The lack of rainfall statewide has created some unique circumstances.
Seawater in the Delaware River. Exposure of a Fayette County bridge not seen in 30 years. And a rare opportunity to haul tires and trash from the Youghiogheny River in Westmoreland County.
In April, the Youghiogheny River was 14 feet deep where it winds through Ohiopyle, according to U.S. Geological Survey data. As of Wednesday, it was barely a foot deep. It’s hovered around that level since Oct. 20, excluding a brief period when it rose to nearly 2 feet Nov. 11-12.
The lack of rainfall has had some upsides.
The typically submerged Great Crossings Bridge at Yough River Lake has been uncovered and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates that more than 40,000 people have flocked to see the 206-year-old span.
Upriver, the lack of rainfall has exposed trash along the Yough’s banks in places such as Sutersville, where Allegheny Cleanways officials are planning a Nov. 30 tire cleanup.
“We won’t be bringing the boats up because it’s so shallow,” said Allegheny Cleanways Water Program Coordinator Ben Halliburton. “But we brought some kayaks up in May to do a river cleanup. We’re going to go out as deep as we can. I’m bringing several sets of hip waders.”
