This map & guide was developed by the Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation (BARC), a non-profit community development corporation in Brownsville, PA. For more information visit www.barcpa.org. Monongahela River Visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website For your safety and enjoyment: Middle Section (www.fishandboat.com) to access the Monongahela River Always wear a life jacket Water Trail: Upper Section Map and Guide (Fairmont, WV Obtain proper instructions in boating skills Fredericktown to McKeesport to Fredericktown) and the Three Rivers Water Trail Map Know fishing and boating regulations and Guide (McKeesport to Pittsburgh). Be prepared for river hazards Carry proper equipment This project was supported Map & Guide by grants from the Port of Pittsburgh Commission, the Community Foundation of Fayette County, and the Pennsylvania National Road Heritage Corridor. Photo Credits: Sam Lichtenwald, Lindsay Baxter, Sara Goots. T he Monongahela River slips gracefully through the hills of the Allegheny Plateau in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Known colloquially as “the Mon,” the river flows north 129 miles from the confluence of the West Fork and Tygart Valley Rivers in Fairmont, West Virginia to meet with the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The middle section (Mid Mon) featured on this map and guide is floatable year-round and extends 50 miles from Fredericktown to McKeesport in Pennsylvania. The Mon’s rich history is rooted in industry. In the late-1800s, towns flourished along the riverbanks, producing innovations in ship building and supplying raw materials necessary for Pittsburgh’s steel industry to thrive. Immigrants of many nationalities settled in towns nearest to the Mon, choosing the region for the prevalence of jobs in coal and steel production. A journey through the beautiful countryside of Western Pennsylvania on the Mid Mon is a voyage through the history of our nation. The river meanders through a valley rich in natural resources, around the breeding ground Mile Mile McKeesport of the 1793 Whiskey Rebellion, past sites of scientific and technological innovation, and on toward the historic 15 42 Charleroi heart of American industry. Each community along the Mid Mon exhibits a unique cultural heritage. From McKeesport is located at the confluence of the At the marina travelers can find restrooms, a picnic natural beauties to vibrant communities, a trip on the Monongahela is certain to provide you with an Youghiogheny and Monongahela Rivers. Make sure to pay a area, and a restaurant. Boats can dock at the marina unforgettable experience. visit to the Carnegie Free Library e, Renziehausen Park- Rose overnight for a fee. For information on Charleroi, contact the EXPLORING THE MID MON RIVER MID MON THE EXPLORING Garden and Arboretum e, and McKeesport Regional History Charleroi Area Historical Society (charleroi-historical.org). PADDLING SAFETY TIPS & BOATING REGULATIONS and Heritage Center e. www.charleroiboro.org C b W = www.mckeesport-pa.gov E C b W J = Wear your life jacket: 80 percent of all Portage (carry) your boat around any section Mile recreational boating fatalities happen to of water about which you feel uncertain. Speers Mile Glassport 43 people who are not wearing a life jacket. Wear wading shoes or tennis shoes with wool, 18 Speers is a unique community with a lovely strip of Expect to get wet. Even the best paddlers polypropylene, pile or neoprene socks. Glassport is home to the Ninth Street Ballfield, an waterfront shops. Speers has a pier, a dock, and a paved sometimes capsize or swamp their boats. Avoid boating alone. Boating safety increases outdoor sports complex with basketball courts and a boat ramp for your convenience. Bring extra clothing in a waterproof bag. playground area. The Steel Valley Trail, a section of the Great with numbers. www.riversidevillageshoppes.com C b Be prepared to swim. If the water looks too Keep painter lines (ropes tied to the bow) and Allegheny Passage, can be accessed at 7th and Delaware St. hazardous to swim in, don’t go paddling. any other ropes coiled and secured. www.glassport.webs.com E C b J = Mile Belle Vernon If you capsize, hold on to your boat, unless it Never tie a rope to yourself or to another paddler, WAY THE ALONG SEE TO WHAT 44 presents a life-threatening situation. If floating in especially a child. Mile Belle Vernon, French for “beautiful green,” features current, position yourself on the upstream side of Elizabeth Kneel to increase your stability before entering 23 Kuhn Park, located in close proximity to the river, and the capsized boat. The barge at Elizabeth’s Riverfront Park e is available rougher water, like a rapid. Graham Street Park in North Belle Vernon, which has picnic Scout ahead whenever possible. Know the river. for fishing year round. Lewis and Clark began their journey If you collide with an obstruction, lean toward it. This facilities. Avoid surprises. west in a keelboat built in Elizabeth. The town holds a festival will usually prevent capsizing or flooding the boat. Be prepared for the weather. Get a forecast each August to commemorate the event. www.rostraver.us E C b W = File a float plan with a reliable person, indicating before you go. Sudden winds and rain are where you are going and when you will return. www.elizabethboro.com E C b J = Mile common and can turn a pleasant trip into a California Remember to contact the person when you have risky, unpleasant venture. Mile 51 returned safely. New Eagle California is the thriving home to California University of Never take your boat over a low-head dam. 30 Pennsylvania e, an 8,000 student college with world-class There are several restaurants in close proximity to the facilities. There are numerous events held in California river access point in New Eagle. In addition, a small park A U.S. Coast Guard-approved and sunrise. Boats can use a Unpowered boats (canoes, kayaks, annually including River Fest (August), parades, and many near the launch dock makes this community an ideal place to wearable personal flotation device lantern or clip-on battery-powered rowboats) using Pennsylvania Fish university-related happenings. (PFD or life jacket) is required for unit to meet this requirement. & Boat Commission or State Park or stop along the Mon. each person on board. In addition, Forest access areas must either be www.californiapa15419.com E C b = Unpowered boats must carry a www.neweagleboro.org C b one throwable device (seat cushion registered OR display a valid launch white light, either hand-held or or ring buoy) is required on boats permit. Launch permits can be Mile installed, to be displayed in time to Mile Brownsville 16 feet in length or longer. Canoes purchased through the Commission’s Monongahela 56 avoid a collision between sunset 32 and kayaks, regardless of length, website at www.fishandboat.com The Brownsville Riverside Wharf welcomes river-users and sunrise and during restricted Throughout the summer, the Monongahela Aquatorium are not required to carry a (Click the “Outdoor Shop” icon) or at to the community. The town boasts several museums and visibility. e hosts music events right on the river. Make sure to stop by historical treasures, including the Historic Flatiron Building , throwable device. many state park offices. the Monongahela Area Historical Society e or take a stroll in e All powered boats must show the Monongahela River, Railroad, and Transportation Museum From November 1 through April 30, Operating watercraft, including Chess Park. running lights between sunset and boaters must wear a life jacket on canoes and kayaks, under the e, and the Nemacolin Castle e. sunrise. All boats are required to www.cityofmonongahela-pa.gov E C b J = boats less than 16 feet in length or influence of alcohol or drugs is carry a sound-producing device. www.brownsvilleborough.com E C b = any canoe or kayak during these illegal. This law is strongly enforced Mile Motorboats less than 40 feet in for user safety. For further Monessen Mile cold weather months. length must carry some mechanical 39 information on boating regulations, Fredericktown means of making a sound signal. The Greater Monessen Historical Society operates the 64 Life jackets must be the appropriate contact the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat This device may be hand-, mouth- or Monessen Heritage Museum e. The river access point is well Fredericktown is located in the Maxwell Basin size for the person intended and Commission at www.fishandboat.com. must be in good, serviceable power-operated. An athletic coach’s -equipped with a picnic area and bathrooms on site. Recreational Area, one of the most ideal spots on the Mon whistle is an acceptable device. for boating. Dining options are within walking distance of the condition. www.cityofmonessen.com E C b W = Operators of unpowered boats River. Life jackets must be worn by all (canoes, kayaks, rowboats, www.eastbethtwp.com C b J children 12 years old and younger paddleboards) are required to carry SYMBOL LEGEND on all boats 20 feet or less in length a device capable of sounding a Gas Station Park Historical Site Point of Interest while under way, and on all canoes prolonged blast for 4-6 seconds E b J e and kayaks. Others are strongly that can be heard by another boat C Restaurant W Lodging = Pharmacy (see corresponding list on map) encouraged to wear a PFD at all operator in time to avoid a collision. Can’t get enough of the Mon River Valley? Though you can’t access these times on the water. An athletic coach’s whistle is A SHORT DRIVE AWAY communities from the river, they are definitely worth a visit on your drive! acceptable. All boats must display an anchor light (a white light visible 360 degrees) All motorboats must be registered, River Mile 17 Dravosburg (www.dravosburg.org) River Mile 35 Forward Township (www.forwardtownship.com) when at anchor between sunset regardless of where they launch.