The combined talents of seven nonprofit newsrooms spanning five of the 15 states in the Ohio River Watershed have produced a new Good River - Stories Of The Ohio website about the environment, economy and culture of the Ohio River Watershed.

And yes, Pennsylvania is in the Ohio River Watershed.  The western third of the state forms the headwaters of the Ohio River.

The Ohio River provides drinking water for five million people. It’s a thoroughfare of business, supporting jobs and communities. But did you know that it’s also commonly cited as the most polluted river in the United States?

Their journalists will share with you the beauty of the Ohio River and its watershed, exemplifying all that could be lost if the threats facing it are not addressed. The watershed faces many perils — from industrial polluters and agricultural runoff to weakening of the federal Clean Water Act and climate change.

The watershed isn’t an issue for only those on one side of the aisle. Drinking water quality, livelihoods supported by the river and its tributaries, the health and future of our watershed communities — these should not be partisan issues.

Here some examples from the 24 stories posted so far--

-- Pittsburgh-Area Test Case In Working Across Political Boundaries To Address Flooding

-- The Complicated History Of The Kinzua Dam

-- Paddling 300 Miles To Protect The Waters Of The Ohio

-- Rethinking ORSANCO: How The Agency’s Role Has Changed Over Time

-- Could The Ohio River Have Rights?

Visit the Good River - Stories Of The Ohio website to read more.

The project launched in November 2019 with a regular publication schedule through early February 2019. In spring/early summer 2020, we’ll be finding out what watershed-native wildlife graced the cameras set up by a photographer we’re working with through the National Geographic Society.

The participating newsrooms include-- 100 days in Appalachia; The Allegheny Front; Belt Magazine; Environmental Health News; Eye on Ohio, the Ohio Center for Investigative Journalism; Louisville Public Media (Ohio Valley ReSource, WFPL, Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting); and PublicSource

If you have comments, questions or suggestions about the Good River project, please reach out to Halle Stockton at PublicSource by emailing halle@publicsource.org or calling 412-515-0065.

[Ohio River Basin Alliance

[Want to get involved in issues affecting the Ohio River Watershed in Western Pennsylvania?  Visit the Ohio River Basin Alliance website to learn more.

[How Clean Is Your Stream?

[DEP’s Interactive Water Quality Report Viewer allows you to zoom in on your own stream or watershed to find out how clean your stream is or if it has impaired water quality using the latest information in the draft 2020 Water Quality Report.]

(Photo: The Allegheny and Monongahila Rivers join in Pittsburgh to form the Ohio River.)

Related Articles:

-- Reminder: Sept. 30 - Oct. 2 Virtual Ohio River Basin Summit & Symposium Call For Presentations, Posters; Registration Open

-- Ohio River Basin Alliance Discusses Threats To The Ohio River Watershed With PA Stakeholders In Online Forum; Calls For Action

-- Ohio River Valley Institute Announced To Promote Sustainable Economic Strategies In Ohio Valley, Western PA

[Posted: Sept. 4, 2020]

9/7/2020