Few People Know One Of West Virginia’s Largest Cities Used To Be An Ancient Lake

Morgantown is one of West Virginia's biggest cities. Home to WVU, many West Virginia businesses, homes, and great restaurants, it's one of the most important cities, as well. Long before there was event a hint of civilization, Lake Monongahela covered the area that would later become Morgantown.

Few people know that the area that we know as Morgantown today was once under a great lake.

The entire Morgantown area and beyond was once covered by Lake Monongahela.

The lake formed about Around 900,000 years ago, during the last ice age.

Glaciers froze in the rivers and the water backed up to become a lake that covered large parts of Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

As the ice melted, the lake drained, bringing much of West Virginia above water again.

The new water helped to form the Ohio River Valley as we know it today.

The glaciers also deposited a large amount of red clay throughout the area, which was used in early pottery.

It's fascinating to think about how much our area has changed!

Want to know more about ancient history in the area of West Virginia? Visit West Virginia's lost state park and the geological center there.