See all 4 routes on Youghiogheny River
Pennsylvania | Laurel Highlands
Youghiogheny River
River Road, Dawson to Port Vue Launch, McKeesport (multi-day corridor)
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
Checking weather.
Loading today's forecast.
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
Long northern Youghiogheny water-trail itinerary with multiple intermediate access and camping options.
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
River Road, Dawson unimproved accessDawson is unimproved; verify parking and carry distance.
Take-out
PFBC Port Vue Launch, Atlantic Avenue, McKeesportDo not substitute private banks for named access.
Plan this segment
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Dawson is unimproved; verify parking and carry distance.
- Do not substitute private banks for named access.
Watch for
- rapidly changing flow
- bridge and rail crossings
- strainers
- cold water
- urban confluence
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 Sutersville, 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 | 1,500 cfs |
| High threshold | Not calibrated yet |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | American Whitewater Dawson to Port Vue reach |
| 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 gaugeRiver Road, Dawson to Port Vue Launch, McKeesport; USGS 03083500
American Whitewater identifies this exact 38-mile reach, names the intermediate access points, and ties it directly to the Sutersville gauge.
- Public endpointsRiver Road, Dawson unimproved access; PFBC Port Vue/McKeesport surfaced ramp
PFBC's northern water-trail map identifies the Dawson/Sutersville/Port Vue access context and publishes endpoint coordinates; the Dawson coordinate is retained from the existing verified Dawson package.
- Threshold and current conditionsConservative minimum-only guidance: 1,500 cfs; AW reports about 2,370 cfs medium runnable
American Whitewater provides the station-specific medium-runnable reference for this reach. The product intentionally omits an unsupported upper limit and requires same-day visual assessment.
- Water trail, camping, and safetyPFBC northern Youghiogheny Water Trail, Great Allegheny Passage, and RoundBottom campground
PFBC and Mountain Watershed Association maps document the access-site table, camping symbols, permit/PFD context, and hazards along the corridor.
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 Sutersville, PA and uses 1,500 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 River Road, Dawson unimproved access and ends at PFBC Port Vue Launch, Atlantic Avenue, McKeesport, about Approximately 38 river miles (multi-day staged corridor) 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
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.