Beaver River (Pennsylvania) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beaver River |
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Looking northward along the Beaver River at Beaver Falls.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| Counties | Lawrence, Beaver |
| Cities | Beaver Falls, New Brighton, Rochester, Bridgewater |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Confluence of Mahoning River and Shenango River Mahoningtown, New Castle 760 ft (230 m) 40°57′29″N 80°22′43″W / 40.95806°N 80.37861°W |
| River mouth | Ohio River boundary of Bridgewater and Rochester 682 ft (208 m) 40°41′49″N 80°17′21″W / 40.69694°N 80.28917°W |
| Length | 21 mi (34 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | south |
| River system | Ohio River |
| Basin size | 3,163.92 square miles (8,194.5 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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The Beaver River is a river in Western Pennsylvania, United States. It is about 21 miles (34 km) long. This river flows into the Ohio River. The area around the Beaver River was once important for coal mining.
The Beaver River starts in Lawrence County. It forms where two other rivers, the Mahoning and Shenango, meet. This meeting point is near New Castle. From there, the Beaver River flows south.
It passes by towns like West Pittsburg and Homewood. Another stream, Connoquenessing Creek, joins it near Ellwood City. The river then flows past Beaver Falls and New Brighton. Finally, it meets the Ohio River between Bridgewater and Rochester. This spot is about 20 miles (32 km) northwest of Pittsburgh. Near the Ohio River, the Beaver River cuts through a deep valley made of sandstone.
The river runs mostly parallel to the border of Ohio. Major roads like Interstate 376 and Pennsylvania Route 18 also follow the river's path.
Why is it called the Beaver River?
The Beaver River flows through the northern part of Beaver County. The county and several towns are named after this river. The name might come from King Beaver. He was a leader of the Lenape (also called Delaware) people. They moved to this area in the late 1740s. Another idea is that the river was named after the animal itself. Beavers were common in the area long ago.
Before 1849, the entire river was in Beaver County. That year, Lawrence County was created from parts of Beaver and Mercer County.
Towns and Cities Along the River
Many communities are located along the Beaver River. These towns have grown up around the river's path.
