- George Washington, returning in the fall of 1783 from a tour of the Mohawk Valley, wrote to a friend concerning the Nation's natural waterways: "Prompted by these actual observations, I could not help taking a more extensive view of the vast inland navigation of these United States and importance of it, and with the goodness of that Providence, which has dealt is favors to us with so profuse a hand. Would to God we had the wisdom enough to improve them."
- Our nation enjoys a vast inland waterways system, a combination of rivers and canals, locks and dams, that provides America with safe, efficient and environmentally friendly transportation for the building blocks of our economy.
- While they are often out of sight,out of mind, waterways are critical to keeping our domestic supply chain competitive. There is a $20.37-per-ton cost savings for shipping on the inland waterways; this translates to farmer, shipper, and consumer cost savings.
- Without waterborne cargo, our domestic products would congest the Nation's truck and rail lines, dramatically increasing costs for those within our borders.
The fourth “R” for rivers and its aging infrastructure – can’t be forgotten among Roads, Railways and Runways. Our waterways allow the nation’s critical commodities – grain, coal, agricultural inputs, steel, petroleum products, chemicals, and aggregate materials – to be used domestically and to reach export markets in the most cost-competitive way.
Annual appropriations for waterways infrastructure must remain strong and efficient for the exports that are expected to increase, and to alleviate congestion on roads and rail that are at capacity. Support the highest funding levels for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works mission to modernize our waterways system that benefits the nation.
Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock Report/Draft SEIS
Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock Report/Draft SEIS Comment Letters (WCI/GICA)
WCI Comment Letter, February 9, 2017
Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association Comment Letter, February 8, 2017
Other Background Materials: TTI Transportation Modal Comparison Study; Navigation Coalition Letter; Congress Urges FY20 NESP funding; NGFA FY 2017 funding letter and more…
Joint Letter from Congress Urging NESP Funding in FY ’20, April 4, 2019
Navigation Coalition Letter to House Appropriators urging efficient FY ’17 funding, February 7, 2017
Letter from key Senators urging funding for NESP in FY ’17, March 11, 2016
Priority Projects and Current Completion Dates
Inland Waterways Trust Fund Year-End Balances 2009-2018
IWUB Advice and Recommendations to Congress on FY19 President’s Budget, April 13, 2018
Inland Waterways Users Board 31st Annual Report 2018
 A Strong Inland Waterways System Delivers a Stronger American Economy. Learn more about the important research of the National Waterways Foundation in support of our inland waterways transportation system. |
 Waterways: Vital to the Nation (Highlights of “Toward a Full Accounting of the Beneficiaries of Navigable Waterways” (January 2011) |
- Savannah River has proven to be key ingredient in Augusta's downtown developmentMay 21, 2019 - The Augusta Chronicle
- Iowa infrastructure grades improve slightlyMay 5, 2019 - The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
- Augusta approves more money for Lock and Dam fightMay 2, 2019 - The Augusta Chronicle
- Severe Flooding Omaha to Southern Wisconsin - 50s Possible Late Next Week Mar 19, 2019 - Star Tribune
- Trump Budget Proposes Funds to Finish Lower Mon Locks and Dam Project Mar 15, 2019 -
- More ideas emerge about how to fix lock and dam Mar 11, 2019 - The Augusta Chronicle
