History of the Conewango Creek

Conewango: An Iroquois name meaning ‘Below the riffles’, The Conewango Creek was the waterway trail leading to the ‘Forbidden Path’ of the Seneca Nation. It was called the forbidden path because it was guarded so carefully. The Native Americans were hostile to anyone who dared enter the path, because it was a direct line to the ‘Land of Lakes’ their special domain.

In 1749 a French force under the control of Celeron de Blainville paddled down the Conewango, at the confluence of the Conewango and Allegheny they buried a lead plate claiming the area for France, the plate has never been found. The Conewango then became a water highway for the first white settlers in the area, in the 1800’s it became a logging river, as vast log rafts called Conewangos measuring 152 feet long and 16 feet wide would be lashed 6 together and be called Alleghenies, these rafts would be floated down stream to Pittsburg or Cincinnati, upon arrival they would be dismantled and sold, the crew would then walk back to Russell.

Today the Conewango is a haven for wildlife from Ospreys to otters, and it’s also a fishermen’s paradise, most of the creek is slow moving flat water with the exception of an 8 mile stretch between Russell and Warren, here the grade drops and the riffles begin, class 1 or less and easily paddled by a novice kayaker or canoes. There are several islands to stop on and have a picnic lunch; the Conewango Creek is truly the gateway to the Allegheny River.