The Rapid Descent of the Bear Run Watershed

From Laurel Ridge through Bear Run Nature Reserve and Fallingwater to the Youghiogheny River, the Bear Run watershed spans 1,570 feel in elevation.

Since 1963 roughly 5,000-acre of this watershed (the Bear Run Nature Reserve) has been owned and protected by Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. The almost entirely forested watershed lies along the west slope of Laurel Ridge, facing the spectacular Youghiogheny River gorge. The waters of Bear Run cascade through rhododendrons, past mature hemlocks, and over rocks and boulders producing a spectacular array of rapids and waterfalls. More than 20 miles of marked trails traverse the Bear Run Nature and join many miles of other regional trails. The grounds of Fallingwater are part of the reserve and the world-famous Frank Lloyd Wright structure is intimately a part of Bear Run itself as the stream passes directly under the house.

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

Sign Up for WPC Daily

This holiday season, give someone you care about the opportunity to save the places we care about with a Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Membership (Yearly memberships start at 25 dollars).

The Fallingwater Museum Shop has more than 200 unique holiday gift ideas in our online catalog.

The votes have been tallied - View the new winning WPC Daily (Makes a great screen wallpaper/calendar for December)