Current River Issues
More than 25 million people in 14 different states call the Ohio River watershed home. The issues impacting the watershed’s environmental and human health are varied, but focused attention by citizens, government, agriculture, and industry can protect and improve its condition, now and in the future.
The Ohio River and its watershed have seen significant improvements in water quality and health since the Clean Water Act and other laws were enacted in the 1970s. However, the river faces many new and complicated challenges. With collaboration among its many partners in the environmental community, government officials and forward-thinking companies, ORF believes that we can address many of the Ohio River’s challenges. This will continue to strengthen the watershed’s environment and its value to everyone living within its boundaries.