They spent much of the day in Lyndonville, fishing and reading at the library while their father, Jim Simon, campaigned for Yates town supervisor.

The Simon brothers, John Paul with net and Sharbel with fishing pole, caught this catfish. The brothers said they caught several catfish while enjoying the warm day.

There are hundreds of geese camped out in water in Lyndonville.

A fisherman in waders gets close to the dam, trying to catch some of the big fish in Johnson Creek.

Weather will be nice to start November

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 November 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers
SHELBY – Sun rays break through the clouds this morning in this scene of a barn on Fletcher Chapel Road in Shelby.

Here is another look of the scene showing the site in Shelby, just off Route 63.

The weather will be nice to start off November. Monday is forecast for sunny with a high of 60 followed by sunny and a high of 68 on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Wednesday will hit 70 with lots of sun, followed by a high of 67 on Thursday, according to the Weather Service.

Here is a field of harvested corn on West County House Road at the west end of Albion.

This is looking east on West County House Road this afternoon.

Rain doesn’t keep fishermen away

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers
CARLTON – The St. Mary’s Archer’s Club on the Oak Orchard River in Carlton has been busy with anglers this week despite a lot of rain.

This group is pictured on Wednesday afternoon after a big downpour that morning.

Andrew Lang of Pittsburgh, Pa. caught this brown trout. He arrived on Sunday and is spending the week fishing in Orleans County.

Some of the fishermen said the fish haven’t been as plentiful as in the past, but they said the rain will raise the water levels in the Oak Orchard and bring more fish up the river.

Many of the fishermen made long treks across the state or out-of-state to try to catch salmon and trout from the Oak Orchard.

This trio from Orange County crosses the river, with fast-moving water from the rain, together on Wednesday. The group has been coming to Orleans County to fish the past 10 years.

The grounds at the Archer’s Club include lots of muddy footprints from all of the rain.

This fisherman has a net close by in case he hooks a big fish.

While the fishermen are in town to catch fish, they said they enjoy being outdoors with the changing leaves. Catching a big salmon or trout is just a nice bonus.

Strong winds expected today

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers
CARLTON – This photo is looking south on Waterport Road from Stillwater Road on Wednesday, when it was raining for most of the day.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory today for Orleans County and much of Western New York. The advisory is in effect until 11 p.m.

Southwest winds from 25 to 35 miles per hour, with gusts up to 55 mph, are expected. The strong winds could make travel difficult for high-profile vehicles and could take down tree limbs, resulting in power outages.

Today is forecast for a high of 52 degrees with showers likely.

This photo shows Clarks Mills Road, a dirt road in Carlton along Oak Orchard River, during the rain on Wednesday.

Could be stormy, windy later today

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 October 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

Here is another look at those flags in the West Ridgeway Cemetery.

RIDGEWAY – Flags at graves in the West Ridgeway Cemetery are pictured on Tuesday with bright sunshine breaking through the foliage of the cemetery along Route 104.

Today, western and central New York could see hazardous weather, the National Weather Service said.

There is potential for a thunderstorm to develop along a cold front boundary that is expected to cross the area this evening, the Weather Service said.

“Should these thunderstorms develop, stronger and possibly damaging winds will be possible,” the Weather Service said.

Today is forecast for a high of 64 degrees with a 100 percent chance of rain.

Thursday will see a high of 52 degrees with showers likely, while Friday will have a high of 47 and slight chance of rain, according to the Weather Service.

Good time for a fall stroll

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 October 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Two people were out walking today at Mount Albion Cemetery. Many of the leaves have changed colors and come down, but there is still a lot of green on the trees.

The leaves on the trees by the Civil War section have turned yellow, orange and red. It is a moving sight, with the flags on the graves of the Civil War soldiers.

Here is another look at the Civil War section, backed up a little bit to show the flag pole.

Mount Albion is on the National Register of Historic Places. It has many ornamental graves and statues.

This is looking at the same statue, this time with the focus on the leaves in front.

Landscape changes daily with fall foliage

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 October 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers

CLARENDON – A row of trees with changing leaves runs along Brown Schoolhouse Road, a dirt road in Clarendon, on Tuesday.

Today is forecast for a high of 60 with showers likely, followed by a high of 61 with more rain likely on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

Friday will be sunny with a high of 48, followed by a high of 59 on a mostly cloudy Saturday, and a high of 56 on Sunday with a chance of showers.

‘Tis the season for breath-taking landscapes

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 October 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

GAINES – After another tough loss for the Buffalo Bills today, I decided a ride in the country would lift my spirits.

I was looking for a curvy road with some bright-colored leaves. I headed for Zig-Zag Road and liked the scene by John Long’s former dairy barn.

The sun was coming down and really lit up the barn and trees.

This photo was taken standing at the same spot on Zig-Zag Road, except I was looking towards the sun.

The canal was calm, and reflected the Keitel Road canal bridge, the trees and clouds.

This is looking west from the Keitel Road bridge.

Looking north on Keitel Road from the century-old bridge.

A former quarry now owned by the Albion Sportsmen’s Club also reflects the changing colors on the trees.

Freeze warning in effect tonight for Orleans County

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 October 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – This photo shows the Erie Canal bridge on Gaines Basin Road this evening. There was also a little fog over the canal.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a freeze warning for tonight from 11 p.m. until 10 a.m. on Sunday. The freeze warning is in effect for most of Western New York with temperatures in the high 20s to lower 30s.

This is the first freeze of the season and could kill tender vegetation if not protected, the Weather Service said.

This photo shows Eagle Harbor Road in Barre this afternoon, in a view from the Miller Road intersection looking south.

Double rainbow breaks out over Orleans

Staff Reports Posted 16 October 2015 at 12:00 am

Apryl Fox, the maintenance office assistant at Western New York Energy in Medina, took photos of the double rainbow that emerged late this afternoon when the sun came out after the rain.

The photos by Fox show the new 800,000-bushel grain bin by the ethanol plant. The grain bin is 105-foot wide by 142-foot high. The conveyor system at the top of the bin increases the height to 155 feet.

Chris Busch of Medina captured ths image of the double rainbow over the village.

Chris Busch also took this one of the rainbow as seen from South Main Street and Crosby’s.

Jason Smith, the Lyndonville Central School superintendent, grabbed this shot of the double rainbow on Route 31 looking east at the Eagle Harbor Road intersection.

Original canal loop, only section west of Rochester, is easy to miss in Holley

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 October 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – A small sign on a tree in a ditch in Holley notes that this was part of the original Erie Canal loop that meandered to the Public Square area of Holley.

The state veered the canal from a relatively straight line in 1823 due to the high banks and engineering challenge in dealing with Sandy Creek.

This map in the Holley Post Office shows how the Erie Canal used to loop about 2,000 feet towards the Public Square.

There was an unusually deep ravine formed by the east branch of Sandy Creek, which presented a difficult engineering problem for builders of the original Erie Canal in the early 1820s, according to display on the north side of the canal by the Holley lift bridge. The State Canal Corp. put up that display about “The Holley Loop.”

This historical marker is next to the railroad depot used by the Murray-Holley Historical Society near Save-A-Lot. The original canal went near the depot and Public Square and some stone and remnants are still visible in the community.

Rather than try to build the canal on the ravine, engineers opted to take a sharp turn near the current lift bridge and cross over a relatively narrow section of the creek.

“The sharp curve required boaters to slow down, which made a promising location for canal-oriented businesses,” according to the state display. “The Village of Holley grew at this bend in the canal.”

The village created a canal park about 15 years ago and the path follows close to where the canal loop passed through nearly 200 years ago.

The canal was widened throughout the 363-mile-long system from 1905 to 1918 and much of the original canal was replaced by the wider and deeper canal.

But in Holley, some of the original remained because it wasn’t touched as part of the Barge Canal widening in the early 1900s.

Another map, this one displayed in the office of Dr. Dan Schiavone, shows the Holley Loop. It linked back to the canal just west of Bennetts Corners Road.

The state in 1854-61, decided the original loop needed to be straightened out in Holley to create a shorter, more navigable waterway. A new section of the canal was built over a very high and long embankment.

“Because state law did not allow canal sections to be abandoned in villages or cities, the old loop was still used for several decades to serve local businesses,” according to the state display about the Holley Loop. “Canal traffic no longer stopped in the village, however, and eventually the loop was drained and eliminated. Traces of the original canal can still be seen east of the Public Square.”

This culvert from the old canal can be seen from Route 31, a few houses east of Glenside Automotive.

I wrote about trying to find the original canal in Holley last week while on a nature walk on the Holley trail system off the canal.

I couldn’t find any signs pointing to the old canal, and wasn’t sure if I was seeing any remnants from the original canal.

Three people offered to show it to me on Tuesday. I was joined by Holley dentist Dan Schiavone, Erin Anheier from the Clarendon Historical Society, and Mark Scarborough, who lives on Bennetts Corners Road where the former trolley passed by his home until the trolly closed in the 1930s.

This trail runs from off Route 31, west of Bennetts Corners Road to the canal. The canal once ran along side this path. However, Mark Scarborough said this was a companion to the original canal, which is more to the left with lots of stone and other remnants from the original.

Scarborough says invasive plants, including Wild Rose, have proliferated in the old canal bed.

Holley’s trail system doesn’t have any wayfinding signs that would point to the original canal. The only sign is the small one nailed to a tree.

So, I wonder if the old canal bed is a big deal, or maybe a really big deal? Should it be cleared out and perhaps made into a walking trail that could be explored? Would people come check out the only original canal bed west of Rochester on the canal system?

I would encourage the village and canal to at least have signs pointing to the canal bed, and interpretive panels that talk about the “Holley Loop” and this bit of Holley and canal history. There could be interpretive panels on the trail near the canal and also in the Public Square. That wouldn’t cost too much. (The state information display is on the north side of the canal away from the gazebo and the canal park. I doubt many people look at it.)

The village created this trail system in 2000 and used sandstone to line one side. The stone isn’t from the original canal project, but the path follows close to the Holley Loop.

Holley named the canal trail in honor of Andrew Cuomo, who was the HUD secretary at the time and directed some federal funds to the village for the project.

The historical marker is close to the start of the trail.