in southern Indiana, most of the trail runs atop the earthen-berm floodwall that protects the city of Clarksville from the mighty Ohio River.
Route Details
The Falls of the Ohio Levee Trail can be accessed from either end, and at a variety of points along the way. Following the driving directions provided later, the route assumes you’ve parked at the far eastern trailhead along East Riverside Drive. Regardless, your chances of getting lost in the Mall St. Matthews are much greater than getting lost here.
Beginning from the far eastern trailhead, the paved trail threads a line between the northern bank of the Ohio River and a popular playground area. The downtown Louisville skyline is clearly in view looking across the river. Ten minutes (less than 0.4 mile) of walking will bring you to the underpass of the Contrail Railroad Bridge, and a small overlook of the lowhead dam (also known as a fixed-weir dam) that forms the large pool of water just above the Falls of the Ohio. They’re difficult to see from the overlook, but the shipping locks are behind the far island, on the Kentucky side of the river.
At this point, two islands divide the Ohio River into three distinct chutes of water. Nearest you, on the Indiana side of the river, is the Indian Chute (the “hero” route for early canoeists); on the far side, the Kentucky Chute holds the locks; and between the two is the Middle Chute. Goose Island, between the Indian and Middle Chutes, is protected as part of Falls of the Ohio State Park. The island contains several fossil beds and plays host to various habitats dominated by willow and cottonwood trees, and prairie grass. Access to the island is by private boat only.
Another 10 minutes (about 0.4 mile) of walking brings you to the Falls of the Ohio Interpretive Center and better views of the river below the dam. The pool of water formed by the dam obscures the falls, but the water spewing from the release valves provides for plenty of action as the river races along the bumpy riverbed. Occasionally you might see whitewater kayakers working on their eddy turns and peelouts in the swift current, or oar rigs practicing for a trip on the Colorado River. But be forewarned—this place is not safe for swimming, for man or beast. Keep Fido on a short leash, and restrain yourself from lobbing that limb into the strong current.
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