[4] The major body of water flowing through the borough is the Lackawanna River, part of the Upper Susquehanna-Lackawanna Watershed.

[5] Acid mine drainage into the Lackawanna River from a borehole in Old Forge is the largest point source of pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

[6] The history of Old Forge can be traced back to 1789 and Dr. William Smith, who was an army surgeon in the American Revolutionary War.

Drake's son, Ebenezer, secured a post office for Old Forge in 1848, where he served as postmaster until 1885.

As a result of a major coal mining strike, many people left Old Forge and the population dropped to 12,661 according to the 1930 census.

By the 1950s, the Maxson Corporation began operating its electronics factory, at one point employing as many as 1,000.

The Gabriel Sporting Goods Company moved into a portion of the Maxson plant.

By the 1970s, though, Brooks was undergoing a major reduction in workforce and eventually closed in the 1980s to be replaced by its current tenant, King Coil Mattress Co.

[citation needed] Old Forge consists of a burgess (mayor) and a seven-seat council government, established in 1899.

[12] The Old Forge Blue Devils have a long, rich history in high school sports.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Old Forge dominated the area in football and basketball, winning several league championships and conference titles.

During the 1950s, Old Forge compiled the highest winning percentage for football in the entire state.

In 1932, Old Forge beat Strong Vincent High from Erie 24-19 for the state basketball championship.

Sixty years later in 1992, Old Forge won the Class ""AA" state championship in baseball by beating Ridgway 15-5.

In 2009, the girls' high school softball team lost 1–0 in the state championship.

The winter months also bring more dangerous ice, sleet, and freezing rain.

Tropical storms and hurricanes occasionally survive up the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and cross into Pennsylvania.