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Conemaugh River
Conemaugh River Lake Dam at low water
Location
CountryUnited States
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • coordinates40°19′54″N 78°55′30″W / 40.3317406°N 78.9250255°W / 40.3317406; -78.9250255
Mouth 
 • coordinates
40°29′08″N 79°27′14″W / 40.4856220°N 79.4539299°W / 40.4856220; -79.4539299
 • elevation
827 ft (252 m)
Discharge 
 • locationTunnelton
 • average2,431 cu ft/s (68.8 m3/s)[1]
Basin features
River systemAllegheny River

The Conemaugh River is a 70-mile (110 km) tributary of the Kiskiminetas River in Westmoreland, Indiana, and Cambria counties in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.[2] The name means 'Otter Creek', originating from the Unami-Lenape language word kwənəmuxkw 'otter'.[3][4][5]

Course

Conemaugh River Lake Dam near Saltsburg, Pennsylvania

The Conemaugh River is formed at Johnstown (site of the Johnstown Flood) in southwestern Cambria County by the confluence of the Little Conemaugh and Stonycreek rivers. It flows generally west–northwest, in a winding course through the mountains along the northern edge of Laurel Hill and Chestnut Ridge. Northwest of Blairsville it is joined by Blacklick Creek. At Saltsburg it is joined from the south by Loyalhanna Creek to form the Kiskiminetas River. Along much of its lower course, the Conemaugh forms part of the boundary between Westmoreland and Indiana counties.

Watershed

Historic bridges downstream of Conemaugh River Lake Dam: 1864 railroad bridge pier, 1907 arch bridge, and 1952 railroad bridge

The Kiskiminetas-Conemaugh river basin flows through scenic mountainous country that forms the heart of the historic coal-producing areas of western Pennsylvania. Before the Dam was constructed, the town of Livermore served the area between Blairsville and Saltsburg as an important stop along the former canal, as well as the railroad. The watershed is considered among the most degraded in the state, largely from abandoned mine drainages. The recovery of the river has been an important ongoing ecological management project of state and private agencies.

Communities

See also

References

  1. ^ "USGS Surface Water data for Pennsylvania: USGS Surface-Water Annual Statistics".
  2. ^ "Conemaugh River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2011-04-27.
  3. ^ Linder, Lee (Jul 9, 1970). "Happenings in Pennsylvania". Observer-Reporter. pp. B3. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  4. ^ Storey, Henry Wilson (1907). History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania. Vol. 1. New York: Lewis. p. 63. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
  5. ^ "kwënëmuxkw". Lenape Talking Dictionary. Archived from the original on February 1, 2016. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
  6. ^ "Kiski-Conemaugh River Water Trail". Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. March 4, 2024. Retrieved March 4, 2024.

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