The Stonycreek

About The Stonycreek

		The Stonycreek is a river that flows for 46 miles across the Allegheny Plateau in southwestern Pennsylvania before emptying into the Conemaugh River in Johnstown. Fly fishers love the Stonycreek Gorge’s nine miles of near-wilderness trout water, while the Stonycreek Canyon offers 15 rapids in four miles – the longest set of continuous rapids in the eastern United States. But The Stonycreek is also a corridor that contains the historic Forbes Trail and Flight 93 National Memorial, Quecreek Mine Rescue Site, Quemahoning Lake, Greenhouse Park and Whitewater Park – the first constructed set of rapids for boaters in Pennsylvania.

	History Delaware Indians named this river “Sinne-hanna.” General John Forbes’ men called this area the “Shades of Death” as they cut a road through here on their way to attack the French in 1758. Railroads opened this valley to coal mining and lumbering. Bethlehem Steel drew water for steelmaking here.
	Ecology The Stonycreek is a resurrected river! Considered dead just a generation ago from abandoned-mine drainage, this river now supports life throughout its 46-mile length. The 468 square-mile watershed, bordered by the Allegheny Front and Laurel Ridge, contains rolling farmland, active and reclaimed strip mines, woodlands, and classic former coal-mining communities.
	Recreation With a growing reputation among paddlers and fly fishers, and the development of Quemahoning Lake as a family recreation area, The Stonycreek is becoming the place for mountain-style fun! Paddle or pedal, cast a fly or a plug, swim or picnic, enjoy a crowded festival or a solitary walk. The Stonycreek features outstanding recreational and leisure-time resources!
	Video The Quemahoning: The Story of a Renewed Resource,” a 15-minute video about the history and development of this outstanding public-recreation resource within The Stonycreek Corridor. (30mb)