An ice jam on the Allegheny

The French named the Allegheny and Ohio rivers, which they considered as one river, La Belle Riviere -- The Beautiful River.

The Allegheny River begins as a spring in a farmer's field off of State Route 49, a couple of miles east of the little town of Colesburg, Pennsylvania, and nine miles from Coudersport, Pennsylvania, in the upper Appalachian Mountains of northern Potter County. A roadside marker erected by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission marks the spot.

The ice jams which occur along the Allegheny may result in sudden flooding, particularly in areas where the river widens, and tends to be shallow. Telltale excoriations on tree trunks and boulders can mark the periodic occurrence of this phenomena, which is accompanied by the release of substantial physical force as jams break free and ice floes are released.

During some spring thaws the massive ice jams push so far down the Ohio that noticeable chunks reached the Mississippi River.

With a noticable focus in the middle reach of the Alegheny River (Warren, Forest and Venango Counties), WPC has protected thousands of acres of shoreline, slopes, islands and tributary valleys. This significant river has been a WPC focus since the 1970s.

Today's photo was taken by WPC Volunteer photographer John M. Karian who does nature photography in Venango County.

Reference: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Pittsburgh District.

Help WPC achieve its mission.

E-mail Today's WPC Daily to a Friend!

Sign Up for WPC Daily