Kinzua Bridge State Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Kinzua Bridge State Park, Pennsylvania, USA | |
|---|---|
| IUCN Category III (Natural Monument) | |
  |
|
| Location: | McKean County, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Nearest city: | Mount Jewett |
| Coordinates: | |
| Area: | 329 acres (1.3 km²) |
| Established: | December 31, 1980 |
| Governing body: | Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
Kinzua Bridge State Park is a Pennsylvania state park near Mount Jewett, McKean County, Pennsylvania in the United States. This 329 acre (1.3 km²) park lies between U.S. Route 6 and Pennsylvania Route 59, just east of the Allegheny National Forest.
Contents |
[edit] Kinzua Bridge
The park is noted as the home of the Kinzua Viaduct (bridge), spanning Kinzua Creek, built in 1882 and destroyed in 2003 by a tornado. At the time it was built, the Kinzua Bridge was the highest, at 301 feet (92 m), and longest, at 2,053 feet (626 m), railway bridge in the world, given the distinction of being listed as a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. The Erie Railroad company owned and operated the bridge.
Excursion rail trips were offered across the bridge until June, 2002, when it was closed for restoration. At approximately 3:20 p.m., July 21, 2003, a tornado from the east touched down at the park. The storm, classified as F-1 on the Fujita scale, tore down 23 of the 41 structure spans and nearby trees were snapped and uprooted. The failure was caused by badly rusted bolts holding the bases of the towers. The investigation reckoned that the whole structure oscillated laterally 4-5 times before fatigue broke the base bolts. The towers fell intact in sections, and they suffered impact damage with the ground. They have been left as they fell, and it is intended to make the ruins a visitor attraction to show the forces of nature at work.
[edit] Recreation
A scenic view overlooks the fallen bridge and Kinzua Creek Valley. The overlook is also a prime location to view the fall foliage during the first two weeks of October. The park also has a shaded picnic area with a centrally located modern restroom.
There are 100 acres (0.40 km²) acres of woods open to hunting at Kinzua Bridge State Park. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The common game species are black bears, squirrels, white-tailed deer, and turkeys. The hunting of groundhogs is prohibited.
[edit] Nearby state parks
The following state parks are within 30 miles (48 km) of Kinzua Bridge State Park:
- Allegany State Park (New York)
- Bendigo State Park (Elk County)
- Bucktail State Park (Cameron and Clinton Counties)
- Chapman State Park (Warren County)
- Elk State Park (Elk County)
- Sizerville State Park (Cameron and Potter Counties)
[edit] References
- Kinzua State Park. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on June 11, 2005.
- DNCR report on the collapse of the Kinzua Viaduct. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved on June 11, 2005.
- United States Geological Survey. Kinzua Bridge State Park, USGS Cyclone (PA) Topo Map. TopoZone. Retrieved on March 25, 2007.
