Stonycreek River

For other uses, see Stonycreek (disambiguation).
Stonycreek River
Map
Location
CountryUnited States
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • coordinates39°55′37″N 78°57′31″W / 39.927025°N 78.9586355°W / 39.927025; -78.9586355
Mouth 
 • coordinates
40°19′51″N 78°55′31″W / 40.3309072°N 78.9253033°W / 40.3309072; -78.9253033
 • elevation
1,138 ft (347 m)
Discharge 
 • locationFerndale
 • average704 cu ft/s (19.9 m3/s)[1]
Basin features
River systemAllegheny River

The Stonycreek River (also referred to as Stony Creek) is a tributary of the Conemaugh River, approximately 45 mi (72 km) long, in southwestern Pennsylvania, United States.[2]

Course

It rises in the mountains of eastern Somerset County from the headwater spring, Pius Spring, in Berlin, and flows north past Shanksville, Stoystown, Hooversville, and Ferndale. It joins the Little Conemaugh River at Johnstown to form the Conemaugh River. Additional variant names include: Achsinne-hanne, Gordon, and Sinne-hanna.[2]

The river basin is in a highly scenic area but had been considered among the most degraded in the state, largely as the result of acid mine drainage from the long history of coal mining in the region. The recovery of the river has been an ongoing project of federal, state, and private agencies, and continues to progress. In recent decades, the river has become a popular destination for trout fishing.

Recreation

Following the sale of the Quemahoning Reservoir by Bethlehem Steel Corporation to the Cambria Somerset Authority, there have been periodic releases of water into the Stonycreek in order to facilitate whitewater rafting as an additional recreational opportunity. As of early 2010, there was a proposal to substantially increase discharges from the reservoir to improve whitewater rafting on the Stonycreek River.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ "USGS Surface Water data for Pennsylvania: USGS Surface-Water Annual Statistics".
  2. ^ a b "Stonycreek River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
  3. ^ Faher, Mike (January 7, 2010). "State: Whitewater cash on way $450,000 grant will go toward Quemahoning project". The Tribune-Democrat. Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, PA. Archived from the original on January 11, 2010. Retrieved January 9, 2010.
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