Ohio River Facts
Ohio River Facts
Map of the ohio river basin

Ohio River Basin

Fast Facts

  • Begins in Pittsburgh, PA; formed by the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers
  • Ends in Cairo, IL; emptying into the Mississippi river
  • 981 miles long
  • Average depth is ~24 feet
  • Deepest point is 132 feet (Louisville, KY area)
  • Widest point is 1 mile wide at the Smithland Dam
  • 20 dams along the river
  • 49 power generating facilities along the river
  • Over 230 million tons of cargo traverse the river annually
States & Major Cities Along River

  • Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh)
  • West Virginia (Huntington)
  • Ohio (Cincinnati)
  • Kentucky (Louisville)
  • Indiana (Evansville)
  • Illinois
West Virginia Records

  • Blue Catfish – 30 lbs (2009)
  • Bowfin – 9 lbs (2006)
  • Sauger – 4.75 lbs (1985)

Ohio Records

  • Blue Catfish – 96 lbs (2009)
  • Longnose Gar – 25 lbs (1966)
Kentucky Records

  • Blue Catfish – 104 lbs (1999)
  • Channel Catfish – 32 lbs (2004)
  • Longnose Gar – 40 lbs (1956)
  • Paddlefish – 106 lbs (2004)
  • Saugeye – 6.6 lbs (1998)

Indiana Records

  • Blue Catfish – 104 lbs (1999)
  • Striped Bass – 35 lbs (1993)