• A view of the South and North abutments of the South Fork Dam. The Visitor Center, Unger House, and Spring House are visible in the background. As is visible, a spur railroad line connects coal trains with the main line of the railroad.

    Johnstown Flood

    National Memorial Pennsylvania

Rivers and Streams

The South Fork of the Little Conemaugh River flows through the park. Unfortunately, acidic mine drainage from the Saint Michael and Beaverdale areas pollutes the river, and it is fishless. Efforts are underway to remediate the mine pollution upstream of the park, which will improve the water quality within the park.

Although fishless, polluted rivers and streams are not lifeless. Some forms of bacteria and algae are adapted to acidic conditions. Pollution-tolerant insects and other animals can also inhabit polluted waterways.

Did You Know?

Memory Jar, Johnstown Flood Museum

People made Memory Jars from items collected among the ruins after the 1889 Flood. There is one such Memory Jar on display at the Johnstown Flood Museum.