Head of the Ohio

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The 2.6 mile course is on the Allegheny River. The start line is just below the 40th. Street Bridge. The actual start is in front of a mooring cell located near the top of Washington’s Landing (formerly, Herr’s Island) on the right descending bank. Washington’s Landing is the island upon which TRRA’s Lambert boathouse is located and near TRRA’s Millvale boathouse. The finish line is just below the Fort Duquesne Bridge less than 500 meters from the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers in downtown Pittsburgh.

The race course is marked with buoys approximately every 250 meters or less on the left and right descending banks. United States Coast Guard Channel Markers (large metal green or red buoys) are not considered official HOTO course buoys. Starting marshals located above the start line will assist as crews order themselves by bow number prior to the start in the customary fashion of a head race. Orange buoys are used to mark the start chute.

All competitors must pass through the CENTER ARCH of all bridges (with the exception of the Fort Wayne RR Bridge where the center arch or the next arch immediately to the starboard side of the boat may be used). Buoys will be placed to help coxswain and steerers to know which arch to pass under. After launching and when finished racing, boats must proceed back to the dock and wait in line for a spot to open on the upstream side of docks.

All competitors are responsible for being familiar with the course. Please consult the course map.  Click the map to view a larger version or to save a copy.

COURSE SAFETY

Competitors and coxswains must review the course maps carefully to locate shallow areas and bad water. The river is closed to all recreational and commercial traffic in accordance with the regulations of the US Coast Guard.

The river must be re-opened every fours hours to allow for passage of river traffic, if any. Be advised that commercial traffic, barges in particular, are likely to cause considerable wakes and that the water may remain unsettled for a long period of time after a barge passes. These will happen during breaks in the regatta schedule.

The regatta - in cooperation with the US Coast Guard - may pass recreational boats during the Regatta. This is only done along the City side of the Allegheny River and is done with an escort at a NO WAKE speed. Be alert when traveling upstream for these boats.

There are at least twelve marshal/official launches spread out throughout the race course. These marshals/officials have communications with the chief referee and the LOC through Race Control. They are in place in order to help to maintain the safety and fairness of the regatta. Please follow their directions.