Ohio River

From FEMA To ORSANCO: This Week's Top Stories

By • Jun 7, 2019
ce friday
Jim Nolan / WVXU

This week FEMA investigators are in Ohio trying to assess the damage caused by tornadoes that hit the state Memorial Day. The National Weather Service confirmed 21 tornadoes struck in the state, damaging thousands of homes, apartments and commercial buildings.

ORSANCO Approves Change To Water Quality Standard Protocols

By • Jun 6, 2019
Bill Rinehart / WVXU

States in the Ohio River basin will be able to choose whether or not to follow pollution control standards set by the Ohio River Water Sanitation Commission. ORSANCO's board of directors approved the change at a meeting in Covington Thursday morning.

Public Comment Welcome At Thursday Meeting Of ORSANCO Directors

By • Jun 5, 2019
Bill Rinehart / WVXU

The directors of the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission are meeting in Covington this week to plan for the future. The board has been considering a change to water quality standards for more than a year, and could make a decision at Thursday's meeting.

Bunbury Music Festival Adjusts For Mother Nature

By • May 30, 2019
bunbury cvg stage
Bill Rinehart / WVXU

One of the stages at Bunbury is moving. The CVG stage is normally set up at the bottom of the Serpentine Wall, but with the Ohio River expected to rise four feet by Sunday, it's being relocated to higher ground.

A Review Of The Ohio River Plan ORSANCO Is Floating

By • Apr 5, 2019
ohio river
Pete Rightmire / WVXU

The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) is considering a new plan on water quality for the Ohio River. A previous plan, issued last year, would have reduced ORSANCO's oversight and allowed states to regulate discharges into the river.

ORSANCO Sets Dates For River Standards Hearings

By • Mar 6, 2019
Bill Rinehart / WVXU

The commission that sets standards for pollution in the Ohio River has been considering dropping those standards, but will accept more public comment before making a decision. The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) has two webinars and three public hearings scheduled.

Ohio River Body Proposes Revised Pollution Control Plan

By • Feb 14, 2019
Ann Thompson / WVXU

The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) is considering a new plan on water quality for the Ohio River, which is not as drastic as the first. Initially, the group had proposed eliminating pollution control standards and instead rely entirely on states to regulate discharges into the river.

Ohio River To Crest Sooner, Lower Than Earlier Expected

By • Feb 12, 2019
Bill Rinehart / WVXU

The Ohio River won't crest as high or as late as first thought. The National Weather Service now expects the highpoint to be 55.5 feet in Cincinnati at about 7 p.m. Tuesday. Hamilton County Emergency Management Director Nick Crossley says earlier predictions were above 56 feet.

ORSANCO Punts on Decision to Eliminate Water Quality Standards for the Ohio River

By Brittany Patterson • Oct 5, 2018

A multi-state commission charged with protecting the Ohio River decided Thursday to postpone a decision to dramatically alter pollution controls.

The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission, or ORSANCO, has been considering a proposal that would reduce its oversight of water pollution control standards along the Ohio River. The proposal, called "option 2" would eliminate the body's water pollution control standards for industrial and municipal wastewater discharges into the river.

Clean Water Standards For Ohio River Have Allies In Hamilton County

By • Oct 1, 2018
Bill Rinehart / WVXU

Hamilton County commissioners are opposed to a change in river quality standards.

The board said so in a resolution as the Ohio River Sanitation Commission considers an update to standards for the Ohio River. The update would bring ORSANCO's standards in line with EPA Clean Water Act.

Here's Your Chance To Swim Across The Ohio River

By Dan Hurley • Sep 10, 2018
ohio river swim
Courtesy Great Ohio River Swim

The Bill Keating, Jr. Great Ohio River Swim takes place Sunday, September 23. Participants enter the water at the Serpentine Wall, swim across the river to Newport and then back, finishing at the Public Landing – a total distance of about 900 meters.

ORSANCO Public Comment Period On Ohio River Pollution Standards Ends Monday

By • Aug 20, 2018
ohio river
Bill Rinehart / WVXU

People concerned with Ohio River pollution have until midnight on Monday to weigh in on proposed standard changes.

Preview Paddlefest 2018

By Dan Hurley • Jul 31, 2018
paddlefest
Courtesy Paddlefest

The 17th Ohio River Paddlefest takes place this Saturday, August 4. Recognized as the largest paddling event in the United States, the 2018 Paddlefest will bring more than 2,000 people from 20-plus states to Cincinnati to celebrate the beauty and recreational benefits of the Ohio River.

Why Is A Local Aquarium Making The Rounds In Chicago?

By • Jul 16, 2018
Courtesy Shedd Aquarium

An Ohio River education and watchdog group is loaning its mobile exhibit to Chicago's Shedd Aquarium for the summer.

Expert Tips To Enjoy The Ohio River Safely This Summer

By Dan Hurley • May 22, 2018
ohio river safety
Pete Rightmire / WVXU

Each year thousands of recreational boaters enjoy our stretch of the Ohio River. But boaters out on the water for fun have to share the river with commercial traffic, typically towboats that, with their barges, can reach up to 1,200-feet long – more than the length of an aircraft carrier.

Flood Damage Costs May Be Enough For Federal Aid

By & • Mar 12, 2018
Bill Rinehart / WVXU

Hamilton County may have enough flood damage to qualify for federal and state disaster aid. Emergency Management Director Nick Crossley says one building was destroyed, 59 had major damage, and more than 350 had minor damage.

Wednesday Deadline For Reporting Hamilton County Flood Damage

By • Mar 5, 2018
flooded streets in the East End, house in distance
Bill Rinehart / WVXU

Time is running out to report flood damage in Hamilton County. Ryan McEwan with Emergency Management said the agency wants reports in by Wednesday so they can turn them over to the state by Friday.

Why Was This Flood Different From Previous Events?

By • Mar 2, 2018
flooded fields seen through trees
Bill Rinehart / WVXU

The Ohio River is slowly falling back to pre-flood levels. As communities start to clean up, there are some calling for a fresh look at how human activity affects flooding.

A Clermont County Lake Helps Prevent Major Flooding In Cincinnati

By • Mar 2, 2018
Jay Hanselman / WVXU

Editor's note: This story was first published in March 2018.   

Many people associate Harsha Lake at East Fork State Park in Clermont County with boating and recreation. While those activities are important, that's not the reason it was built.

Hamilton County Leaders Want Disaster Reports As Soon As Possible

By • Feb 26, 2018
Bill Rinehart / WVXU

Updated 5:10 p.m.

Hamilton County disaster officials are still trying to get a handle on the scope of flood damage this week. The Ohio River was still above 59 feet, Monday afternoon, which puts it in moderate flood stage.

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