Allegheny Islands Wilderness

Summary

The Allegheny Islands Wilderness is located in the Allegheny National Forest. It comprises seven islands in the Allegheny River,[2] totaling 368 acres (149 ha). All are alluvial origin. The islands are located between Buckaloons Recreation Area and Tionesta, Pennsylvania.

Allegheny Islands Wilderness
Map showing the location of Allegheny Islands Wilderness
Map showing the location of Allegheny Islands Wilderness
LocationWarren / Forest counties, Pennsylvania, USA
Coordinates41°45′05″N 79°18′56″W / 41.7513364°N 79.315453°W / 41.7513364; -79.315453[1]
Area368 acres (149 ha)
Established1984
Governing bodyU.S. Forest Service

The Allegheny Islands Wilderness was created by Congress in 1984 as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. It is one of the smallest wilderness areas of the United States.

Flora edit

These islands are characterized by river bottom forest types such as willows, American sycamore, shagbark hickory, green ash, and silver maple. Crull's and Thompson's Island contain 156 acres (63 ha) of mature and old-growth forests.

Fauna edit

Bald eagles have returned to the area, and otters have been re-introduced. The area is home to ospreys, soft-shelled turtles, great blue herons, kingfishers, common mergansers, mallards, and beavers.

The Allegheny River is home to a variety of freshwater mussels.

The islands are home to the federally endangered clubshell mussel (Pleurobema clava) and the Northern riffleshell (Epioblasma torulosa rangiana).

They are also home to rare fishes, including the bluebreast darter (Etheostoma camurum), and the spotted darter (Etheostoma maculatum).

List of islands edit

In popular culture edit

The area was featured in "Brian Finch's Black Op," the November 3, 2015 episode of Limitless.

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ "Allegheny Islands Wilderness Map". Wilderness.net. Retrieved 2011-08-19.
  2. ^ "Allegheny Wild and Scenic River". United States Forest Service. Retrieved 15 January 2024.

References edit

  • Nature Tourism
  • Middle Allegheny River Water Trail
  • Wilderness Islands Water Trail

External links edit

  • Allegheny Wild and Scenic River
  • Friends of Allegheny Wilderness