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New York | Chautauqua County / Jamestown

Chadakoin RiverLucille Ball Memorial Park / Celoron to McCrea Point Park, Jamestown

A planning-only approximately 3.25-mile moving-water route from the public Lucille Ball Memorial Park launch in Celoron through the Chautauqua Lake outlet and Chadakoin River to the public McCrea Point Park launch in Jamestown. A 2026 Chautauqua Watershed guided-paddle itinerary identifies this exact corridor and public endpoints, while NYSDEC lists both launch sites. The downstream Falconer USGS station is retained as a clearly labeled same-river proxy because it is downstream of the Jamestown corridor.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 3.25 water miles from Lucille Ball Memorial Park through the Chautauqua Lake outlet to McCrea Point Park
DifficultyEasy
Typical timeAbout 2–3.5 hours depending on wind
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Chadakoin River at the USGS Falconer monitoring station in New York, used as downstream same-river context for the Chautauqua Lake outlet route.
Route photoChadakoin River at Falconer; Chautauqua Lake outlet route contextPhoto by U.S. Geological Survey

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 3.25 water miles from Lucille Ball Memorial Park through the Chautauqua Lake outlet to McCrea Point ParkLucille Ball Memorial Park / Celoron to McCrea Point Park, Jamestown
DifficultyeasyThe guided itinerary describes a leisurely kayak/canoe paddle, but the route crosses exposed lake water and enters an urban outlet with wakes, wind, changing current, bridges, structures, and limited alternatives once committed.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the downstream vehicle at McCrea Point only after confirming the current launch, parking, and park hours, then drive to Lucille Ball Memorial Park. The 2026 guided itinerary identifies a shuttle from McCrea Point back to Celoron; verify current event-independent parking and vehicle logistics before travel.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow current NYSDEC and municipal launch rules, park hours, New York boating/PFD requirements, aquatic-invasive-species controls, weather advisories, and posted waterfront restrictions. Confirm any event, parking, launch, or dock restriction at both parks before departure.
CampingDay tripNo on-route or endpoint camping is claimed. Chautauqua County and nearby lake communities provide separately managed lodging and campground options; reserve and verify those facilities independently rather than camping at either municipal launch.
SeasonMay-OctThe lake-to-outlet corridor is most comfortable during the warmer navigation season, but wind, thunderstorms, boat traffic, lake level, and regulated outlet flow can change the trip quickly. Check the forecast, local launch notices, and downstream gauge trend before departure.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

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WeekendChecking

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A planning-only approximately 3.25-mile moving-water route from the public Lucille Ball Memorial Park launch in Celoron through the Chautauqua Lake outlet and Chadakoin River to the public McCrea Point Park launch in Jamestown. A 2026 Chautauqua Watershed guided-paddle itinerary identifies this exact corridor and public endpoints, while NYSDEC lists both launch sites. The downstream Falconer USGS station is retained as a clearly labeled same-river proxy because it is downstream of the Jamestown corridor.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Lucille Ball Memorial Park public boat launch, Celoron
Open mapDirections to put-in

Both endpoints are current public launch listings, but the stored coordinates are launch-area anchors. Confirm the exact ramp/dock, carry, parking, hours, and waterline on arrival.

Finish

Take-out

McCrea Point Park public boat launch, Jamestown
Open mapDirections to take-out

The guided itinerary’s shuttle and route timing are event-specific context; a private group must independently confirm McCrea Point parking, take-out availability, and vehicle staging.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Both endpoints are current public launch listings, but the stored coordinates are launch-area anchors. Confirm the exact ramp/dock, carry, parking, hours, and waterline on arrival.
  • The guided itinerary’s shuttle and route timing are event-specific context; a private group must independently confirm McCrea Point parking, take-out availability, and vehicle staging.
  • The route finishes at McCrea Point before any further downtown basin, structure, dam, or private-bank exploration. Do not improvise a later landing if wind, current, or daylight deteriorates.

Watch for

  • USGS 03014500 unavailable, rapidly changing, or inconsistent with local outlet current; lake-level changes, wind, thunderstorms, and poor visibility
  • Boat wakes, fishing traffic, submerged wood, bridges, urban structures, shoreline debris, cold water, and limited emergency landing options
  • Lucille Ball Memorial Park and McCrea Point hours, parking, ramps/docks, events, shuttle staging, and posted municipal restrictions

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

Trip schedule

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Gauge detail

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Gauge

Recent trend

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Next 8 hours

Short-route forecast

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Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

The Chadakoin River at the USGS Falconer monitoring station in New York, used as downstream same-river context for the Chautauqua Lake outlet route.
Chadakoin River at Falconer; Chautauqua Lake outlet route contextPhoto by U.S. Geological Survey
USGS public-domain station image; downstream same-river context

Sources

Data and sources

Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.

NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Named water-trail itineraryLucille Ball Memorial Park / Celoron to McCrea Point; 3.25 miles with optional Jamestown extension

    The 2026 Chautauqua Watershed guided paddle identifies the public launch, McCrea Point destination, route length, and shuttle context.

    Source

  • Public launch endpointsNYSDEC lists Lucille Ball Memorial Park and McCrea Point Park on the Chautauqua Lake/Chadakoin corridor

    The current county launch directory identifies both municipal hard-surface public launches and their coordinates.

    Source

  • Same-river proxy gaugeUSGS 03014500 Chadakoin River at Falconer

    The station is downstream of the Jamestown corridor and is used for trend context only, not a route-specific cutoff.

    Source

  • Safety and access contextChautauqua Lake exposure, outlet current, wakes, bridges, and urban structures

    The Chautauqua Watershed and Chadakoin activation material describe the recreational corridor, current launch infrastructure, and the need to account for changing water and waterfront conditions.

    Source

  • Camping postureNearby managed lodging/campgrounds only; no launch-site camping claim

    The route is a day-use municipal-launch corridor and does not establish camping rights at either endpoint.

    Source

  • Approved route imageUSGS Chadakoin River station photograph used as downstream same-river context

    The image is context only and does not depict the lake crossing, outlet, launch, traffic, or current route conditions.

    Source

  • Same-river proxy gaugeUSGS 03014500, Chadakoin River at Falconer, NY

    USGS 03014500 is a continuous Chadakoin River station at Falconer, about six miles downstream of Chautauqua Lake and the Jamestown launch corridor. It is retained as same-river trend context only; lake level, outlet current, wind, wakes, structures, and local weather control this route.

    Source

  • Safety and river conditionsCheck live gauge, recent rainfall, trend, debris, bridges, and access conditions before launch

    NYSDEC / Chautauqua Watershed Trails Day / City of Jamestown and its linked safety material warn that conditions change rapidly and require local inspection.

    Source

  • Image decisionApproved watershed/proxy-gauge context image used for route presentation

    The image is clearly labeled as watershed/proxy-gauge context and does not claim to depict this exact reach.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

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Keep exploring

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Quick answers

Chadakoin River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Lucille Ball Memorial Park / Celoron to McCrea Point Park, Jamestown route on the Chadakoin River?

This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.

Where does the Lucille Ball Memorial Park / Celoron to McCrea Point Park, Jamestown route on the Chadakoin River start and end?

This route starts at Lucille Ball Memorial Park public boat launch, Celoron and ends at McCrea Point Park public boat launch, Jamestown, about 3.25 water miles from Lucille Ball Memorial Park through the Chautauqua Lake outlet to McCrea Point Park on the water.

Is the Lucille Ball Memorial Park / Celoron to McCrea Point Park, Jamestown route on the Chadakoin River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a easy route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.

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