Canisteo River

This allowed goods transported on the Canisteo River to reach the Atlantic via the ports of Havre de Grace and Perryville, Maryland, midway between Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Prior to the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825, this was western New York State's most direct route for products going to market.

As on other rivers in the Susquehanna basin, transportation on the Canisteo before the middle of the 19th century was often accomplished by arks up to 75 feet (23 m) long.

Arkport, New York, on the Canisteo River, was the highest navigable point in the Susquehanna watershed.

Since the upper headwaters went through virgin forest, an early timber industry developed.