T nODAY the Ohio River carries far more inland waterway commerce than any other river in the United States and about twice the paid commerce of the Panama Canal.' Yet 25 years ago many people questioned its potentialities and many are still unaware of its present significance. After a stormy debate as to the feasibility and need of providing a minimum 9-foot constant navigation channel in the Ohio, such a project was authorized in 1910 and construction completed in 1929. Now, after using the waterway for 25 years, it seems appropriate briefly to: (1) present the primary arguments for and against the proposal; (2) characterize the growth and nature of water traffic; and (3) discuss plans for future improvement of the channel.