Ohio River News - The Waterways Journal

River Discovery Center Increases Industry Ties 260816_River Discovery Center_pic 2

River Discovery Center Increases Industry Ties

August 21, 2026

When Lindsey Launius describes the last year at the River Discovery Center in Paducah, Ky., she uses one word repeatedly: momentum. Launius, the river museum’s executive director, described… Read More

Breakaway Barge Hits Dredge On Ohio River Several nearby towboats gathered 11 breakaway barges near the Milton-Madison Bridge, Ohio River Mile 557, on August 13. One of the barges hit a dredge. (Photo courtesy of Carroll County EMS/EMA)

Several nearby towboats gathered 11 breakaway barges near the Milton-Madison Bridge, Ohio River Mile 557, on August 13. One of the barges hit a dredge. (Photo courtesy of Carroll County EMS/EMA)

Breakaway Barge Hits Dredge On Ohio River

August 14, 2026

No one was injured, but a dredge was hit August 13 when 11 barges broke away from their tow. “Our understanding is that when a towing vessel was transiting in… Read More

Point Pleasant River Museum Launches Donation Campaign Capt. Brian Patterson, construction operations manager for Amherst Madison, presents a check to Dainna Mitchell, director of the Point Pleasant River Museum, to support the expansion of the museum’s simulator locations. (Photo courtesy of the Point Pleasant River Museum)

Capt. Brian Patterson, construction operations manager for Amherst Madison, presents a check to Dainna Mitchell, director of the Point Pleasant River Museum, to support the expansion of the museum’s simulator locations. (Photo courtesy of the Point Pleasant River Museum)

Point Pleasant River Museum Launches Donation Campaign

August 14, 2026

A donation from Amherst Madison to the Point Pleasant River Museum & Lakin Ray Cook Learning Center has launched a fundraising campaign to support the expansion of its towboat… Read More

A 103-Year-Old Showboat May Have A Home At Last The Majestic tied at Greenup, Ky., June 30, 2026. (Photo from the author’s collection)

A 103-Year-Old Showboat May Have A Home At Last

July 31, 2026

The stern line rumor mill was flying last week with talk that the Showboat Majestic may finally have a home to go to. Showboats were once a common… Read More

Paducah Nears Completion Of Riverfront Park Lettering spelling out “Port of Paducah” faces the river at the newly renovated Shultz Park in Paducah, Ky. The park was funded in large part by a $10.4 million federal BUILD grant. Construction is expected to wrap up this month. (Photo courtesy of the city of Paducah)

Lettering spelling out “Port of Paducah” faces the river at the newly renovated Shultz Park in Paducah, Ky. The park was funded in large part by a $10.4 million federal BUILD grant. Construction is expected to wrap up this month. (Photo courtesy of the city of Paducah)

Paducah Nears Completion Of Riverfront Park

July 31, 2026

The city of Paducah, Ky., is nearing completion on its new riverboat excursion pier and a complete reimagining of its riverfront park. The project is being completed as… Read More

Emma Rose Delivered To Bellaire Harbor Service Emma Rose and tow upbound below Marietta, Ohio. (Photo by Capt. C.R. Neale)

Emma Rose Delivered To Bellaire Harbor Service

July 24, 2026

From June 29 to July 2, 2026, a small crew delivered the newly renamed Emma Rose from BB Riverboats’ landing at Newport, Ky., Ohio River Mile 470, to Bellaire… Read More

BUILD Grant To Fund Jeffersonville Port Expansion

July 10, 2026

Ports of Indiana announced July 7 that it has been awarded a $25 million federal Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant that will support a $32 million… Read More

$24 Million Grant Advances Paducah Port A $24 million federal BUILD grant, paired with a required 20 percent match through a Kentucky grant program, will allow construction of the first phase of the Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority’s Riverport West Project at Ohio River Mile 944. This rendering shows the 650-foot dock with three barge berths and two rail sidings. (Image courtesy of Bacon Farmer Workman Engineering)

A $24 million federal BUILD grant, paired with a required 20 percent match through a Kentucky grant program, will allow construction of the first phase of the Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority’s Riverport West Project at Ohio River Mile 944. This rendering shows the 650-foot dock with three barge berths and two rail sidings. (Image courtesy of Bacon Farmer Workman Engineering)

$24 Million Grant Advances Paducah Port

July 10, 2026

A $24 million federal Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant will allow the first phase of construction on the Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority’s Riverport West project. Read More

The John J. Kelly Began As A Steamboat The John J. Kelly at Pittsburgh after the 1943 rebuilding. (Photo from the author’s collection)

The John J. Kelly Began As A Steamboat

July 2, 2026

One of the growing companies operating on the inland rivers today is Hines Furlong Line, which traces its history back some five generations to Capt. Richard T. Williams, who… Read More

House Panel Passes FY27 Energy, Water Development Bill

May 29, 2026

The House Appropriations Committee marked up and passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies appropriations bill May 20. The bill includes approximately $9.8… Read More