See all 4 routes on Youghiogheny River
Pennsylvania | Laurel Highlands
Youghiogheny River
Connellsville River Park to River Road, Dawson
Check current paddling conditions for this Youghiogheny River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Conditions
Gauge history and hourly forecast
The top card is the quick read. This lower section keeps the longer gauge trend, gauge context, and hourly forecast together.
Gauge detail
Gauge history & hourly forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
--Checking timestampMN DNR provides the current paddling level here, but not chart-ready recent samples.
Weather
Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Route overview
Quick facts and what's next
Distance, difficulty, shuttle basics, and the near-term outlook before you commit to the drive.
Quick facts
Plan ahead
Upcoming outlook
These are early planning reads. Re-check live conditions before you commit to the drive.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
Family-oriented moving-water float with a surfaced Connellsville ramp and unimproved Dawson take-out.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
Download the canonical route, add a calendar hold, or send a simple float plan to your group.
Put-in
Yough River Park, Connellsville surfaced rampDawson access is unimproved; verify carry distance, parking, and closure signs.
Take-out
River Road, Dawson unimproved accessDawson access is unimproved; verify carry distance, parking, and closure signs.
Plan this segment
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Dawson access is unimproved; verify carry distance, parking, and closure signs.
Watch for
- changing reservoir-regulated flow
- bridge structures
- strainers and debris
- cold water
Route gallery
See this route on the water
Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.
No approved route photos yet
Start the gallery with shots of the access, river character, or any detail that helps paddlers know what this run actually looks like.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.
Why this scoreToday's evidence strength is checking
Evidence strength mostly comes down to three things: how direct the active gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking evidence-strength notes.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | Youghiogheny River at Connellsville, PA |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Ideal range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 1,350 cfs |
| High threshold | Not calibrated yet |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | American Whitewater and Western Pennsylvania river guide flow guidance |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Direct route and gaugeConnellsville River Park to River Road, Dawson; USGS 03082500
American Whitewater identifies this exact 5.4-mile reach and direct Connellsville gauge; the USGS station provides current discharge, stage, and NAVD88 stream level.
- Public endpointsYough River Park surfaced ramp; Dawson unimproved access
PFBC identifies Yough River Park as a surfaced ramp at 40°01'15 N, 79°35'50 W; the Water Trail map identifies Dawson as river-left under the road bridge, and independent launch data places the access near 40.0453, -79.6562.
- Threshold and current conditionsConservative minimum-only guidance: 1,350 cfs; AW reported 2,100 cfs medium runnable
American Whitewater reports this reach medium runnable at 2,100 cfs; the Western Pennsylvania river guide lists the broader South Connellsville-to-Dawson corridor around 1,350-2,580 cfs. The product uses the lower value as a conservative minimum and does not assert an unsupported upper limit.
- Water trail, camping, and safetyPFBC northern Youghiogheny Water Trail and Great Allegheny Passage
PFBC and Mountain Watershed Association identify the water trail, access ownership, camping symbols, and trail services; the map warns that PFDs are required and cold-weather wear rules apply.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
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Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.
Quick answers
Youghiogheny River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Youghiogheny River?
Paddle Today watches Youghiogheny River at Connellsville, PA and uses 1,350 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.
Where does this Youghiogheny River route start and end?
This route starts at Yough River Park, Connellsville surfaced ramp and ends at River Road, Dawson unimproved access, about Approximately 5.4 river miles on the water.
Is this Youghiogheny River route good for beginners?
This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.
Flag a change
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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.