↓ Skip to Main Content
Search
Generic filters
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Search in excerpt
  • Archive
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • About
Pittsburgh Quarterly
  • Pittsburgh Today
    • Regional News
    • Spotlight
    • The Pulse
    • Indicators
    • Regional Annual Report
    • Special Reports
    • Sustainability Watch
    • Pittsburgh Tomorrow Podcast
    • Contest Ideas
    • About Pittsburgh Today
  • Money
    • Business
    • Money
    • Innovation
    • Retirement
    • Creative Capital
  • Nonprofits
    • Leadership
    • Region
    • Nonprofits
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Events
  • People
    • Profiles
    • Obituaries
    • Arrivals
    • American Spirit
  • Home/Lifestyle
    • Homes
    • Travel
    • Food & Wine
    • Restaurant Reviews
    • Shopping
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • Books
    • Opinion
    • Architecture & Neighborhoods
    • PQ Poem
    • History
    • Calendar
  • Health
    • Health
    • Science
  • Sports/Outdoors
    • Sports
    • Birds
    • Nature
    Home › Article › Floating on the Shenango River

    Floating on the Shenango River

    by Thomas Saunders
    2020 Spring
    Photo courtesy of Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
    The waters of the upper Shenango River provide beautiful recreation and quality habitat due to their intact landscape and forested banks.
    July 6, 2020

    One wonderful way to see portions of our western Pennsylvania landscape is to paddle a river or stream by canoe or kayak. One place to paddle is the upper Shenango River in western Mercer County, 70 miles north of Pittsburgh. A 23-mile stretch flows unimpeded between the Pymatuning and Shenango reservoirs. The Iroquois name Shenango, “the beautiful one,” perfectly describes this stretch of river.

    The upper Shenango River has high biodiversity, supporting many species of fish, freshwater mussels and the state amphibian, the eastern hellbender. Some of the mussel species are endangered, and the round hickorynut mussel, which no longer exists in any other Pennsylvania stream, is still in the Shenango. Fish include smallmouth bass and walleye.

    While the water is smooth with occasional riffles, paddlers may encounter downed trees and log jams. Several put-in and take-out sites are available. The scenery is gorgeous, with abundant wildlife. Forested floodplains along the lower nine miles are protected by a federal flood easement, which maintains their wild character.

    The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s Canoe Access Development Fund has improved access to the region’s rivers and streams by assisting in the creation or improvement of 70 public access sites across western Pennsylvania, including three along the Shenango. This fund was created in 2008 and is sustained through generous gifts from Pittsburghers Roy Weil and Mary Shaw, authors of “Canoeing Guide to Western Pennsylvania and Northern West Virginia,” which is the best source of information for exploring our region’s streams. If you are planning a trip down the Shenango, also consult the Shenango River Watchers at shenangoriverwatchers.org.

    For more information about the Conservancy’s canoe access sites, please visit WaterLandLife.org or call 412-288-2777.

    Categories: Nature
    Tags: Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
    Thomas Saunders

    Thomas D. Saunders is president and CEO of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving the region’s exceptional places.

    Related Articles

    Celebrating Spring in Penns Creek Wild Area

    by Thomas Saunders

    Exploring the Appalachian Shale Barren

    by Thomas Saunders

    A Walk in the Northern Woods

    by Thomas Saunders

    Other Articles in This Series

    Don’t miss a story from PQ.

    Get Pittsburgh’s No. 1 magazine in your mailbox.

    Subscribe

    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Subscribe
    • Privacy Policy
    • Where to Buy
    • Sign Up for Newsletter
      © 2023 Pittsburgh Quarterly Magazine — All Rights Reserved

      Designed and Developed by Apple Box Studios

      Top
      • Pittsburgh Today
        • Regional News
        • Spotlight
        • The Pulse
        • Indicators
        • Regional Annual Report
        • Special Reports
        • Sustainability Watch
        • Pittsburgh Tomorrow Podcast
        • Contest Ideas
        • About Pittsburgh Today
      • Money
        • Business
        • Money
        • Innovation
        • Retirement
        • Creative Capital
      • Nonprofits
        • Leadership
        • Region
        • Nonprofits
        • Education
        • Environment
        • Events
      • People
        • Profiles
        • Obituaries
        • Arrivals
        • American Spirit
      • Home/Lifestyle
        • Homes
        • Travel
        • Food & Wine
        • Restaurant Reviews
        • Shopping
      • Culture
        • Arts
        • Books
        • Opinion
        • Architecture & Neighborhoods
        • PQ Poem
        • History
        • Calendar
      • Health
        • Health
        • Science
      • Sports/Outdoors
        • Sports
        • Birds
        • Nature
      • Pittsburgh Today
        ▼
        • Regional News
        • Spotlight
        • The Pulse
        • Indicators
        • Regional Annual Report
        • Special Reports
        • Sustainability Watch
        • Pittsburgh Tomorrow Podcast
        • Contest Ideas
        • About Pittsburgh Today
      • Money
        ▼
        • Business
        • Money
        • Innovation
        • Retirement
        • Creative Capital
      • Nonprofits
        ▼
        • Leadership
        • Region
        • Nonprofits
        • Education
        • Environment
        • Events
      • People
        ▼
        • Profiles
        • Obituaries
        • Arrivals
        • American Spirit
      • Home/Lifestyle
        ▼
        • Homes
        • Travel
        • Food & Wine
        • Restaurant Reviews
        • Shopping
      • Culture
        ▼
        • Arts
        • Books
        • Opinion
        • Architecture & Neighborhoods
        • PQ Poem
        • History
        • Calendar
      • Health
        ▼
        • Health
        • Science
      • Sports/Outdoors
        ▼
        • Sports
        • Birds
        • Nature
      Responsive Menu
      Add more content here...
      • Pittsburgh Today
        ▼
        • Regional News
        • Spotlight
        • The Pulse
        • Indicators
        • Regional Annual Report
        • Special Reports
        • Sustainability Watch
        • Pittsburgh Tomorrow Podcast
        • Contest Ideas
        • About Pittsburgh Today
      • Money
        ▼
        • Business
        • Money
        • Innovation
        • Retirement
        • Creative Capital
      • Nonprofits
        ▼
        • Leadership
        • Region
        • Nonprofits
        • Education
        • Environment
        • Events
      • People
        ▼
        • Profiles
        • Obituaries
        • Arrivals
        • American Spirit
      • Home/Lifestyle
        ▼
        • Homes
        • Travel
        • Food & Wine
        • Restaurant Reviews
        • Shopping
      • Culture
        ▼
        • Arts
        • Books
        • Opinion
        • Architecture & Neighborhoods
        • PQ Poem
        • History
        • Calendar
      • Health
        ▼
        • Health
        • Science
      • Sports/Outdoors
        ▼
        • Sports
        • Birds
        • Nature
      Responsive Menu
      Add more content here...
      • Pittsburgh Today
        ▼
        • Regional News
        • Spotlight
        • The Pulse
        • Indicators
        • Regional Annual Report
        • Special Reports
        • Sustainability Watch
        • Pittsburgh Tomorrow Podcast
        • Contest Ideas
        • About Pittsburgh Today
      • Money
        ▼
        • Business
        • Money
        • Innovation
        • Retirement
        • Creative Capital
      • Nonprofits
        ▼
        • Leadership
        • Region
        • Nonprofits
        • Education
        • Environment
        • Events
      • People
        ▼
        • Profiles
        • Obituaries
        • Arrivals
        • American Spirit
      • Home/Lifestyle
        ▼
        • Homes
        • Travel
        • Food & Wine
        • Restaurant Reviews
        • Shopping
      • Culture
        ▼
        • Arts
        • Books
        • Opinion
        • Architecture & Neighborhoods
        • PQ Poem
        • History
        • Calendar
      • Health
        ▼
        • Health
        • Science
      • Sports/Outdoors
        ▼
        • Sports
        • Birds
        • Nature
      Responsive Menu
      Add more content here...
      • Pittsburgh Today
        ▼
        • Regional News
        • Spotlight
        • The Pulse
        • Indicators
        • Regional Annual Report
        • Special Reports
        • Sustainability Watch
        • Pittsburgh Tomorrow Podcast
        • Contest Ideas
        • About Pittsburgh Today
      • Money
        ▼
        • Business
        • Money
        • Innovation
        • Retirement
        • Creative Capital
      • Nonprofits
        ▼
        • Leadership
        • Region
        • Nonprofits
        • Education
        • Environment
        • Events
      • People
        ▼
        • Profiles
        • Obituaries
        • Arrivals
        • American Spirit
      • Home/Lifestyle
        ▼
        • Homes
        • Travel
        • Food & Wine
        • Restaurant Reviews
        • Shopping
      • Culture
        ▼
        • Arts
        • Books
        • Opinion
        • Architecture & Neighborhoods
        • PQ Poem
        • History
        • Calendar
      • Health
        ▼
        • Health
        • Science
      • Sports/Outdoors
        ▼
        • Sports
        • Birds
        • Nature
      Responsive Menu
      Add more content here...
      • Pittsburgh Today
        ▼
        • Regional News
        • Spotlight
        • The Pulse
        • Indicators
        • Regional Annual Report
        • Special Reports
        • Sustainability Watch
        • Pittsburgh Tomorrow Podcast
        • Contest Ideas
        • About Pittsburgh Today
      • Money
        ▼
        • Business
        • Money
        • Innovation
        • Retirement
        • Creative Capital
      • Nonprofits
        ▼
        • Leadership
        • Region
        • Nonprofits
        • Education
        • Environment
        • Events
      • People
        ▼
        • Profiles
        • Obituaries
        • Arrivals
        • American Spirit
      • Home/Lifestyle
        ▼
        • Homes
        • Travel
        • Food & Wine
        • Restaurant Reviews
        • Shopping
      • Culture
        ▼
        • Arts
        • Books
        • Opinion
        • Architecture & Neighborhoods
        • PQ Poem
        • History
        • Calendar
      • Health
        ▼
        • Health
        • Science
      • Sports/Outdoors
        ▼
        • Sports
        • Birds
        • Nature
      Responsive Menu
      Add more content here...
      • Pittsburgh Today
        ▼
        • Regional News
        • Spotlight
        • The Pulse
        • Indicators
        • Regional Annual Report
        • Special Reports
        • Sustainability Watch
        • Pittsburgh Tomorrow Podcast
        • Contest Ideas
        • About Pittsburgh Today
      • Money
        ▼
        • Business
        • Money
        • Innovation
        • Retirement
        • Creative Capital
      • Nonprofits
        ▼
        • Leadership
        • Region
        • Nonprofits
        • Education
        • Environment
        • Events
      • People
        ▼
        • Profiles
        • Obituaries
        • Arrivals
        • American Spirit
      • Home/Lifestyle
        ▼
        • Homes
        • Travel
        • Food & Wine
        • Restaurant Reviews
        • Shopping
      • Culture
        ▼
        • Arts
        • Books
        • Opinion
        • Architecture & Neighborhoods
        • PQ Poem
        • History
        • Calendar
      • Health
        ▼
        • Health
        • Science
      • Sports/Outdoors
        ▼
        • Sports
        • Birds
        • Nature
      Responsive Menu
      Add more content here...
      • Pittsburgh Today
        ▼
        • Regional News
        • Spotlight
        • The Pulse
        • Indicators
        • Regional Annual Report
        • Special Reports
        • Sustainability Watch
        • Pittsburgh Tomorrow Podcast
        • Contest Ideas
        • About Pittsburgh Today
      • Money
        ▼
        • Business
        • Money
        • Innovation
        • Retirement
        • Creative Capital
      • Nonprofits
        ▼
        • Leadership
        • Region
        • Nonprofits
        • Education
        • Environment
        • Events
      • People
        ▼
        • Profiles
        • Obituaries
        • Arrivals
        • American Spirit
      • Home/Lifestyle
        ▼
        • Homes
        • Travel
        • Food & Wine
        • Restaurant Reviews
        • Shopping
      • Culture
        ▼
        • Arts
        • Books
        • Opinion
        • Architecture & Neighborhoods
        • PQ Poem
        • History
        • Calendar
      • Health
        ▼
        • Health
        • Science
      • Sports/Outdoors
        ▼
        • Sports
        • Birds
        • Nature
      Responsive Menu
      Add more content here...
      • Pittsburgh Today
        ▼
        • Regional News
        • Spotlight
        • The Pulse
        • Indicators
        • Regional Annual Report
        • Special Reports
        • Sustainability Watch
        • Pittsburgh Tomorrow Podcast
        • Contest Ideas
        • About Pittsburgh Today
      • Money
        ▼
        • Business
        • Money
        • Innovation
        • Retirement
        • Creative Capital
      • Nonprofits
        ▼
        • Leadership
        • Region
        • Nonprofits
        • Education
        • Environment
        • Events
      • People
        ▼
        • Profiles
        • Obituaries
        • Arrivals
        • American Spirit
      • Home/Lifestyle
        ▼
        • Homes
        • Travel
        • Food & Wine
        • Restaurant Reviews
        • Shopping
      • Culture
        ▼
        • Arts
        • Books
        • Opinion
        • Architecture & Neighborhoods
        • PQ Poem
        • History
        • Calendar
      • Health
        ▼
        • Health
        • Science
      • Sports/Outdoors
        ▼
        • Sports
        • Birds
        • Nature
      Responsive Menu
      Add more content here...
      • Pittsburgh Today
        ▼
        • Regional News
        • Spotlight
        • The Pulse
        • Indicators
        • Regional Annual Report
        • Special Reports
        • Sustainability Watch
        • Pittsburgh Tomorrow Podcast
        • Contest Ideas
        • About Pittsburgh Today
      • Money
        ▼
        • Business
        • Money
        • Innovation
        • Retirement
        • Creative Capital
      • Nonprofits
        ▼
        • Leadership
        • Region
        • Nonprofits
        • Education
        • Environment
        • Events
      • People
        ▼
        • Profiles
        • Obituaries
        • Arrivals
        • American Spirit
      • Home/Lifestyle
        ▼
        • Homes
        • Travel
        • Food & Wine
        • Restaurant Reviews
        • Shopping
      • Culture
        ▼
        • Arts
        • Books
        • Opinion
        • Architecture & Neighborhoods
        • PQ Poem
        • History
        • Calendar
      • Health
        ▼
        • Health
        • Science
      • Sports/Outdoors
        ▼
        • Sports
        • Birds
        • Nature
      Responsive Menu
      Add more content here...
      • Pittsburgh Today
        ▼
        • Regional News
        • Spotlight
        • The Pulse
        • Indicators
        • Regional Annual Report
        • Special Reports
        • Sustainability Watch
        • Pittsburgh Tomorrow Podcast
        • Contest Ideas
        • About Pittsburgh Today
      • Money
        ▼
        • Business
        • Money
        • Innovation
        • Retirement
        • Creative Capital
      • Nonprofits
        ▼
        • Leadership
        • Region
        • Nonprofits
        • Education
        • Environment
        • Events
      • People
        ▼
        • Profiles
        • Obituaries
        • Arrivals
        • American Spirit
      • Home/Lifestyle
        ▼
        • Homes
        • Travel
        • Food & Wine
        • Restaurant Reviews
        • Shopping
      • Culture
        ▼
        • Arts
        • Books
        • Opinion
        • Architecture & Neighborhoods
        • PQ Poem
        • History
        • Calendar
      • Health
        ▼
        • Health
        • Science
      • Sports/Outdoors
        ▼
        • Sports
        • Birds
        • Nature
      Responsive Menu
      Add more content here...
      • Pittsburgh Today
        ▼
        • Regional News
        • Spotlight
        • The Pulse
        • Indicators
        • Regional Annual Report
        • Special Reports
        • Sustainability Watch
        • Pittsburgh Tomorrow Podcast
        • Contest Ideas
        • About Pittsburgh Today
      • Money
        ▼
        • Business
        • Money
        • Innovation
        • Retirement
        • Creative Capital
      • Nonprofits
        ▼
        • Leadership
        • Region
        • Nonprofits
        • Education
        • Environment
        • Events
      • People
        ▼
        • Profiles
        • Obituaries
        • Arrivals
        • American Spirit
      • Home/Lifestyle
        ▼
        • Homes
        • Travel
        • Food & Wine
        • Restaurant Reviews
        • Shopping
      • Culture
        ▼
        • Arts
        • Books
        • Opinion
        • Architecture & Neighborhoods
        • PQ Poem
        • History
        • Calendar
      • Health
        ▼
        • Health
        • Science
      • Sports/Outdoors
        ▼
        • Sports
        • Birds
        • Nature
      Responsive Menu
      Add more content here...
      • Pittsburgh Today
        ▼
        • Regional News
        • Spotlight
        • The Pulse
        • Indicators
        • Regional Annual Report
        • Special Reports
        • Sustainability Watch
        • Pittsburgh Tomorrow Podcast
        • Contest Ideas
        • About Pittsburgh Today
      • Money
        ▼
        • Business
        • Money
        • Innovation
        • Retirement
        • Creative Capital
      • Nonprofits
        ▼
        • Leadership
        • Region
        • Nonprofits
        • Education
        • Environment
        • Events
      • People
        ▼
        • Profiles
        • Obituaries
        • Arrivals
        • American Spirit
      • Home/Lifestyle
        ▼
        • Homes
        • Travel
        • Food & Wine
        • Restaurant Reviews
        • Shopping
      • Culture
        ▼
        • Arts
        • Books
        • Opinion
        • Architecture & Neighborhoods
        • PQ Poem
        • History
        • Calendar
      • Health
        ▼
        • Health
        • Science
      • Sports/Outdoors
        ▼
        • Sports
        • Birds
        • Nature
      Responsive Menu
      Add more content here...
      • Pittsburgh Today
        ▼
        • Regional News
        • Spotlight
        • The Pulse
        • Indicators
        • Regional Annual Report
        • Special Reports
        • Sustainability Watch
        • Pittsburgh Tomorrow Podcast
        • Contest Ideas
        • About Pittsburgh Today
      • Money
        ▼
        • Business
        • Money
        • Innovation
        • Retirement
        • Creative Capital
      • Nonprofits
        ▼
        • Leadership
        • Region
        • Nonprofits
        • Education
        • Environment
        • Events
      • People
        ▼
        • Profiles
        • Obituaries
        • Arrivals
        • American Spirit
      • Home/Lifestyle
        ▼
        • Homes
        • Travel
        • Food & Wine
        • Restaurant Reviews
        • Shopping
      • Culture
        ▼
        • Arts
        • Books
        • Opinion
        • Architecture & Neighborhoods
        • PQ Poem
        • History
        • Calendar
      • Health
        ▼
        • Health
        • Science
      • Sports/Outdoors
        ▼
        • Sports
        • Birds
        • Nature
      Responsive Menu
      Add more content here...
      • Pittsburgh Today
        ▼
        • Regional News
        • Spotlight
        • The Pulse
        • Indicators
        • Regional Annual Report
        • Special Reports
        • Sustainability Watch
        • Pittsburgh Tomorrow Podcast
        • Contest Ideas
        • About Pittsburgh Today
      • Money
        ▼
        • Business
        • Money
        • Innovation
        • Retirement
        • Creative Capital
      • Nonprofits
        ▼
        • Leadership
        • Region
        • Nonprofits
        • Education
        • Environment
        • Events
      • People
        ▼
        • Profiles
        • Obituaries
        • Arrivals
        • American Spirit
      • Home/Lifestyle
        ▼
        • Homes
        • Travel
        • Food & Wine
        • Restaurant Reviews
        • Shopping
      • Culture
        ▼
        • Arts
        • Books
        • Opinion
        • Architecture & Neighborhoods
        • PQ Poem
        • History
        • Calendar
      • Health
        ▼
        • Health
        • Science
      • Sports/Outdoors
        ▼
        • Sports
        • Birds
        • Nature
      Responsive Menu
      Add more content here...
      • Pittsburgh Today
        ▼
        • Regional News
        • Spotlight
        • The Pulse
        • Indicators
        • Regional Annual Report
        • Special Reports
        • Sustainability Watch
        • Pittsburgh Tomorrow Podcast
        • Contest Ideas
        • About Pittsburgh Today
      • Money
        ▼
        • Business
        • Money
        • Innovation
        • Retirement
        • Creative Capital
      • Nonprofits
        ▼
        • Leadership
        • Region
        • Nonprofits
        • Education
        • Environment
        • Events
      • People
        ▼
        • Profiles
        • Obituaries
        • Arrivals
        • American Spirit
      • Home/Lifestyle
        ▼
        • Homes
        • Travel
        • Food & Wine
        • Restaurant Reviews
        • Shopping
      • Culture
        ▼
        • Arts
        • Books
        • Opinion
        • Architecture & Neighborhoods
        • PQ Poem
        • History
        • Calendar
      • Health
        ▼
        • Health
        • Science
      • Sports/Outdoors
        ▼
        • Sports
        • Birds
        • Nature
      Responsive Menu
      Add more content here...
      • Pittsburgh Today
        ▼
        • Regional News
        • Spotlight
        • The Pulse
        • Indicators
        • Regional Annual Report
        • Special Reports
        • Sustainability Watch
        • Pittsburgh Tomorrow Podcast
        • Contest Ideas
        • About Pittsburgh Today
      • Money
        ▼
        • Business
        • Money
        • Innovation
        • Retirement
        • Creative Capital
      • Nonprofits
        ▼
        • Leadership
        • Region
        • Nonprofits
        • Education
        • Environment
        • Events
      • People
        ▼
        • Profiles
        • Obituaries
        • Arrivals
        • American Spirit
      • Home/Lifestyle
        ▼
        • Homes
        • Travel
        • Food & Wine
        • Restaurant Reviews
        • Shopping
      • Culture
        ▼
        • Arts
        • Books
        • Opinion
        • Architecture & Neighborhoods
        • PQ Poem
        • History
        • Calendar
      • Health
        ▼
        • Health
        • Science
      • Sports/Outdoors
        ▼
        • Sports
        • Birds
        • Nature
      Responsive Menu
      Add more content here...
      • Pittsburgh Today
        ▼
        • Regional News
        • Spotlight
        • The Pulse
        • Indicators
        • Regional Annual Report
        • Special Reports
        • Sustainability Watch
        • Pittsburgh Tomorrow Podcast
        • Contest Ideas
        • About Pittsburgh Today
      • Money
        ▼
        • Business
        • Money
        • Innovation
        • Retirement
        • Creative Capital
      • Nonprofits
        ▼
        • Leadership
        • Region
        • Nonprofits
        • Education
        • Environment
        • Events
      • People
        ▼
        • Profiles
        • Obituaries
        • Arrivals
        • American Spirit
      • Home/Lifestyle
        ▼
        • Homes
        • Travel
        • Food & Wine
        • Restaurant Reviews
        • Shopping
      • Culture
        ▼
        • Arts
        • Books
        • Opinion
        • Architecture & Neighborhoods
        • PQ Poem
        • History
        • Calendar
      • Health
        ▼
        • Health
        • Science
      • Sports/Outdoors
        ▼
        • Sports
        • Birds
        • Nature
      Responsive Menu
      Add more content here...
      • Pittsburgh Today
        ▼
        • Regional News
        • Spotlight
        • The Pulse
        • Indicators
        • Regional Annual Report
        • Special Reports
        • Sustainability Watch
        • Pittsburgh Tomorrow Podcast
        • Contest Ideas
        • About Pittsburgh Today
      • Money
        ▼
        • Business
        • Money
        • Innovation
        • Retirement
        • Creative Capital
      • Nonprofits
        ▼
        • Leadership
        • Region
        • Nonprofits
        • Education
        • Environment
        • Events
      • People
        ▼
        • Profiles
        • Obituaries
        • Arrivals
        • American Spirit
      • Home/Lifestyle
        ▼
        • Homes
        • Travel
        • Food & Wine
        • Restaurant Reviews
        • Shopping
      • Culture
        ▼
        • Arts
        • Books
        • Opinion
        • Architecture & Neighborhoods
        • PQ Poem
        • History
        • Calendar
      • Health
        ▼
        • Health
        • Science