The Ohio River Way’s mission is to help people find adventure, inspire care for the land and water, and boost the economies of Ohio River communities. It does this by building partnerships that promote safe, healthy outdoor recreation, education and tourism. 

The Ohio River Way believes the Ohio River can become a nationally recognized destination for people who love the outdoors. Since our launch in 2019, our team has built a coalition of more than 100 communities and organizations along the river committed to realizing that vision. Working in partnership with the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, & Conservation Assistance Program (NPS-RTCA), the Ohio River Way provides support to communities in their recreation planning and as they pursue funding opportunities.

• Over 5 million people depend on the Ohio River as their primary source of drinking water.

• The Ohio River’s headwaters begin at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers. From there, it curves through Appalachia and forms the border between the Midwest and the South before flowing into the Mississippi. Along the way, it touches six states: Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois.

• Of the 10 Most Endangered Rivers of 2023, the Ohio River is ranked second behind the Colorado River. Parts of the Colorado River are running dry to do overuse, a megadrought, and climate change. 

• Among the many sources of pollutants in the Ohio River’s 204,000 square mile watershed are coal fired power plants, steel and aluminum manufacturers, petrochemical plants, and industrial agriculture.

• The Ohio River is frequently called the “most toxic river in the nation”. That statement misrepresents the truth. It is true that the Ohio River basin has the most toxic discharge by sheer weight. In 2020, the Ohio faced nearly 41 million pounds of pollution. However, the volume of the Ohio River drastically dilutes these pollutants. For example, the Ohio’s primary pollutant is nitrate. ORSANCO routinely monitors for nitrate levels and repeatedly finds in-river concentrations that are 1/10th the allowable level.