Ohio River in Beaver County
Beaver
DESCRIPTION: Large sections of the Ohio River in Beaver County are not accessible, but there are a few excellent vantage points worthy of attention during waterfowl and gull migration, but generally the river is not worthwhile at other seasons. Riverfront Park in Rochester offers an excellent view of the Ohio at the mouth of the Beaver River and is one of the best spots in the county to watch for gulls and waterfowl. Getting around Rochester in general and getting to Riverfront Park in particular can be very confusing.

DIRECTIONS: The simplest approach is beginning from the PA 18 exit (Exit 12) on PA 60, proceed north on PA 18 for 3.1 miles to the Rochester Bridge. Immediately after crossing the bridge, turn right at the traffic light onto Pleasant Street. At the bottom of the hill, in 0.2 miles, you come to a complicated six-way intersection. Turn onto first right — New York Avenue (which is at a 90-degree angle from the road you are on — there is a white sign here that says "Rochester Riverfront Park" as well as a few other things) and proceed over bridge that bends to the right. After 0.25 mile, turn left at the stop sign onto Harrison Street. The Ohio River and Riverfront Park are ahead at the next stop sign (0.1 mile). Turn right on Water Street; the road runs along the Ohio briefly, then turns north and parallels the Beaver River for about 0.7 mile before terminating in a parking circle. To continue exploring the rivers, retrace your way back to the large six-way intersection mentioned above. At the light bear left onto Brighton Road, which is the second left (not the hard left from whence you came). There is no sign that say "Brighton Road" here unfortunately. At the traffic light at Adams Street (PA 68) , turn left and follow PA 68 West, which takes you across the Beaver River and into the town of Beaver. Continue on PA 68 West for another 3.8 miles to the Bad Frogs Restaurant on the left side of PA 68. (You will cross over PA 60 at Exit 13 at 2.9 miles.) The parking lot at the restaurant affords an excellent overview of the river. There has been an active Osprey nest on the power line tower across from the restaurant since at least 2003, and in late fall and early spring, flocks of gulls including Herring, Ring-billed, Bonaparte's, and rarely Lesser and Great Black-backed, congregate at the hot water outlets of the industrial facilities on the opposite side of the river. Continue on PA 68 west for another 2.3 miles and turn left onto Grandview Road in the town of Ohioview. Proceed for less than 0.1 mile and turn left on River Road and then bear right to a parking area near the river. This area offers a view of the Ohio River below Montgomery Lock and Dam that attracts large aggregations gulls in late fall and winter. In spring the occasional Forster's, Caspian, or Common terns may be present. The road makes a simple loop around through a small neighborhood and rejoins PA 68. Turn right to return to PA 60 Exit 13 as described above.

 

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Posted: 2009-10-24 00:00:00
Updated: