Misplaced Pages

#725274

42-569: Known as "Roaring Plains West" to the advocates of a much larger area (15,138 acres) of proposed wilderness preservation, the RPW consists of 6,820 acres (27.6 km) set aside by the Wild Monongahela Act , which was made law on 30 March 2009. (There are also areas known as "Roaring Plains North" and "Roaring Plains East" not included in the WMA.) Along with neighboring Flatrock Plains , these areas comprise

84-576: A household in the county was $ 27,299, and the median income for a family was $ 32,632. Males had a median income of $ 24,751 versus $ 17,819 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 14,918. About 13.40% of families and 18.00% of the population were below the poverty line , including 24.30% of those under age 18 and 12.90% of those age 65 or over. Monongahela River The Monongahela River ( / m ə ˌ n ɒ ŋ ɡ ə ˈ h iː l ə / mə- NONG -gə- HEE -lə , /- ˈ h eɪ -/ -⁠ HAY - ), sometimes referred to locally as

126-762: A party of Native Americans traveling the Shawnee Trail discovered the Foyle cabin and killed seven members of the family. One son escaped and alerted the Tygart family, allowing all to escape. (The Tygart-Foyle settlements were the first European settlements attempted anywhere within the Monongahela River watershed in present-day West Virginia.) No other European settlement was attempted in present Randolph County until 1772. Thomas Skidmore ( ca. 1733–1807), born in Maryland, obtained

168-454: A series of locks and dams that makes it navigable. The Unami word Monongahela means "falling banks", in reference to the geological instability of the river's banks. Moravian missionary David Zeisberger (1721–1808) gave this account of the naming: "In the Indian tongue the name of this river was Mechmenawungihilla (alternatively spelled Menawngihella ), which signifies a high bank, which

210-465: A title to 400 acres of land (“by virtue of a settlement”) in the future Elkins area before 1778. This land, on the east side of the Tygart Valley River , was surveyed by John Poage in 1780 and included the land that is now most of downtown Elkins. Thus, Skidmore was probably the first European settler in what became Elkins. When Randolph County, Virginia ( now West Virginia ) was created out of

252-433: Is ever washed out and therefore collapses." The Lenape Language Project renders the word as Mënaonkihëla (pronounced [mənaoŋɡihəla] ), translated "where banks cave in or erode", from the verbs mënaonkihële "the dirt caves off" (such as the bank of a river or creek, or in a landslide) and mënaonke (pronounced [mənaoŋɡe] ), "it has a loose bank" (where one might fall in). Monongalia County and

294-537: Is formed by the confluence of the West Fork River and its "east fork"—the Tygart Valley River —at Fairmont in north central West Virginia. From there it flows northeasterly to cross the Pennsylvania border just west of north Cheat Lake on its Cheat River tributary. Then it flows northerly across southwestern Pennsylvania, taking a bit of a detour northeast 10 miles south of Pittsburgh to approach Pittsburgh from

336-570: Is navigable its entire length with a series of locks and dams that maintain a minimum depth of 9 feet (2.7 m) to accommodate coal-laden barges. All dams are operated by the Pittsburgh District Army Corps of Engineers. In 2006, the navigation system, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers , had nine dam-locks along 128.7 miles (207.1 km) of waterway. The locks overcame a change in elevation of about 147 feet (44.8 m). The locks and dam at Elizabeth will be removed by

378-586: Is of a very rugged plateau type which allows streams to gather sufficient water volume before they fall off the plateau and create challenging rapids. Some of the best known specific stream locations for this include: The Monongahela River valley was the site of a famous battle that was one of the first in the French and Indian War —the Braddock Expedition (May–July 1755). It resulted in a sharp defeat for two thousand British and Colonial forces against those of

420-540: Is water. It is the largest county in West Virginia by area. As of the 2020 census , there were 27,932 people and 10,065 households residing in the county. There were 13,035 housing units in Randolph county. The racial makeup of the county was 93.6% White , 1.6% African American , 0.4% Asian , 0.2% Native American , 0.5% from other races , and 3.8% from two or more races . Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1.1% of

462-492: The 2000 census , there were 28,262 people, 11,072 households, and 7,661 families living in the county. The population density was 27 people per square mile (10 people/km ). There were 13,478 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5.0/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 97.69% White , 1.07% Black or African American , 0.16% Native American , 0.38% Asian , 0.01% Pacific Islander , 0.16% from other races , and 0.53% from two or more races. 0.68% of

SECTION 10

#1732851641726

504-810: The Edgar Thomson Works in Braddock , the first steel works in the area, the Duquesne Works and the Jones and Laughlin steel works on the South Side of Pittsburgh. Only the Edgar Thomson works remain producing steel along the river. Despite the closure of many of the mills in the 1980s and 90s, the Monogahela is still an important waterway for industry. The Mon Valley Works of U.S. Steel operates three plants, including

546-550: The French and their Native American allies. In 1817, the Pennsylvania legislature authorized the Monongahela Navigation Company to build 16 dams with bypass locks to create a river transportation system between Pittsburgh and the area that would later become West Virginia . Originally planned to run as far south as the Cheat River , the system was extended to Fairmont, and bituminous coal from West Virginia

588-609: The Saint Lawrence River watershed. One (or more) extensive ice sheet advance dammed the old north-flowing drainage and created a vast lake—known as Lake Monongahela —stretching from an unknown point north of present-day Beaver, Pennsylvania for ~200 miles (320 km) south to Weston, West Virginia . A river-lake with many narrow bays, its maximum water surface rose to 1,100 feet (340 m) above sea level. Over 200 feet (61 m) deep in places, its southwestward overflow gradually incised old drainage divides and contributed to

630-499: The 1870s: Clark became Valley Bend, Clay became New Interest, Green became Leadsville, Mingo Flats was abbreviated to Mingo, Reynolds became Huttonsville, Scott became Roaring Creek, and Union became Middle Fork. According to the United States Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 1,040 square miles (2,700 km ), of which 1,040 square miles (2,700 km ) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km ) (0.03%)

672-604: The Edgar Thomson plant for basic steel marking, the Irvin plant for steel finishing, and the Clairton plant for coke production. Coal barges are a common sight on the river, and the railways which line either side are heavily used by freight. Other industries include power generation, chemicals, and recycling. Three ships in the United States Navy have been named Monongahela after the river. In October 1930, severe drought caused

714-522: The Elkins, West Virginia, Micropolitan Statistical Area . The first attempt by Europeans to settle in present-day Randolph County came in 1752 or '53 when David Tygart — for whom the Tygart Valley River was named — and Robert Foyle (later called Files) located (separately) with their families in the vicinity of present-day Beverly . Although there had been no recent history of conflicts between Europeans and Native Americans in that immediate area, that summer

756-643: The Mon ( / m ɒ n / ), is a 130-mile-long (210 km) river on the Allegheny Plateau in north-central West Virginia and Southwestern Pennsylvania . The river flows from the confluence of its west and east forks in north-central West Virginia northeasterly into southwestern Pennsylvania, then northerly to Pittsburgh and its confluence with the Allegheny River to form the Ohio River . The river includes

798-809: The Ohio River. It falls 280 feet from its forks to its mouth, a stretch made navigable by locks. The mean depth is about 20 ft. In southwestern Pennsylvania, the Monongahela is met by two major tributaries : the Cheat River , which joins at Point Marion , and the Youghiogheny River , which joins at McKeesport . Major tributaries include: Becks Run , Big Sandy Creek , Buffalo Creek , Cheat River , Crooked Run , Deckers Creek , Dunkard Creek , Lick Run , Middle Fork River , Paw Paw Creek , Peters Creek , Streets Run , Turtle Creek , Tygart Valley River , West Fork River , Youghiogheny River . The river

840-473: The RPW consists of a mesic habitat with red spruce , mixed hardwoods and open brush terrain. Extensive and virtually impenetrable mountain laurel and rhododendron thickets are also present. (The former bloom spectacularly in late June with pink and white blossoms.) The seven known high-elevation wetlands (sphagnum bogs) provide habitat to rare plants and animals such as the snowshoe hare , bog lemming , bobcat and fisher . The area provides protection to

882-569: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Work will commence in 2024. Afterwards 30 miles of the river between Charleroi and Braddock will be free flowing. According to the EPA's Toxics Release Inventory for 2010, the Monongahela ranked as the 17th most polluted river in the nation. The primary polluters were Pennsylvania iron and steel mills. The upper drainage area of the river basin is renowned for its water sports/hobbies of whitewater kayaking (and in some cases whitewater rafting ) opportunities. The land here

SECTION 20

#1732851641726

924-460: The area annually, affording opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing . Snow typically falls from early October into early May. Blizzard conditions can frequent the high ground above 4,000 feet from November into April making travel perilous at times. About 5.5 square miles (14 square km) lie at or above the 4,500 foot contour, making this the largest and highest flat-topped plateau in eastern North America. The dominant vegetation in

966-581: The area includes the Allegheny Front , the name for the Eastern Continental Divide in this area. The bogs serve to regulate stream flow at the headwaters for both sides of the Front. Recreational trails provide loops within the area as well as connecting to Red Creek Plains, Dolly Sods Wilderness and even further north to Canaan Valley . An average of 180 inches (15 ft) of snow falls on

1008-551: The dam-lock combinations were increased in size and reduced in number. Briefly linked to the Monongahela Navigation was the Youghiogheny Navigation, a slack water system of 18.5 miles (29.8 km) between McKeesport and West Newton . It had two dam-locks overcoming a change in elevation of about 27 feet (8.2 m). Opening in 1850, it was destroyed by a flood in 1865. During the 19th century and well into

1050-439: The federally threatened Cheat Mountain salamander . Deer , turkey , black bear and other native animals are abundant. Randolph County, West Virginia Randolph County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia . As of the 2020 census , the population was 27,932. Its county seat is Elkins . The county was founded in 1787 and is named for Edmund Jennings Randolph . Randolph County comprises

1092-582: The geological development of the present-day upper Ohio River Valley . Via the Ohio River, the river is part of the Mississippi watershed which drains to the Gulf of Mexico on the Atlantic Ocean. The river's length is 130 miles, its drainage basin is 7,340 sq.mi. and the average 30-year discharge at Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, is 9,109 cfs. It falls 3,831 ft. in elevation from its highest source to its mouth on

1134-466: The highest plateau in the eastern United States. The Roaring Plains and Flatrock Plains areas include portions of Randolph and Pendleton Counties. These high-elevation plateaux, which encompass the highest sphagnum bogs in West Virginia, consist of vast expanses of rocky, tree-studded plains surrounded by rock outcrops and cliffs offering impressive views of the surrounding mountain ridges. Elevations range from 2,360 to 4,770 feet (1,450 m) and

1176-405: The new state's counties were divided into civil townships , with the intention of encouraging local government. This proved impractical in the heavily rural state, and in 1872 the townships were converted into magisterial districts . Randolph County was divided into nine districts: Beverly, Clarke, Clay, Dry Fork, Green, Mingo Flats, Reynolds, Scott, and Union. Several of these were renamed during

1218-442: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 11,072 households, out of which 29.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.70% were married couples living together, 9.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size

1260-402: The population. There were 10,065 households, of which 44.8% were married couples living together, 30.2% had a female householder with no spouse present, 19% had a male householder with no spouse present.The average household and family size was 3.36. The median age in the county was 44.7 years with 19% of the population being under 18. The median income for a household in the city was $ 47,343 and

1302-444: The population. In terms of ancestry, 26.3% were German , 15.9% were Irish , 12.0% were English , 10.2% were American , and 5.4% were Italian . Of the 11,695 households, 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.7% were non-families, and 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size

Roaring Plains West Wilderness - Misplaced Pages Continue

1344-539: The poverty rate was 15.2% As of the 2010 United States census , there were 29,405 people, 11,695 households, and 7,753 families living in the county. The population density was 28.3 inhabitants per square mile (10.9/km ). There were 14,189 housing units at an average density of 13.6 per square mile (5.3/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 97.3% white, 1.2% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.7% of

1386-476: The river flow to drop below 10 cu ft/s (280 L/s), and in some places, it was possible to walk across the river bottom. The river was the site of a famous airplane crash that has become the subject of urban legends and conspiracy theories . Early on the morning of January 31, 1956, a B-25 bomber en route from Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada to Olmsted Air Force Base in Pennsylvania crashed into

1428-519: The river near the Glenwood Bridge in Homestead, Pennsylvania . The six crewmen survived the initial crash, but two of them succumbed in the cold water and drowned. Despite the relatively shallow water, the aircraft was never recovered and became known as the "ghost bomber". The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published a graphical representation of the flight path and flight details in 1999. As of 2018,

1470-634: The southeast and its confluence with the Allegheny River to form the Forks of the Ohio at "The Point" of Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh . Prior to early Pleistocene regional glaciation, more than 780,000 years ago, the ancestral Monongahela River (a.k.a. the Pittsburgh River) flowed northward from present-day north-central West Virginia, across western Pennsylvania and northwestern Ohio, and into

1512-461: The town of Monongah , both in West Virginia, are named for the river, as is the city of Monongahela in Pennsylvania. (The name "Monongalia" is either a Latinized adaptation of "Monongahela" or simply a variant spelling.) The USGS name for the river is the Monongahela River; there have been numerous alternate names, alternate spellings and misspellings in historical texts. The Monongahela

1554-541: The twentieth, the Monongahela was heavily used by industry , and several U.S. Steel plants, including the Homestead Works, site of the Homestead Strike of 1892, were built along its banks. Following the killing of several workers in the course of the strike, anarchist Emma Goldman wrote: "Words had lost their meaning in the face of the innocent blood spilled on the banks of the Monongahela." Other mills included

1596-493: The vast Harrison County on October 16, 1787, it included not only present-day Randolph County, but parts of what are now eight other counties. It took its name from the surname of the then Governor of Virginia . The name of the new county seat, originally Randolph Court House, or Edmundton (the latter from the Governor's given name), was changed to Beverly by 1790. Beverly remained the county seat until 1890 when county government

1638-468: Was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.81. The median age was 43.4 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 36,176 and the median income for a family was $ 47,071. Males had a median income of $ 34,903 versus $ 25,988 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 18,472. About 12.7% of families and 17.1% of the population were below the poverty line , including 26.1% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over. As of

1680-401: Was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.89. In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.30% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 101.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.70 males. The median income for

1722-696: Was moved to Elkins . Minor actions of the American Civil War which took place in Randolph County include the Battle of Rich Mountain and a part of the Battle of Cheat Mountain , both in 1861. These operations came in the course of the Western Virginia Campaign . Randolph was one of fifty Virginia counties that were admitted to the Union as the state of West Virginia on June 20, 1863. Later that year,

Roaring Plains West Wilderness - Misplaced Pages Continue

1764-594: Was the chief product transported downstream. After a canal tunnel through Grant's Hill in Pittsburgh was completed in 1832, boats could travel between the Monongahela River and the Western Division Canal of Pennsylvania's principal east–west canal and railroad system, the Main Line of Public Works . In 1897, the federal government took possession of the Monongahela Navigation through condemnation proceedings. Later,

#725274