The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA

Local News

About the Stonycreek River:

Length: The waterway is 46 miles long, flowing through northern Somerset and southern Cambria counties. In Johnstown, it combines with the Little Conemaugh to form the Conemaugh River.

Recreation: Anglers are drawn to 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.

Off to the side: The river corridor contains the historic Forbes Trail, the Flight 93 National Memorial, Quecreek mine rescue site and Johnstown’s Inclined Plane.

Related Photos

  • About 20 kayak and canoe enthusiasts paddle on the Stonycreek River on Jan. 1. On Monday, the Stonycreek was named River of the Year by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and state Association of Watersheds and Rivers. TARA HARRINGTON/FOR THE TRIBUNE-DEMOCRAT

    River_of_the_Year.JPG

Discussion

January 9, 2012

Stonycreek chosen River of the Year in online voting

Dave Hurst and Bernie Hornick dhurst@tribdem.com

JOHNSTOWN — The Stonycreek River, a reborn waterway that now hosts fishing and whitecap kayaking, was named Pennsylvania’s River of the Year on Monday through online voting.

Officials continue to hold high hopes that the river will emerge as a major economic driver, drawing hundreds of boaters with a whitewater release valve on the Quemahoning Reservoir.

“This is great recognition,” Len Lichvar, director of the Somerset County Conservation District, said of the river that suffered decades of acid-mine drainage.

The honor comes with a $10,000 grant.

“When little Johnny catches fish in places where his grandfather couldn’t, that’s where you can tell the difference,” he said. “This river was essentially lifeless.”

The scenic Stonycreek supports 22 fish species, according to the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, and part of the river near the Que is becoming a coldwater trout fishery.

In addition, Somerset County is pushing for grant money to improve the waterfront in Hollsopple and make the town more hospitable to boaters.

Officials hope bed and breakfasts, boating shops and restaurants will sprout there.

Already in Johnstown, a tubing business has taken hold.

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