See all 4 routes on Youghiogheny River
Pennsylvania | Laurel Highlands
Youghiogheny RiverRiver Road, Dawson to Port Vue Launch, McKeesport (multi-day corridor)
A long, 38-mile multi-day Class I-II northern Yough water-trail corridor from the River Road access in Dawson to the PFBC Port Vue/McKeesport ramp. The reach has multiple documented intermediate access and camping points, including RoundBottom, Smithton Beach, Cedar Creek Park, West Newton, Sutersville, Buena Vista, and Boston.
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Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
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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.
Access map
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.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
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
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
Check how the river is changing and what weather to expect.
USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Youghiogheny River at Sutersville, PA. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Hourly forecast
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Route gallery
Photos
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Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Youghiogheny River at Sutersville, PA |
| Discharge | Checking |
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| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
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| Air temp | Checking |
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| Wind | Checking |
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| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 1,500 cfs |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| 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 |
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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 explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.
Quick answers
Youghiogheny River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the River Road, Dawson to Port Vue Launch, McKeesport (multi-day corridor) route on the 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 the River Road, Dawson to Port Vue Launch, McKeesport (multi-day corridor) route on the Youghiogheny River start and end?
This route starts at River Road, Dawson unimproved access and ends at PFBC Port Vue Launch, Atlantic Avenue, McKeesport, Approximately 38 river miles (multi-day staged corridor) on the water.
Is the River Road, Dawson to Port Vue Launch, McKeesport (multi-day corridor) route on the Youghiogheny River suitable 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.
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