Week 3 Rivers - The Ohio River

As a resident of Pittsburgh, my original plan was to actually visit the Ohio River...but in light of recent circumstances this will in fact be a virtual visit.  The Ohio River, which forms at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers is one of the great river systems in the United States.

Pictured above shows that the river has been significant in human history for quite some time. By geological standards, the Ohio river is a relatively young river which formed during the end of the last Ice Age (Pleistocene Epoch ), and various parts of the river are estimated to be between 10,000 and 100,000 years old.  In particular of interest is that glacier activity (wisconsin glacier) accounted for a rapid shift southward, destroying the ancient Teays river and forming the modern Ohio.

Due to the existence of the Ohio near many floodplains (Including Pittsburgh), there are many meanders to the ohio river.  

 

As such the Ohio has deposited much of it's alluvium on the floor, and banks that surround.  And for some reason, there is a parking garage...that people pay for...that is in the floodplain of the Ohio. Shown below is an image when the Ohio floods (this is the Mon Wharf parking garage).  This is a frequent occurence especially in the winter when melting waters from the headwaters cause the level to rise, and spill onto the banks. 

Another impressive feature of the Ohio is the size of it's Drainage basin. The Basin extends through 12 US states, and covers an approximate 190,000 square miles.  The river is rapid moving, with a flow of 281,000 cubic feet per second.  Which should be no surprise as it feeds the Mississippi river.

All in all the Ohio River, is an impressive example of a relatively young, glacier origin river system.  It is among the largest in the United states.  It will be one of the first places I visit in person, as soon as it is safe to do so.