Polluted by steel industry waste for decades, the so-called “stink creek” was unable to support aquatic life before its restoration began in 2001. Today, Nine Mile Run has (mostly) dropped its nickname, supports dozens of fish species, hosts the occasional beaver or muskrat, and provides an urban oasis for Pittsburghers as one of four above ground streams in the city. Along its banks, restored wetlands provide vital habitat for migratory birds, snapping turtles, and spring peepers.
While Nine Mile Run still has high levels of bacteria from sewage overflows and urban runoff, we continue to work towards a future where people can safely recreate in the stream.
Today, much of UpstreamPgh’s work to protect Nine Mile Run begins on land, in neighborhoods like Wilkinsburg and East Hills. By building green infrastructure throughout the watershed, we’re preventing pollution from entering the stream in the first place.
The Nine Mile Run Stream Restoration, completed in 2006
Nine Mile Run Stream Restoration (2006)
Right from the start, UpstreamPgh played a key role in the Nine Mile Run Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration that transformed areas of Lower Frick Park along Nine Mile Run. Upon completion, we became stewards of the project area, responsible for outreach, education, advocacy and the development of green stormwater infrastructure projects in the upper watershed.
But before the Restoration, an ecological art project, the Nine Mile Run Greenway Project was started by the Studio for Creative Inquiry at Carnegie Mellon University. The project was led by Tim Collins, Reiko Goto, Bob Bingham and John Stephen, and focused on the slag piles and the stream. They invited the public to imagine what the area could be like if restored.
Since the Fern Hollow Bridge collapsed in 2022, we have worked to protect Fern Hollow from the impacts of the bridge collapse and reconstruction. Since June 2024, we have been working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to study potential improvements to the Fern Hollow Creek Ecological Area.
Learn more about Restore Fern Hollow and the Fern Hollow Vision Plan.
Read the press release announcing our partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The Confluence Area site plan, part of the Fern Hollow Vision Plan
Volunteers enter the water to remove litter from Nine Mile Run during a Stream Sweep event.
We host Stream Sweeps twice a year in spring and fall. Around 50 volunteers participate in each event, removing hundreds of pounds of trash. It’s always fun to see what interesting things we’ll find! Past treasures have included driver’s licenses, creepy dolls, a bicycle, shopping cart, and even an ankle monitoring bracelet.
Learn more about our biannual Stream Sweeps.
Interested in joining us for our next Stream Sweep? Head over to our Volunteer page.
Live stakes are limbs cut from specific tree and shrub species which can propagate by branch in the ground. These stakes quickly grow roots, helping to stabilize the streambank. UpstreamPgh recently partnered with Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. to plant over 1,000 native tree and shrub live stakes in the Fern Hollow Valley.
Learn more about our live stake plantings along Fern Hollow Creek and Nine Mile Run.
Volunteers plant live stakes along Fern Hollow Creek in Frick Park
An Urban EcoSteward tends their plot along Nine Mile Run.
Urban EcoStewards work independently, without UpstreamPgh staff, stewarding land in Frick Park or at our Green Stormwater Infrastructure sites. Responsibilities include removing invasive plants, planting native species, picking up trash, and conducting other gardening tasks to help restore native habitat and manage rainwater.
Learn more about the Urban EcoSteward program.
Interested in becoming an Urban EcoSteward? Head to our Volunteer page!
Map of the Nine Mile Run Watershed
Nine Mile Run: Stream & Watershed
At UpstreamPgh, we work watershed-wide. We understand that improving the health of this urban stream can only be accomplished by addressing its challenges: excessive stormwater runoff, streambank erosion, non-point source pollution, sewage overflows and more. As stewards of the Nine Mile Run watershed we continue to work towards a healthier stream for generations to come.
What is a watershed?
A watershed is a geographic area where water from rain and snowmelt drain to a common body of water.
The 7 square mile Nine Mile Run watershed includes parts of the City of Pittsburgh (East Hills, Homewood, Point Breeze, Regent Square, Squirrel Hill and Swisshelm Park), Edgewood, Swissvale and Wilkinsburg.
Nine Mile Run flows into the Monongahela River at Duck Hollow, and then into the Ohio River. The Ohio River Basin is the name of a larger, regional watershed that spans parts of 14 states, including: Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee.
To learn more about watersheds, watch this 3-minute Introduction to Watersheds video from the PA Fish & Boat Commission
We asked our volunteers, “What is your favorite part about volunteering with UpstreamPgh?”
“Being outdoors, learning new nature facts and understanding the future plans for Nine Mile Run.”
“Working on a common goal with like minded people.”
“Great opportunity to help the local community.”
“Giving back to the parks that I love.”
Learn more about our work in Nine Mile Run!
Fish Passage
Fish Passage
Beavers
Beavers
Stream Sweeps
Stream Sweeps
Urban EcoStewards
Urban EcoStewards
360° Imagery and GIS Help Monitor Environmental Impact of Fern Hollow Bridge Collapse
360° Imagery and GIS Help Monitor Environmental Impact of Fern Hollow Bridge Collapse
Live stake plantings along Fern Hollow Creek
Live stake plantings along Fern Hollow Creek
New study will determine health of, and improvements needed at Fern Hollow Creek
New study will determine health of, and improvements needed at Fern Hollow Creek
With new Fern Hollow Bridge in place, environmentalists are set to evaluate the creek below
With new Fern Hollow Bridge in place, environmentalists are set to evaluate the creek below
As PennDOT hurries to rebuild Fern Hollow Bridge, environmentalists worry about waterways below
As PennDOT hurries to rebuild Fern Hollow Bridge, environmentalists worry about waterways below
Environmentalists Worry About Impact Of Bridge Collapse On Frick Park
Environmentalists Worry About Impact Of Bridge Collapse On Frick Park
Rebuilding a bridge — and an ecosystem
Rebuilding a bridge — and an ecosystem
Fern Hollow Bridge collapse raises concern for restored Nine Mile Run
Fern Hollow Bridge collapse raises concern for restored Nine Mile Run
Restore Fern Hollow
Restore Fern Hollow
Invasive Plants
