Monongahela River
Three Rivers Waterkeeper (3RWK)’s mission is to protect the water quality of the Monongahela, Allegheny, and Ohio Rivers, and their respective watersheds. Our vision is to have drinkable, fishable, and swimmable water in the Monongahela, Allegheny, and Ohio Rivers, and their respective watersheds. These waterways are critical to the health, vitality, and economic prosperity of our region and communities.
The Monongahela River forms at the junction of Tygart Valley River and West Fork Rivers in Marion County, WV. The river flows northward towards Pittsburgh for a total of 128.7 miles. In Pittsburgh, it joins with the Allegheny River to eventually form the Ohio River. The Monongahela River is one of a few major rivers in North America that flow from south to north, instead of north to south. Thanks to the locks and dams being operated by the US Army Corp of Engineers, the Monongahela River became the first river in the United States with complete navigational control. Many people use it for boating, recreation, and fishing. Nevertheless, the Monongahela faces many obstacles, with mixed uses from agriculture to industrial sites, creating high levels of zinc and chromium in the waterways, impacting the health of our people and wildlife. The Monongahela is often overlooked in conservation with many environmental injustices along the way. Let’s celebrate the Mon and shed some positive light on our critical resources!