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The Youghiogheny River , or the Yough (pronounced Yok ) for short, is a U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data
The National Map
accessed August 15, 2011
tributary A tributary, or affluent, is a stream or river that flows into a larger stream or main stem (or parent) river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean. Tributaries and the main stem river drain the surrounding drai ...
of the
Monongahela River The Monongahela River ( , )—often referred to locally as the Mon ()—is a U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map accessed August 15, 2011 river on the Allegheny Plateau in north-c ...
in the U.S. states of
West Virginia West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States.The Census Bureau and the Association of American Geographers classify West Virginia as part of the Southern United States while the ...
,
Maryland Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean t ...
, and
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...
. It drains an area on the west side of the
Allegheny Mountains The Allegheny Mountain Range (; also spelled Alleghany or Allegany), informally the Alleghenies, is part of the vast Appalachian Mountain Range of the Eastern United States and Canada and posed a significant barrier to land travel in less devel ...
northward into Pennsylvania, providing a small watershed in extreme western Maryland into the
tributaries A tributary, or affluent, is a stream or river that flows into a larger stream or main stem (or parent) river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean. Tributaries and the main stem river drain the surrounding drain ...
of the Mississippi River. Youghiogheny is a Lenape word meaning "a stream flowing in a contrary direction".


Variant names

According to the
Geographic Names Information System The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) is a database of name and locative information about more than two million physical and cultural features throughout the United States and its territories, Antarctica, and the associated states of ...
, it has also been known historically as: * Gawgawgamie, Ohio Gani River, Roonanetto, Yanghyanghgain, Yaughvaughani, Yauyougaine River, Yawyawganey, Yawyougaine River, Yeoyogani, Yochio Geni, Yoghioghenny River, Yogyogany River, Yohioganey, Yohogany, Youghiogeny River, Youghogania, Youghyaughye, Youghyoghgyina River, Yoxhio geni River, Yoxhiogany, Yoxhiogeny, Yoxyougaine River, Yughiogeny


Geography

The Youghiogheny rises in northern West Virginia, in Preston County southeast of the town of Aurora and near
Backbone Mountain Backbone Mountain is a ridge of the Allegheny Mountains of the central Appalachian Mountain Range. It is situated in the U.S. states of West Virginia and Maryland and forms a portion of the Eastern Continental Divide. In the state of Maryland, Ba ...
. The headwaters are approximately north of the headwaters of the North Branch of the Potomac River and pass through Silver Lake before flowing north-northeast into Garrett County, Maryland, then flowing north past Oakland and roughly parallel to the West Virginia border, separated by approximately . The river enters southwestern Pennsylvania on the border between Fayette and
Somerset ( en, All The People of Somerset) , locator_map = , coordinates = , region = South West England , established_date = Ancient , established_by = , preceded_by = , origin = , lord_lieutenant_office =Lord Lieutenant of Somerset , lor ...
counties. It flows northwest through a gap in Chestnut Ridge and then past
Connellsville Connellsville is a city in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States, southeast of Pittsburgh and away via the Youghiogheny River, a tributary of the Monongahela River. It is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The population was 7,637 ...
. It joins the
Monongahela River The Monongahela River ( , )—often referred to locally as the Mon ()—is a U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map accessed August 15, 2011 river on the Allegheny Plateau in north-c ...
from the southeast at McKeesport, southeast of
Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Wester ...
. Just upstream from Confluence, Pennsylvania, approximately north of the Pennsylvania border, the river is impounded by the Youghiogheny Dam to form the Youghiogheny River Lake, a reservoir that stretches upstream into northern Maryland. The dam was completed in 1944 primarily for
flood control Flood control methods are used to reduce or prevent the detrimental effects of flood waters."Flood Control", MSN Encarta, 2008 (see below: Further reading). Flood relief methods are used to reduce the effects of flood waters or high water level ...
.
U.S. Route 40 U.S. Route 40 or U.S. Highway 40 (US 40), also known as the Main Street of America, is a major east–west United States Highway traveling across the United States from the Mountain States to the Mid-Atlantic States. As with most routes wh ...
crosses the Youghiogheny River Lake between Jockey Hollow on the Fayette County side and Somerfield on the Somerset County side.


History

In the colonial era and in the early United States, the valley of the river provided an important route of access through the mountains for settlers and military forces from
Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth are ...
to western Pennsylvania and the Ohio Country. In 1754, as a militia officer of the British Colony of Virginia,
George Washington George Washington (February 22, 1732, 1799) was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. Appointed by the Continental Congress as commander of ...
followed the river in an attempt to find a water route to
Fort Duquesne Fort Duquesne (, ; originally called ''Fort Du Quesne'') was a fort established by the French in 1754, at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers. It was later taken over by the British, and later the Americans, and developed a ...
, then held by the
French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
. During the uncommonly severe winter of 1787-88, American pioneers to the Northwest Territory departed
New England New England is a region comprising six states in the Northeastern United States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. It is bordered by the state of New York to the west and by the Canadian provinces ...
and cut trails westward through the mountains. At Sumrill's Ferry, present-day
West Newton, Pennsylvania West Newton, located southeast of Pittsburgh, is a borough in Westmoreland County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Formerly, the manufacture of radiators and boilers were the chief industries. The population was 2,633 at the 2010 census. H ...
, on the Youghiogheny River, the men built flatboats which carried them down the Youghiogheny River to the
Monongahela River The Monongahela River ( , )—often referred to locally as the Mon ()—is a U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map accessed August 15, 2011 river on the Allegheny Plateau in north-c ...
, and then to the Ohio River, and onward to the Northwest Territory.Zimmer, ''True Stories from Pioneer Valley'', 14-17. The pioneer town of Somerfield, Pennsylvania, was inundated by the building of the Youghiogheny Dam.
Perryopolis Perryopolis is a borough in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. The borough is part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. The population was 1,705 at the 2020 census. History George Washington purchased here when land first became available. He visit ...
in northern Fayette County, Pennsylvania, is the site of the George Washington Grist Mill. The Youghiogheny River Trail follows the river in southwestern Pennsylvania southeast of Connellsville. Coal mining became an important industry along the lower Youghiogheny River during the 19th century. At that time, the name was often spelled ''Yohoghany'' (or variants thereof), and during the 1860s and 1870s that spelling was used as the name of a post office near what is now Shaner in Westmoreland County.
Fallingwater Fallingwater is a house designed by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1935 in the Laurel Highlands of southwest Pennsylvania, about southeast of Pittsburgh in the United States. It is built partly over a waterfall on Bear Run in the Mill ...
, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is located in the river valley southeast of Connellsville. In 1976, a 21-mile long segment of the Youghiogheny in Maryland was given special protected status by the state as the Youghiogheny Scenic & Wild River. Though most of the land along this corridor is private, it is managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to preserve its natural and cultural resources.


Recreation and travel

The Youghiogheny is popular for whitewater canoeing, kayaking and rafting. Four sections of the river, varying in difficulty, are available on a predictable basis for whitewater recreation: * Top Yough, near Swallow Falls State Park in Maryland ( Class IV-V) * Upper Yough, from Sang Run to
Friendsville, Maryland Friendsville is a town in Garrett County, Maryland, United States. The population was 491 at the 2010 census. Geography Friendsville is located at (39.662127, -79.405251). According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total are ...
( Class IV-V) * Middle Yough, from Confluence, Pennsylvania to Ohiopyle ( Class II) * Ohiopyle Falls in Ohiopyle State Park: Previously, this spectacular waterfall was legal for kayakers and canoeists to run on ''only'' one weekend a year ( Class IV), during a race and festival. During August 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced a pilot program allowing boaters to run the falls during three weeks from Sunday, August 22, 2010, through Sunday, September 12, 2010. The program was successful, so the falls are accessible to whitewater kayakers and canoeists with the same rules as the test program. * Lower Yough, which runs through Ohiopyle State Park from Ohiopyle to Bruner Run ( Class III) This section is the busiest whitewater trip east of the Mississippi River, being completed by over 250,000 people each year. * Further downstream, near Connellsville, the river is much slower, without whitewater rapids, and is able to be piloted by personal tubes, kayaks or canoes. Although the Youghiogheny is generally considered to be safe for whitewater recreation, there have been 19 deaths on the Lower Yough. At least five, and possibly as many as 14, of the fatalities have occurred at a rapid within the Lower Yough known as Dimple Rock. Dimple refers to both the Class III rapid by that name, as well as an undercut rock in the middle of the rapid by that name. Some of the deaths were attributed to preexisting health conditions, with 9 of the 14 being caused by the rock itself. The Youghiogheny is also known for fishing, having
brown Brown is a color. It can be considered a composite color, but it is mainly a darker shade of orange. In the CMYK color model used in printing or painting, brown is usually made by combining the colors orange and black. In the RGB color model ...
and rainbow trout, as well as smallmouth above the power plant discharge. Part of the Great Allegheny Passage, a multi-use trail along the former Western Maryland Railway right-of-way, extends from
Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Wester ...
to Confluence. From Confluence, it connects to Washington, D.C. Amtrak's Capitol Limited, an overnight train connecting Chicago and Washington D.C., follows the Youghiogheny through southwest Pennsylvania into western Maryland, one of the most scenic stretches of Amtrak's national system, crossing from side to side of the river in several places.


Images

File:USACE Youghiogheny Lake and Dam.jpg, Youghiogheny Lake and Dam on the Youghiogheny River near Confluence, Pennsylvania File:Low brace Youghiogheny River Ohiopyle, PA.jpg, The Lower Yough: One of the most actively run sections of whitewater east of the Mississippi River File:Youghiogheny River at West Newton.jpg, Youghiogheny River at West Newton, Pennsylvania File:Youghiogheny Valley Plate IX WBClark 1897.jpg, View of the Youghiogheny Valley in the Alleghany Mountains, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (1898)


Crossings

The Great Crossings is the place on the river where George Washington and General Braddock forded the river in 1755, during the French and Indian War.


Treatment in fiction

The Youghiogheny River was likely the inspiration for the fictional Yuggogheny River, whose valley was used by Michael Chabon for the setting of his short story "In the Black Mill" from the 2000 collection ''Werewolves in their Youth''. His 2001 story "The God Of Dark Laughter" is also set in Yuggogheny County. In Chabon's 2000 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel '' The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay'', an expert or experts on Yuggogheny cannibal cults are present at the party where Joe Kavalier saves
Salvador Dalí Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech, Marquess of Dalí of Púbol (; ; ; 11 May 190423 January 1989) was a Spanish Surrealism, surrealist artist renowned for his technical skill, precise draftsmanship, and the striking and bizarr ...
from drowning. The Youghiogheny River is mentioned (malapropped as "Young-iogheny") in an episode of the '' Rocky and Bullwinkle'' cartoon show. The river is also referred to (as Yochio Geni) in Thomas Pynchon's novel ''
Mason & Dixon ''Mason & Dixon'' is a postmodernist novel by American author Thomas Pynchon, published in 1997. It presents a fictionalized account of the collaboration between Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon in their astronomical and surveying exploits in th ...
''.


See also

* American Pioneers to the Northwest Territory * List of rivers of Maryland * List of rivers of Pennsylvania * List of rivers of West Virginia * Meshach Browning (1781–1859), early backwoodsman and explorer of the Youghiogheny country


References

* Palmer, Tim (1984). ''Youghiogheny: Appalachian River.'' University of Pittsburgh Press. .


External links


wikimapia.org YoughioghenyU.S. Geological Survey: PA stream gaging stationsYoughiogheny River Trail

National Whitewater River Inventory: Upper YoughNational Whitewater River Inventory: Lower YoughNational Whitewater River Inventory: Middle YoughNational Whitewater River Inventory: Ohiopyle FallsWest Virginia Rivers Coalition
{{authority control Rivers of Garrett County, Maryland Rivers of Preston County, West Virginia Rivers of Pennsylvania Rivers of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Rivers of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania Rivers of Fayette County, Pennsylvania Rivers of Somerset County, Pennsylvania Tributaries of the Monongahela River