Lewis and Clark Commemoration will Honor America's Waterways

In 1803 Lewis and Clark received approval from Congress to search for navigable waterways routes to the Pacific Ocean for the purpose of expanding commerce for the young America. Now, nearly 200 years later, that historically significant event will be reenacted and commemorated along the inland waterways beginning on August 31 in Pittsburgh, Pa., and concluding in November in Cairo, Ill. There will be special events throughout this period, including U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-developed exhibits, school curriculum projects, and wooden replica vessels. Events will highlight the value of our modern commercial waterways and how they have changed since Lewis and Clark's early explorations. A consortium of commercial towing companies and related river-based service companies led by Ingram Barge Company (Nashville, TN), are sponsoring a modern Ohio River towing vessel to travel with and in support of the Lewis and Clark re-enactment event. The towing vessel, typical of the modern trade, will follow the re-enactors from Pittsburgh (August 31) to Cairo, IL (November 20) to help communicate re-enactor movements and to make Ohio River cargo carriers moving along the route aware of the activities. In addition, this towing vessel will push the Corps of Engineers' exhibit barge down the river, be available to assist if breakdowns occur aboard the keelboat, and transport a portable dock barge to support the stop at each city on the Ohio River. The public can tour the Corps' exhibit barge and navigation industry towboat, and find informational brochures and historical data about Lewis and Clark. "In the 200 years since Lewis and Clark began their journey, our waterways system has developed into a global artery of commerce for the nation and the world. We are proud to be a part of this special event commemorating our ageless waterways system that is so much a part of our past, our present and our future," said Barry Palmer, President & CEO of Waterways Work!