Ohio River, River in eastern United States
The river flows west from the meeting of two smaller waterways in Pittsburgh through several states until it reaches the Mississippi at Cairo. The waterway forms natural borders between different regions of the country along its entire length and varies in width from several hundred feet in some areas to more than half a mile in others.
Flatboats and steamships dominated the movement of goods and people between the East Coast and western territories during the 19th century. The river system enabled the settlement of new lands and became a major commercial route that connected distant communities and facilitated trade across growing regions.
Anglers and recreational boaters use the riverside parks and boat launches throughout warmer months for weekend outings and fishing. Many small river towns host festivals and markets along the waterfront where locals gather to celebrate their connection to the water and its traditions.
Numerous overlooks and riverside parks provide access to the water and views of the channel in different cities along its course. Visitors can explore waterfront walkways at multiple locations that allow for strolling and observing passing barge traffic while remaining free to access throughout the day.
More than twenty lock structures regulate the depth and allow large freight tows to navigate elevation changes along the course. These installations lift or lower vessels depending on their direction of travel and enable continuous cargo movement from the Appalachians to the Deep South.
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