Towboats navigate through the frozen waters of the Monongahela River during sunrise in Pittsburgh, Jan. 22, 2025.
A clash of blues and oranges tones met during the sunrise over icy rivers in Pittsburgh.
During most winters, the Allegheny River is the first of the three major Pittsburgh rivers to freeze. Eventually, chunks of ice from the Allegheny float to converge with the Monongahela River, and together they form the Ohio River.
Because the Monongahela flows from the south, it usually brings warmer water than the Allegheny. Normally, the two rivers form a contrast of icy waters converging at the city’s point to create a slushy mixture.
Ice can form hazards, especially if the temperatures warm rapidly after a freeze. The thaw can cause large ice barges to break away in mass, which can damage vessels and personal property. When the ice melts rapidly, it can also cause flooding conditions along the riverbanks or downstream.
Thick ice can also slow down commercial navigation, which relies on the rivers to transport commodities such as coal in large quantities through the region.
The U.S. army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District operates locks year-round to support inland navigation in all weather conditions, regardless of ice or snow.
The Pittsburgh District operates 23 total locks and dams throughout the year in all weather conditions, including winter, regardless of snow and ice. The facilities provide lockages for approximately 50,000 vessels carrying 140 million tons of commodities annually along 328 miles of navigable waterways. The locks also provide free passage to approximately 22,2000 recreational lockages each year on the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers combined.
Lock operators and maintenance workers are just two of the many career opportunities the Pittsburgh District offers. Approximately 800 employees who specialize in a wide range of disciplines work for the district.
(U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District photo by Michel Sauret)
| Date Taken: | 01.22.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 01.23.2025 14:08 |
| Photo ID: | 8839902 |
| VIRIN: | 250122-A-TI382-2341 |
| Resolution: | 6000x4000 |
| Size: | 5.69 MB |
| Location: | PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 30 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Sunfire and Ice: Towboats navigate through frozen rivers during Pittsburgh sunrise [Image 27 of 27], by Michel Sauret, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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