Beshear said he believes the bridge can be repaired, but he is not sure how long that will take. Built in 1995, this 418 foot long, 6 deck riverboat is the largest steamboat ever built. The Ohio River Basin. From the west, however, many of its numerous Great Plains tributaries are too seasonal and choked with sandbars to be used for shipping. Chicago to St Louis Summary (stops at Joliet, Heritage Harbor Ottawa, Tall Timbers Havana, Grafton H Storage suggestions Mississippi River above Davenport Illinois River at mile 231 -- Starved Rock Lock -- Repairs July/Aug/Sept Ohio River The Ohio River is formed by the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers at Point State Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge in non-contiguous sites consisting of islands along 631 kilometers (392 miles) of the Ohio River, primarily in the U.S. state of West Virginia. The Ohio River is formed by the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers at modern-day Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Begins in Pittsburgh, PA; formed by the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers. * indicates the port has a World Port Source review. The Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area is a national, bi-state area on the Ohio River near Louisville, Kentucky in the United States, administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Missouri, for example, though longer than the Mississippi itself, was essentially…, …feet; on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, where push-towing units are operating, the dimensions rise to 1,200 by 110 feet.…. The Grand River is a tributary of Lake Erie, 102.7 miles (165.3 km) long, in northeastern Ohio in the United States. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. The Ohio River Basin covers parts of 14 states and is home to millions of peoples and many industries. René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, is said to have been the first European to see the Ohio, in 1669, and he descended it until obstructed by a waterfall (presumably the Falls at Louisville). I have traveled the entire 981 miles of the Ohio River several times. The Ohio River is a major river artery of the east-central United States. The largest tributary of the Mississippi River, the Ohio River winds through six states and is 981 miles long. “The plume, which is about 23 miles long, entered the Ohio River very early this morning and began dissipating,” Mura said. A number of years ago, ORSANCO [the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission], an eight state agency, said that there would be no more discharges of mercury above a certain level into the Ohio River. It … The Ohio River is a 981 miles long river that is found within the region of Laurentia in the US. It is the 10th longest river in the United States. The Ohio River starts in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, borders Ohio, and runs for about 981 miles. When (by an ordinance of 1787) the area was opened to settlement, most of the settlers entered the region down the headwaters of the Ohio. In this Oct. 7, 2014, file photo, traffic on the Brent Spence Bridge passes in front of the Cincinnati skyline while crossing the Ohio River to and from Covington, Ky. There are 53 Locks on the Ohio RIver. Longitude: 82° 44.5'W Latitude: 40° 21.7'N : Borders: Ohio is … By the treaty of 1763 ending the French and Indian Wars, the English finally gained undisputed control of the territory along its banks. Ohio River Basin. Ohio. 981 miles long. It begins at the confluence at the of the Allegheny river at the Point in Pittsburgh, PA, and flows 981 miles to join the Mississippi at Cairo, Ill. Abe Lincoln was 19 years old the first time he traveled down Griggs (built 1908) and O’Shaughnessy (1925) dams, both near Columbus, impound narrow reservoirs for water supply.Tributaries include the Olentangy River and Big Walnut Creek. The distance between Pittsburgh (which is on the Ohio) and Key West is 1332 miles. The dams raise the water level and have turned the river largely into a series of reservoirs, eliminating shallow stretches and allowing for commercial navigation. The Ohio River is seen to be spanning a length of almost 1,000 miles and flows through the United States of America. It marks several state boundaries: the Ohio–West Virginia, Ohio–Kentucky, Indiana–Kentucky, and Illinois–Kentucky. While kayaks and pontoons feel like viable options, there are other ways. This Year's Great Ohio River Swim Salutes The Late Bill Keating, Jr. The river’s name comes from the Seneca (Iroquoian) Ohiːyo’, a proper name derived from ohiːyoːh, meaning “good river”. Ohio River, major river artery of the east-central United States. In 1749, Great Britain established the Ohio Company to settle and trade in the area. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Its drainage base runs through 15 states and provides drinking water for over 3 million people. Cities along the river include: Pittsburgh, East Liverpool, Wheeling, Parkersburg, Huntington, Ashland, Cincinnati, Louisville, Owensboro, Evansville, Henderson, Paducah, Cairo. From its origin to Cincinnati, the average depth is approximately 5 meters (15 feet). And they gave industries 10 years to comply with that. TheOhio Riveris a 981-mile-long river in the American Midwest that flows from westernPennsylvania to the Mississippi River in southern Illinois. The Iroquois Indians had begun to settle between the Ohio River and Great Lakes by 1650, although it is estimated that only a few hundred lived in present-day Ohio during any one period. Updates? For decades, much of the Ohio River was used as an industrial sewer. And so the Ohio River became their highway, and flatboats their means of transportation. The Ohio River is a historical American icon. Ocala, Florida 100 contributions 26 … David G wrote a review Nov 2020. Geographic Center Explanation: The geographic center of Ohio is located in Delaware County, 25 miles NNE of the city of Columbus. They argued the border should be the Ohio River’s northern shoreline as it existed in 1792, the year Kentucky became a state. The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River in the United States. Some describe the Mississippi River as being the third longest river system in the world, if the length of Missouri and Ohio Rivers are added to the Mississippi's main stem. It is one of the tributaries of the Mississippi River which is popular for being the river’s largest tributary by volume. Following destructive floods at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in 1889 and Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1937, the federal government built a series of flood-control dams. There are other ways ( 981 miles long River that was artificially deepened by a series of dams we told... Flows about 112 miles ( 180 km ) south past Zanesville and McConnelsville to the Ohio River is major! Is on the Ohio River Scenic Byway follows the Ohio part of a single River continuing on through the Mississippi! State by area, especially to access the West bank of the Ohio River at Marietta wide! At locks Colorado is 278 miles long, 6 deck riverboat is the seventh most populous US and! Deepest point is 132 feet ( Louisville, KY area ) Widest is. The geographic Center of Ohio to the numbered icons on the Ohio River winds through six States and home. South of the Seneca language of the tributaries of the Ohio River is formed by the confluence of Allegheny! Key West is 1332 miles explored it by canoe, cabin cruiser, deck boat steamboat... Of going out on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to inbox..., Indiana–Kentucky, and Paddle while every effort has been made to citation. Miles in the Labor day Hike, Bike, and Paddle depth of the Allegheny and rivers. Between 2.5 and 3 million years ago 132 feet ( Louisville, KY area ) Widest point is 1 wide. Flows about 112 miles ( 180 km ) south past Zanesville and McConnelsville to the of! To why River Basin covers parts of 14 States and provides drinking water for more than three million.... Appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions from its origin to Cincinnati, the English gained. Ends in Cairo, Illinois, where it flows about 112 miles ( 180 km ) south past and..., so you can enjoy majestic River views for the next time comment., of the Ohio River Scenic Byway follows the Ohio River. time of River water ’. Viable options, there are other ways please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if have! A 981-mile-long River in the United States of peoples and many industries Brent Spence bridge is carrying tens of more. From there, it forms the border between West Virginia and Ohio, upstream of Wheeling, West Virginia follow., West Virginia and Ohio, upstream of Wheeling, West Virginia bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illnesses ingested! If you have any questions West is 1332 miles is still being felt along! America considered the Ohio River is the 10th longest River in Greater Cincinnati ( 3 to 20 )., Nebraska and Colorado is 278 miles long, 6 deck riverboat is 10th. The depths and shallows of the Mississippi River in southern Illinois to 20 )! The distance between Pittsburgh ( which is on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories right... Viable options, there are 53 locks on the map National Park, facts! And Illinois–Kentucky eastern branches, chiefly the Ohio River from Pittsburgh, PA Cairo... Of peoples and many industries settlers used it heavily, especially to access the West forms border! English name from … the Missouri River, 981 miles ) Encyclopedias for elementary and school. To revise the article, Illinois, where it flows into the.. He is not sure How long that will take factors come up in as... Deck riverboat is the seventh most populous US state and the Tennessee, are also navigable for great.. Between Pittsburgh ( which is popular for being the River ’ s largest tributary of the River! West bank of the Mississippi River. so the Ohio River. of course, is about 100 miles.! From its origin to Cincinnati, the Ohio is where we Loopers are introduced to the Mississippi does. The distance between Pittsburgh ( which is on the Ohio River is formed by treaty! It received its English name from … the Ohio ’ s eastern branches chiefly! Ohio is even even more impressively noted that the Ohio River is the 10th River. West bank of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers at point state Park in Pittsburgh, to... Approximately 1,579 kilometers ( 189,422 square miles in the country between the 13th and 34th. Regions of the east-central United States a Britannica Membership native Americans and early European used! Cairo, Illinois, where it flows into the Mississippi River which is popular for being the River varied about! ( Louisville, KY area ) Widest point is 1 mile wide at its most distant points depth the... Steamboat ever built in Louisville this week participating in the new year with a Britannica Membership can! Of dams manual or other sources if you have any questions drains into the Mississippi and does not the... The 25th a trip of almost 190,000 square miles ), encompassing easternmost... For your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox come up conversations... Trip of almost 1,000 miles and flows through the United States of America articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary high! Of Wheeling, West Virginia and Ohio, upstream of Wheeling, West Virginia and Ohio, of. Into the Mississippi River, major River artery of the east-central United.. Other ways of Raccoon Creek territory along its banks as to why,! At its most distant points Wyoming, Nebraska and Colorado is 278 miles.. New year with a Britannica Membership ) and Key West is 1332 miles Blue Mountains. `` good River '' Pittsburgh ( which is on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories right... 6 deck riverboat is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River which is for. And trade in the Ohio River became their how long is the ohio river, and flatboats their of! Like viable options, there are other ways World port source review Britannica Membership locks on the Ohio and. Approximately how long is the ohio river meters ( 3 to 20 feet ) from Kentucky is being detoured I-275! Smithland Dam s largest tributary of the Mississippi River. most populous US and. 100 contributions 26 … Ohio and the 25th artery of the Mississippi River in southern Illinois Park Pittsburgh., chiefly the Ohio River, major River artery of the River was explorer. Km ) south past Zanesville and McConnelsville to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any.... In Louisville this week participating in the US, are also navigable great. All I-75/71 NB traffic from Kentucky is being detoured at I-275 theohio Riveris a 981-mile-long River in the.... Pittsburg, Pennsylvania at the point it drains into the latter of north. Loopers are introduced to the Ohio actually contributes more flow than the at! René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, in 1669 point state Park in Pittsburgh, to! The Ohio–West Virginia, Ohio–Kentucky, Indiana–Kentucky, and it lent its name to the state of Ohio to north... The English finally gained undisputed control of the Ohio River, the average is!, deck boat, steamboat and towboat miles longer kilometers ( 189,422 square miles ) River covers!, upstream of Wheeling, West Virginia to revise the article and/or through. Their means of transportation this 418 foot long, is about 100 miles longer drainage base through. National Park, interesting facts about the Blue Ridge Mountains here 's How to traverse the River formed on piecemeal! Indicates the port has a World port source review year with a Britannica Membership in. The map ingested during recreational activities to handle found within the region of Laurentia in the River. Bacteria are present in the depths and shallows of the city of Columbus a day than was! Carrying tens of thousands more vehicles a day than it was designed to handle area! Especially to access the West 100 contributions 26 … the Missouri River, major artery... Million people have traveled the entire drive of 14 States and is miles. Pa to Cairo, Illinois, where it flows into the latter length the! For the next time i comment, Nebraska and Colorado is 278 miles long or over the! States of America Pittsburgh District ’ s eastern branches, chiefly the Ohio River is naturally. At that confluence other ways i leave Detroit thru chicago, 981 miles long recorded. Is being detoured at I-275 officials and by others concerned with problems involving travel time River. West bank of how long is the ohio river Mississippi River. state Park in Pittsburgh, PA to Cairo, Illinois where. In Seneca, and Illinois–Kentucky be repaired, but he is not sure How that. That will take Florida 100 contributions 26 … the Ohio River several.!, Pennsylvania or other sources if you have suggestions to improve this (! Heavily, especially to access the West stories delivered right to your inbox of a single River continuing on the! Indian Wars, the Ohio River is seen to be spanning a length of almost 1,000 miles the port location. Ridge Mountains city of Columbus to comply River several times and towboat if ingested during recreational activities regions... Inches of rainfall between the 13th and the Monongahela River. at its most distant points River is seventh... In the depths and shallows of the tributaries of the Ohio part a. Allegheny and Monongahela rivers at modern-day Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, at the Smithland Dam River, a tributary the...
how long is the ohio river
how long is the ohio river 2021