Shenango River facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shenango River
The Shenango River, flowing from the dam of Shenango River Lake in South Pymatuning Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania
Other name(s)	Tributary to Beaver River
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania Ohio
Counties	Ashtabula (OH) Crawford (PA) Lawrence (PA) Mercer (PA)
Physical characteristics
Main source	Pymatuning Swamp (divide between Shenango River and French Creek) Sadsbury Township, Pennsylvania 1,010 ft (310 m) 41°33′21″N 080°25′41″W / 41.55583°N 80.42806°W / 41.55583; -80.42806
River mouth	Beaver River New Castle, Pennsylvania 760 ft (230 m) 40°57′29″N 080°22′43″W / 40.95806°N 80.37861°W / 40.95806; -80.37861
Length	82.66 mi (133.03 km)
Basin features
Progression	South
River system	Beaver River
Basin size	1,065.33 square miles (2,759.2 km2)
Tributaries	Left: Little Shenango River Mathay Run Lawango Run Lackawannock Creek Daley Run Magargee Run Pine Hollow Run Thornton Run Pine Run Buchanon Run Neshannock Creek Big Run Right: Linesville Creek Ashtabula River Gravel Run Black Creek McMichaels Creek Sugar Run Big Run Brush Run Chestnut Run Pymatuning Creek McCullough Run Big Run Yankee Run Turkey Run Deer Creek
Waterbodies	Pymatuning Lake Shenango Lake

The Shenango River is a cool river, about 83 miles (133 km) long. It flows mostly through Pennsylvania in the United States. A small part of it also goes into Ohio. The Shenango River is a main branch, or tributary, of the Beaver River. Its water eventually joins the Ohio River and then the mighty Mississippi River. So, it's part of a huge water system!

Where Does the Shenango River Start?

The Shenango River gets its name from an old Iroquoian word, "Shanango." This word means "the beautiful one." The river begins in west-central Crawford County, Pennsylvania.

Journey Through Lakes and Towns

The river first flows northwest into the Pymatuning Reservoir. This large lake was made in 1934 when a dam was built on the river. The lake then turns south and gets wider as it enters Ashtabula County, Ohio. It even flows through Pymatuning State Park.

After leaving the dam and returning to Pennsylvania, the Shenango River flows south-southeast. It passes through towns like Jamestown and Greenville in Mercer County.

Shenango River Lake and Beyond

The river then turns west into Shenango River Lake. This lake was created in 1965 by a United States Army Corps of Engineers dam. Below this dam, the Shenango River flows southwest. It goes through communities such as Sharpsville and Sharon. Near Sharon, it briefly enters Trumbull County, Ohio.

The river then turns south-southeast. It flows past Farrell, Wheatland, and West Middlesex. Finally, it enters Lawrence County. Here, it passes New Castle and Oakland.

Where the River Ends

The Shenango River meets the Mahoning River about 3 miles (4.8 km) southwest of New Castle. When these two rivers join, they form the Beaver River.

What Are the Shenango River's Branches?

Many smaller streams and creeks flow into the Shenango River. These are called tributaries.

Important Tributaries

• The Little Shenango River is a short branch. It flows entirely in Mercer County and joins the Shenango from the east at Greenville.
• Pymatuning Creek flows into Shenango River Lake.
• Neshannock Creek joins the river at New Castle.