The Youghiogheny River Watershed

The Youghiogheny River Watershed encompasses about 397 square miles in Maryland. The Youghiogheny River is a north flowing tributary to the Mississippi River. The Eastern Continental Divide separates the Mississippi drainage system from the Chesapeake Bay Watershed to our East.

The Youghiogheny and its tributaries possess unique natural and recreational resources, and is the only river designated as "Wild and Scenic" by the state of Maryland. These natural resources encourage in a wide variety of recreational uses from whitewater boating to fishing. Special trout fishing management areas have been established in portions of the river, making it one of Maryland's top trout fishing destinations.

Unfortunately, past coal mining practices have left their mark on some streams within this magnificent watershed. Today, these abandoned coal mines contribute thousands of gallons of acid mine drainage (AMD) per minute into the tributaries of the Youghiogheny River, severally degrading portions of this watershed. The upper portion of the watershed has an agriculture-base land use that has led to loss of forested riparian zones, increased sedimentation, and increased thermal impacts.