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and a careful study of the figures would seem to indicate that the total water-borne traffic of the Allegheny River in 1909 amounted to about one and three-quarter (1-3/4) million tons of cargo or three and one-half (3-1/2) million tons gross displacement, including cargoes, barges, tugs and all vessels.

The water-borne commerce on this river is of the cheapest character, consisting almost entirely of sand and gravel dredged from the rivers and coal floated down the Monongahela and delivered along the shores. All this sand, gravel and coal is carried in low-lying barges or scows moved by tugs or towboats.

A small amount of package freight comes in and leaves by packet boats.

TABLE No. 4
TONNAGE PASSING DAM NO. 1 DURING YEAR 1909.
(OBTAINED FROM UNITED STATES ENGINEERS)

Coal	231,232 tons
Other iron or steel products	428 tons
Sand	132,894 tons
Gravel	123,579 tons
Brick	75 tons
Stone	3,869 tons
Timber	8,519 tons
Lumber	3,519 tons
Pit posts	13,950 tons
Braces	600 tons
Railroad ties	6,650 tons
Wood	45 tons
General merchandise	3,119 tons
New barges	2,628 tons
New boats (coal)	3,940 tons
Manure	1,000 tons
Bark	455 tons

The average value of the freight based on prices prevailing in 1910 is about $3 a ton. The average value of the carriers is about $65 a ton. As there is a slightly greater weight of freight than carrier, an average of $30 per ton would be a fair estimate of the value of freight and carriers. The total value of the waterborne traffic of the Allegheny River for the year under the various bridges would, therefore, be about $105,000,000.

The passenger traffic on the river is so small that it may be considered negligible. It is estimated at 35,000, largely pleasure traffic in small boats.

About one-third as much tonnage goes through Lock No. 2

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Last modified on 22-Dec 1999
Design format: copyright 1997-1999 Bruce S. Cridlebaugh
Original document: Frederick Law Olmsted, 1910