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Navigation

Navigation was the Corps of Engineers’ earliest Civil Works mission, dating to Federal laws in 1824 authorizing and funding the Corps to improve safety on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and several ports. The Corps provides safe, reliable, efficient, and environmentally sustainable waterborne transportation systems (channels, harbors, and waterways) for movement of commerce, national security needs, and recreation.

Did You Know?

  • 41 States (including all east of the Mississippi River) are served by Corps ports and waterways
  • Nearly 12,000 miles of inland and intracoastal shallow-draft waterways (9- to 14-foot draft) and 13,000 miles of greater than 14-foot deep channels, for a total of 25,000 miles are operated and maintained for commerce
  • 236 lock chambers at 191 lock sites on 41 waterways serve commerce
  • Deepest lock is John Day Lock on the Columbia River at 110 feet
  • 926 coastal, Great Lakes and inland harbors are maintained by the Corps

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