Saturday, May 1, MWA was able to host its yearly Birds and Blooms walk. To our surprise, around 35 individuals were able to attend the hike! Like previous years, this walk was led by Lisa Smith and Josh Lawery. Both …
Swim Season 2021 is upon us!
Life is resurging all throughout the Youghiogheny River watershed! Spring has sprung as evident by the sounds of birds chirping, squirrel frolicking, while plants and trees bloom. That can mean only one thing: The summer season is soon to be …
What is your favorite type of river trash?
Spring is here and river cleanup season is upon us. Many communities are hosting cleanups throughout southwestern Pennsylvania. Connellsville has an annual citywide cleanup coming up. Dunbar Township has made great improvements to country roads known to be historical dumping sites. MWA …
Land Donation for Public Use
Mountain Watershed Association has received a donation of a twenty-one-acre stretch of undeveloped land along the Indian Creek Valley Trail to be incorporated into the hiking and biking path. The parcel was donated in honor of Willis B. Miller and …
Electrofishing Survey in the Indian Creek Watershed—Some Shocking Fish!
Last week, we were out in the field to do something we’ve been looking forward to for a while: fish shocking with the team from Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s (WPC) Watershed Conservation Program. Fish shocking, or electrofishing, is performed using a …
Tire Free Youghiogheny
Mountain Watershed Association hosted their 2nd Annual Yough River Cleanup & Tiresweep on Saturday, September 12th. The combination of low water and nice weather provided volunteers with great conditions on the Yough. We want to thank all the volunteers who participated …
What is MWA? A quick breakdown.
How it all began… The Mountain Watershed Association (MWA) is a grassroots community-based organization with its roots in the Indian Creek Watershed (a sub-basin of the Youghiogheny River), located in Westmoreland and Fayette Counties. Like so many grassroots groups, it …
Adding the Steyer Bridge to the Indian Creek Valley Trail
There are still sections that need completed to finish the Indian Creek Valley Trail from Route 31 to the Youghiogheny River—a full 19 miles of what remains of the abandoned Indian Creek Valley Railroad. Last summer MWA completed the ICV …
Walk with Rachel in the Indian Creek Gorge
The Indian Creek Valley Gorge is somewhat of a hidden gem in the Laurel Highlands. The 4.5 mile gorge section of the ICV Trail was completed in August of 2019 and is excellent for bike riding, taking a stroll, or …
Spring Wildflowers of the Indian Creek Gorge
The Indian Creek Gorge is a special place. It contains large sections of undisturbed deciduous and mixed forests, excellent floodplain vegetation, and the sights and sounds of Indian Creek’s fast flowing journey towards the Youghiogheny River. In fact, Indian Creek, …