Casselman River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Casselman River |
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The Casselman River in Casselman River Bridge State Park near Grantsville, Maryland
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Location of Casselman River mouth
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| Other name(s) | Tributary to Youghiogheny River |
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania Maryland |
| County | Somerset (PA) Garrett (MD) |
| Borough | Casselman Rockwood Meyersdale Confluence Salisbury Ursina Garrett |
| Town | Grantsville |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | confluence of North and South Branch Casselman River divide about 0.25 miles south-southeast of Casselman, Maryland 2,160 ft (660 m) 39°42′30″N 079°07′02″W / 39.70833°N 79.11722°W |
| River mouth | Youghiogheny River Confluence, Pennsylvania 1,312 ft (400 m) 39°48′54″N 079°21′53″W / 39.81500°N 79.36472°W |
| Length | 55.28 mi (88.96 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | southwest |
| River system | Monongahela River |
| Basin size | 593.06 square miles (1,536.0 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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| Bridges | Maple Grove Road, I-68/Us 219, US 40, River Road (x2), Ord Street, Coal Run Road, Shaw Mines Road, US 219, Broadway Street, US 219, Great Allegheny Passage, Petenbrink Road, Berlin Street, Rockdale Road, Markleton School Road, Listonburg Road, Robert Brown Road |
The Casselman River is a river in the United States. It flows through western Maryland and Pennsylvania. This river is about 56.5 miles (90.9 km) long. It is a tributary of the Youghiogheny River. The Casselman River helps drain a large area of about 576 square miles (1,490 km²).
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Exploring the Casselman River
The Casselman River has been important for travel. It helped people cross the Allegheny Mountains. These mountains separate cities like Baltimore and Washington, D.C. from Pittsburgh.
River's Role in Transportation
Two different railroads once followed the Casselman River. They ran from Meyersdale, Pennsylvania to Confluence, Pennsylvania.
- The B&O Railroad was finished in 1827. It connected Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Today, CSX owns this railway.
- The Western Maryland Railway also used the river valley. It ran from Cumberland, Maryland to Connellsville, Pennsylvania. This railway stopped operating in the 1980s.
The Great Allegheny Passage
After the Western Maryland Railway closed, its path was changed. It became the Great Allegheny Passage. This is a popular rail trail for bikes and hiking. It lets people explore the beautiful river area.
Other Names for the River
Over time, the Casselman River has been called by different names. The Geographic Names Information System lists some of these.
- Casselmans River
- Castleman River
- Castleman's River
- Castlmans River
- Little Youghiogheny
- Old Town Creek
- Yockie Geni
Where the River Flows
The Casselman River starts in Garrett County, Maryland. It begins as two smaller streams. One stream is east of Meadow Mountain. The other is between Meadow Mountain and Negro Mountain.
River's Journey Through Maryland and Pennsylvania
These two streams flow north. They join together near Grantsville, Maryland. The river then continues north into Pennsylvania. It makes a big curve through Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Finally, it reaches the town of Confluence, Pennsylvania. Here, Laurel Hill Creek joins the Casselman River. A short distance later, the Casselman River flows into the Youghiogheny River.
Towns Along the River
As the Casselman River moves from Maryland into Pennsylvania, it passes many towns.
- In Elk Lick Township, it flows near West Salisbury and Boynton.
- It then goes through Summit Township. Here, it passes Meyersdale and Garrett.
- In Black Township, the river reaches Rockwood. It then turns southwest.
- The river also forms a natural border for several townships. These include Black, Addison, Milford, Upper Turkeyfoot, and Lower Turkeyfoot Townships.
- It flows past towns like Casselman, Markleton, and Fort Hill. All these towns are on its way to Confluence.
Smaller Streams Joining the River
Many smaller streams, called tributaries, flow into the Casselman River. These streams add water to the main river.
Tributaries in Pennsylvania
Before the Casselman River reaches Garrett, many streams join it. These include Flag Run, Meadow Run, Tub Mill Run, Piney Creek, Coal Run, Miller Run, Flaugherty Creek, Elklick Creek, Blue Lick Creek, and Swamp Creek. In Garrett, Buffalo Creek and Bigby Creek also add their waters.
Further along, Lick Run, Shafer Run, and Stony Batter Run join the river. Near Rockwood, Coxes Creek and Rhoads Creek flow into it. Before the Casselman River meets the Youghiogheny River at Confluence, more streams join. These are South Glade Creek, Middle Creek, Town Line Run, McClintock Run, Cucumber Run, Whites Creek, and Laurel Hill Creek.
