Characteristics of US Inland Waterways

The inland waterway system of the United States is dominated by the Mississippi River and its tributaries. This chapter presents a physical/environmental description of some of the major US waterways. The Upper Mississippi, Ohio, and Columbia systems are characterized by relatively low sediment loads, stable channels, and lock-and-dam type improvements. The Missouri and Middle and Lower Mississippi Rivers are alluvial rivers transporting large quantities of fine sediment. Water quality is generally excellent compared to other major waterways; however, nitrogen supersaturation impacts on anadromous fish are a prime concern. The Red River Waterway provides a 200 ft wide ×9 ft deep channel for barge traffic from the Mississippi River to Shreveport, Louisiana. The Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway is the most extensive shipping channel and lock system in North America. The navigation system is 2,038 nautical miles long and extends from the Atlantic Ocean to Duluth, Minnesota.