Emergency Contacts

Emergency Contacts

Emergency Telephone Numbers

• All areas Dial 911
• Pittsburgh River Rescue - 412.323.7260
• U.S. Coast Guard - 800.253.7465
• U.S. Coast Guard Sewickley Station - 412.741.1180 

Emergency Radio Use

Distress calls are made on Marine VHF Radio Channel 16, the national distress frequency, using the following procedure:

• Select channel 16.
• State "mayday, mayday, mayday".
• Identify yourself and provide your call sign and boat name.
• Give the location of your craft.
• Describe the emergency.
• If no answer, repeat the same sequence and wait.

Navigation Rules

U.S. Aids to Navigation System

The Navigation Rules establish a consistent way to navigate safely and avoid collisions when two boats are crossing paths, are on course to meet head-on, or when one boat wishes to overtake another.

The U.S. Aids to Navigation System is a system maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard, consisting of visual, audible, and electronic signals, which are designed to assist the prudent mariner in the process of navigation. The aids to navigation system is not intended to identify every shoal or obstruction to navigation which exists in the navigable waters of the United States, but rather provides for reasonable marking of marine features as resources permit.

For further information, please visit the U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Resource Center or download a copy of the U.S. Coast Guard's Aids to Navigation System.

Streamflow & Gage Height

National Weather Service Flows and Velocities

Ohio River Flow and Velocity Forecast

National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service

Ohio River at Pittsburgh

Ohio River at Emsworth Lock & Dam

Ohio River at Dashields Lock & Dam

Ohio River at Montgomery Lock & Dam

Ohio River at Wellsville

U.S. Geological Survey Gage Height

Monongahela River Main Stem

USGS 03085152 Monongahela River at Point State Park at Pittsburgh

Chartiers Creek Basin

USGS 03085500 Chartiers Creek at Carnegie, PA

Ohio River Main Stem

USGS 03085730 Ohio River at Emsworth Dam Upper Pool @ Emsworth & Upper Pool 2                                               

USGS 03085734 Ohio River at Emsworth Dam Lower Pool @ Emsworth                                                         

USGS 03086000 Ohio River at Sewickley, PA & Upper Pool 2                                                  

USGS 03086001 Ohio River (lower pool) at Sewickley, PA & Lower pool 2                                                      

USGS 03108490 Ohio River at Montgomery Dam & Locks at Ohioview, PA & Upper Stage 2                             

USGS 03108500 Ohio River at Montgomery Lock & Dam, Lower Pool & Lower Stage 2                           

Beaver River Basin

USGS 03101500 Shenango River at Pymatuning Dam, PA                                                    

USGS 03102500 Little Shenango River at Greenville, PA                                                      

USGS 03102850 Shenango River near Transfer, PA                                                 

USGS 03103500 Shenango River at Sharpsville, PA                                                 

USGS 03105500 Beaver River at Wampum, PA                                                       

USGS 03106000 Connoquenessing Creek near Zelienople, PA                                                          

USGS 03106300 Muddy Creek near Portersville, PA                                                 

USGS 03106500 Slippery Rock Creek at Wurtemburg, PA                                                     

USGS 03107500 Beaver River at Beaver Falls, PA   

Raccoon Creek Basin

USGS 03108000 Raccoon Creek at Moffatts Mill, PA                                                                                            

Restricted & Danger Areas

Restricted Areas

Areas immediately upstream and downstream of the Ohio River navigation dams are designated “Restricted Areas.”

Near the downstream side of a gated dam, powerful reverse currents, commonly called backlash, draw boats in an upstream direction into the dam where there are capsized or smashed against the structure. Furthermore, an additional hazard exists near the lock discharge structures, which are located adjacent to the downstream river wall of the lock chamber. When the water in the locks is released during each locking operation, sudden turbulent boils are created which can capsize a boat venturing too near. This turbulence becomes more severe as the downstream pool falls to lower elevations. On the upstream side of the dam, there is a strong undertow created by the flow of water through the gated section of the dam. Boats approaching too closely from the upstream side are in danger of being lodged against the dam or capsized by the undertow. The nature of these river conditions emphasizes the serious danger to boaters and anglers who operate their craft near either the upstream or the downstream side of a dam. Vessel operators who enter these areas risk their lives and property and often preclude necessary gate operations of the locks and dams. Anglers often fish in the tailwaters below the dam gates because the fishing is good, however, that fishing from a boat in these waters can be fatal.

Danger Area

To supplement the restricted areas, the remaining area downstream of each dam, extending to the end of the long wall has been established as a Danger Area. All boaters and anglers are urged to wear Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs) within this area, since these waters are frequently turbulent. Vessel operators should also heed the warning sirens, which indicate that project personnel will be increasing flow from the dam or releasing water within the lock discharge areas. These sirens will be operated for a period of 30 seconds, after which, there will be a 3-minute delay prior to a release of water.

Navigators should become fully aware of the Restricted and Danger Area boundaries prior to operating their craft within the vicinity of a lock and dam facility. The Restricted Areas are shown in the current publication of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, “Ohio River Navigation Charts; Cairo, IL to Foster, KY.” Navigators should also observe all warning signs or marker buoys located within the area of each locks and dam structure. The marker buoys are illustrated with reflective orange bands and waterway symbols, and black wording on a white background. Buoys with the words “KEEP OUT” have, as their symbol, a cross enclosed within a diamond. Buoys designated as “DANGER DAM” are denoted with a diamond symbol.

Resticted Area Regulations

The regulations pertaining to the Restricted Areas are contained within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ “Regulations Prescribed by the Secretary of the Army for Ohio River, Mississippi River above Cairo, IL and their tributaries; Use, Administration, and Navigation” (Blue Book).

These regulations are as follows:

33 CFR 207.300 “(s) Restricted Areas at Locks and Dams. All waters immediately above and below each dam, as posted by the respective District Engineers, are hereby designated as Restricted Areas. No vessel or other floating craft shall enter any such restricted area at any time. The limits of the restricted areas at each dam will be determined by the responsible District Engineer and marked by signs and/or flashing red lights installed in conspicuous and appropriate places.” Lockmasters will enforce adherence to these regulations and, if required, solicit aid from local law enforcement officers. In the interest of public safety, please tell other boaters or anglers about the dangers of boating near lock and dam structures.