Gateways Network matching grants are helping support the following projects at this Gateway. These projects are intended to enhance the public's ability to learn and enjoy the Bay’s stories and significance, explore its natural and cultural resources, and become involved in Bay stewardship. Through these projects and other Gateways Network efforts more and more people recognize the Chesapeake as a true national treasure.

The Chemung Basin River Trail is a 40-mile water trail route along an upper tributary of the Susquehanna River in New York. The project will create five new river access sites with water trail kiosks, resulting in a doubling of the length of the water trail route to 82 miles. The access points will be added along the Canisteo and Cohocton Rivers which flow into the Chemung Watershed. Low-maintenance bayscaping materials native to the region will be used at each access point to help create a high-value wildlife habitat/riparian buffer. This work will be done in conjunction with volunteer efforts of the Steuben County Master Gardeners Program, local Environmental Management Councils, and area civic groups.

The work of environmental restoration in the Chesapeake watershed often involves identifying problems and facing up to challenges. But it’s also important to celebrate success stories like New York’s Chemung River, which 30 years ago was a dangerously polluted waterway. "It’s clean today," says Maggie Holmes, a retired computer programmer and dedicated kayaker from the town of Painted Post. "It’s so clean that I’m totally surprised on those rare times when I see a bit of junk in it."

A broad partnership of community groups and governmental agencies is working to get more residents and tourists out to experience this reborn river. A new map guides paddlers along a 40-mile route, past wayside panels telling of the heritage of the area and its connections with the distant Bay.

The latest sign of the Chemung’s revival is one Holmes finds especially thrilling -- the return of bald eagles. "You can’t really describe why it’s so good for people to get out on that river," she says, "except to say it’s good for the soul."

The Chemung Basin River Trail and Headwaters River Trail are partnering on three projects to further the development of their water trails on the Chemung, Tioga, Cohocton, Canisteo, Susquehanna, Chenango, Unadilla, Otselic, and Tioghnioga Rivers in New York State. This grant will support (1) enhancement of three launch sites, (2) design and installation of an interactive way finding kiosk at a Chemung launch site, and (3) design and installation of a system of standardized locational signs on state owned bridges at high priority locations troughout the Upper Susquehanna River Basin.

A printed Chemung Basin River Trail Guide is available. This full color guide features a map showing launch site locations/features, topography and area points of interest, a narrative with descriptions of the watershed history, geology, fishing opportunities, wildlife, websites for related trails and local attractions/services, boating safety tips, and contacts for boat rentals/trips. (More Info)