Canisteo River facts for kids
The Canisteo River is a river about 61 miles (98 km) long in western New York, United States. It is a tributary of the Tioga River. The Canisteo River is part of the larger Susquehanna River system. It flows through a hilly area called the Allegheny Plateau, which is southwest of the Finger Lakes region.
Contents
Where the River Flows
The Canisteo River starts in the hills of northern Allegany County, New York. This is about 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Dansville. The river then flows east into northern Steuben County.
It continues generally southeast, passing by the towns of Hornell and Canisteo. The Canisteo River joins the Tioga River from the west in southeastern Steuben County. This meeting point is about 10 miles (16 km) north of the Pennsylvania state line. It is also about 5 miles (8 km) southwest of Corning.
What "Canisteo" Means
The name of the river, "Canisteo," comes from a Native American word. This word means either "pickerel" (a type of fish) or "head of water."
History of the Canisteo River
The Canisteo River plays an important role in the history of western New York. Its waters eventually reach the Atlantic Ocean through the Susquehanna River. This made the Canisteo River a key route for trade in the past.
Early Transportation and Trade
Before the Erie Canal opened in 1825, the Canisteo River was a main way to move goods. Products from western New York could travel down the river. They would then go into the Tioga River, then the Chemung River, and finally the Susquehanna River. This route allowed goods to reach ports like Havre de Grace and Perryville, Maryland. These ports were located between Baltimore and Philadelphia.
People often used special boats called "arks" to transport goods. These arks could be up to 75 feet (23 meters) long. Arkport, New York, a town on the Canisteo River, was the highest point on the Susquehanna River system where these boats could travel.
Timber and Farming
The area around the upper part of the river was once covered in thick, untouched forests. Because of this, an early timber industry grew. Logs were cut down and then floated down the river to be sold. Later, farmers began to use the land for growing crops and raising livestock. These products were also transported using the river.
Dealing with Floods
The Canisteo River has sometimes caused floods. In the floods of 1936, the river overflowed its banks. It flooded parts of the towns of Canisteo and Hornell. After these floods, special flood control systems were built in both communities.
Since then, there has only been one major flood. This happened during Hurricane Agnes in 1972. The river damaged the Erie Railroad line south of Hornell. It also destroyed N.Y. Route 36 between Canisteo and Hornell. This road was later rebuilt further away from the river.
