The Ohio River's Many Dams and LocksThe Ohio River is known to be widely used for transportation. The river is completely free of obstacles, except for one: The Falls Of The Ohio. This is the reason that dams and locks are found all over the river. Locks are areas where boats go, and when they go in, the gate shuts behind them and the water level is lowered to match the water level after the drop off.
Fun Facts
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The Falls Of The Ohio created towns.In 1778, George Rogers Clark established the first permanent English-speaking settlement in the Northwest Territory on Corn Island. Later, he moved to live on the shore and founded Clarksville. His homesite, below the Falls, is now part of the state park, though his cabin no longer exists.
( http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2984.htm ) |
Limestone proved to be an obstacle to sailors.Hard limestone layers presented an obstacle to navigation for early explorers and settlers. This was the only place between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, (where the Ohio River starts) and New Orleans, Louisiana, where boats had to cross dangerous rapids, low water levels, and barriers of rock.
( http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2984.htm ) |
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