Bank failure and erosion on the Ohio river

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River bank erosion has benn the focus of recent concern surrounding construction and operation of navigation dams along the Ohio River. Such factors as navigation pool levels, pool fluctuations, and towboat traffic have been alleged to be the cause of severe erosion of Ohio River banks. In this paper available information on Ohio River bank erosion is examined from an historical perspective and from the perspective of recent comprehensive investigations. Historical illustrations, photographs, and published reports indicate a history of significant bank erosion for more than 150 years on the Ohio River. Results of field bank condition reconnaissance studies suggest that construction of navigation dams on the Ohio River has not significantly accelerated or intensified bank erosion. Analysis of erosional mechanisms indicates that bank failure and erosion on the Ohio River are complex and episodic phenomena; however, the principal erosional mechanisms appear to be bank material removal by current tractive forces during flood events and internal erosion of bank materials by bank discharge following floods. It is concluded that waves generated by tow and recreational vessels have little impact on bank stability, but land use changes may affect slope stability and bank erosion.