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New York | Monroe County / Greater Rochester

Erie CanalEast Guard Lock / Genesee River to Bushnell’s Basin Docks

A 9.3-mile one-way Erie Canal Water Trail section from the East Guard Lock at the Genesee River through Brighton and Pittsford to Bushnell’s Basin. The official stewardship inventory names this as Section 9 and lists the Brighton Reserve, Lock 32, DEC Pittsford, Port of Pittsford, Great Embankment, and Bushnell’s Basin access chain; the guidebook supplies the launch coordinates, facilities, rowing and motor-boat traffic warnings, lock controls, and Great Embankment vertical exposure. This remains planning-only because canal operations and local access are not represented by the 04218700 proxy gauge.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 9.3 official Canalway miles one way from East Guard Lock to Bushnell’s Basin Docks
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAbout 5–7 hours depending on current
ShuttleCar shuttle
Erie Barge Canal west of the Genesee River at Rochester, New York, used as same-canal proxy context for the Genesee River to Bushnell’s Basin section.
Route photoGenesee River to Bushnell’s Basin Erie Canal route and same-canal proxy contextPhoto by U.S. Geological Survey

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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 9.3 official Canalway miles one way from East Guard Lock to Bushnell’s Basin DocksEast Guard Lock / Genesee River to Bushnell’s Basin Docks
DifficultymoderateThe route is protected canal flatwater but includes high recreational and rowing traffic, bridge and lock controls, a steep Lock E33 portage, the Lock 32 whitewater/spillway hazard, elevated Great Embankment exposure, wakes, cold water, vertical walls, and limited legal egress.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the downstream vehicle at confirmed Bushnell’s Basin Docks, then drive to the confirmed Brighton Reserve or DEC Pittsford launch. Use the East Guard Lock only as a section-boundary reference unless current public access is separately confirmed; allow extra time for lock-area portages, rowing activity, traffic, and dock congestion.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is identified by the Canalway guide. Confirm current Canal Corporation lock/guard-gate and bridge procedures, municipal park and dock rules, DEC/Canal Corp. launch conditions, parking, rowing activity, and Bushnell’s Basin dockmaster instructions before departure.
CampingOptions nearbyBushnell’s Basin has documented boater amenities and nearby lodging, but no campsite is claimed for this exact one-way section. Use separately verified managed lodging or campground options; do not camp at Brighton Reserve, Lock 32, Pittsford parks, Great Embankment, Bushnell’s Basin, canal banks, or private shoreline without explicit permission.
SeasonMay-OctThis Rochester-to-Pittsford canal reach is seasonal and sensitive to canal levels, lift-bridge and guard-gate operations, high recreational traffic, rowing activity, storms, wakes, and changing park access. Check current Canal Corporation notices, the same-canal proxy gauge, and every access before departure.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

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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 9.3-mile one-way Erie Canal Water Trail section from the East Guard Lock at the Genesee River through Brighton and Pittsford to Bushnell’s Basin. The official stewardship inventory names this as Section 9 and lists the Brighton Reserve, Lock 32, DEC Pittsford, Port of Pittsford, Great Embankment, and Bushnell’s Basin access chain; the guidebook supplies the launch coordinates, facilities, rowing and motor-boat traffic warnings, lock controls, and Great Embankment vertical exposure. This remains planning-only because canal operations and local access are not represented by the 04218700 proxy gauge.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

East Guard Lock / Genesee River section boundary
Open mapDirections to put-in

The stored coordinates follow official Canalway guide and NYSDEC public access-area anchors; dock, wall, parking, carry, lock, gate, and park conditions remain subject to current local operation.

Finish

Take-out

Bushnell’s Basin Docks and Canal Amenity Center
Open mapDirections to take-out

East Guard Lock is the official section boundary but is not asserted as a public launch. Brighton Reserve and DEC Pittsford are the clearest current public-entry options; confirm each before unloading.

Road shuttle

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Access planner

Choose your launch and take-out

This changes launch and take-out logistics, not today's river score.

On-water distance9.3 miMixed access
On-water timeAbout 5–7 hours depending on currentFull route option
ShuttleCar shuttleChoose a shorter in/out pair for a shorter day.

East Guard Lock / Genesee River section boundary to Bushnell’s Basin Docks and Canal Amenity Center is about 9.3 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.

Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • The stored coordinates follow official Canalway guide and NYSDEC public access-area anchors; dock, wall, parking, carry, lock, gate, and park conditions remain subject to current local operation.
  • East Guard Lock is the official section boundary but is not asserted as a public launch. Brighton Reserve and DEC Pittsford are the clearest current public-entry options; confirm each before unloading.
  • Lock E33 and Lock E32 are navigation controls with portage/spillway hazards. Lock 32 State Canal Park and Great Embankment have near-water facilities, but no general landing right is inferred from a dock or viewing platform.
  • The route ends at Bushnell’s Basin. Continuing east into the official Section 10 Bushnell’s Basin-to-Macedon corridor requires a separate route and access review; the existing Fairport-to-Bushnell’s Basin card is a distinct reverse/round-trip itinerary.

Watch for

  • USGS 04218700 unavailable, rapidly changing, or inconsistent with the local Erie Canal pool
  • East Guard Lock, Lock E33 spillway, Lock E32/Whitewater Park, guard gates, bridge clearances, rowing crews, tour boats, wakes, cold water, weeds/debris, and vertical walls
  • Brighton Reserve, DEC Pittsford, Port of Pittsford, Great Embankment, Bushnell’s Basin docks, parking, carries, event closures, and current Canal Corporation notices

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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Download GPX Route geometry only; no schedule required.

Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Gauge detail

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Gauge

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Route gallery

Photos

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

Erie Barge Canal west of the Genesee River at Rochester, New York, used as same-canal proxy context for the Genesee River to Bushnell’s Basin section.
Genesee River to Bushnell’s Basin Erie Canal route and same-canal proxy contextPhoto by U.S. Geological Survey
USGS station photograph; same-canal proxy 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.

  • Distinct Canalway sectionGenesee River to Bushnell’s Basin; approximately 9.3 miles; official Section 9

    The official Erie Canalway stewardship inventory identifies the section, East Guard Lock start, Bushnell’s Basin finish, and named access chain.

    Source

  • Public water-entry chainBrighton Reserve, Lock 32 State Canal Park, DEC Pittsford Boat Ramp, Port of Pittsford, Great Embankment Park, and Bushnell’s Basin

    The official Rochester guidebook supplies access coordinates, facilities, lock controls, traffic context, and the Bushnell’s Basin destination.

    Source

  • Current Monroe County accessBrighton hand launch, Pittsford hard-surface launch, and Bushnell’s Basin hand launch

    NYSDEC lists current Monroe County Erie Canal launch sites and parking/type details; confirm day-of conditions.

    Source

  • Lock and traffic safetyLock E33 spillway warning, Lock 32 whitewater facility, Pittsford crew traffic, Great Embankment elevation, and Bushnell’s Basin wakes

    The Rochester guidebook supplies the route-specific operating hazards and access cautions.

    Source

  • Navigation safetyHigh traffic, bridges, locks, guard gates, rowing activity, wakes, cold water, and limited public egress

    The guidebook and Canalway safety guidance supply route-specific navigation and access precautions.

    Source

  • Proxy live gaugeUSGS 04218700 Erie Barge Canal west of Genesee River at Rochester

    USGS provides same-canal proxy context only; local canal pool, traffic, debris, rowing, locks, and bridge operations remain decisive.

    Source

  • Camping postureNearby managed basecamp only; no on-route camping claim

    Confirm current lodging/campground rules directly and do not infer camping rights from canal parks or docks.

    Source

  • Route imageUSGS Erie Canal proxy station photograph used as clearly labeled same-canal context

    The presentation image is proxy context and does not claim to depict the Genesee River–Bushnell’s Basin reach.

    Source

  • Same-river proxy gaugeUSGS 04218700, Erie (Barge) Canal west of Genesee River at Rochester, NY

    USGS 04218700 measures the Erie Barge Canal west of the Genesee River at Rochester and is used as a same-canal proxy. Canal pool level, local weeds/debris, wind, wakes, rowing activity, lock/guard-gate operations, and launch condition can differ materially; the gauge does not authorize lock passage or entry to spillways.

    Source

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

    Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Rochester Water Trail 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

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Keep exploring

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Quick answers

Erie Canal paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the East Guard Lock / Genesee River to Bushnell’s Basin Docks route on the Erie Canal?

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 East Guard Lock / Genesee River to Bushnell’s Basin Docks route on the Erie Canal start and end?

This route starts at East Guard Lock / Genesee River section boundary and ends at Bushnell’s Basin Docks and Canal Amenity Center, about 9.3 official Canalway miles one way from East Guard Lock to Bushnell’s Basin Docks on the water.

Is the East Guard Lock / Genesee River to Bushnell’s Basin Docks route on the Erie Canal suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate 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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