Sometimes, a city you used to often visit, a long time ago.... maybe a decade or two ago, revives itself in your mind, due to one or more factors. Plus, myself been a life-long fan of rivers (small or big), I was especially thinking today of the confluence of the three rivers in Pittsburgh, a place I used to regularly visit (or transit through) in one phase of my life. There are major U.S. Intestates (most seen in my images below) that either go directly through Pittsburgh downtown or bypass the city well clear of its expansive city limits either on the north or south of it. 

Years ago, during my umpteen (long) road trips from Ohio, depending on whether I am headed for upper New York state, such as Buffalo/Niagara Falls, or southward for Maryland/Washington D.C., I would inevitably pass by Pittsburgh, with its tall downtown buildings looming hazily in the distance either on my port side window or starboard window...🙂...and I was glad I was nowhere driving near those tall buildings. However, on rare occasions, when, in a hurry, I would dare to take a short-cut right through that downtown maze and traffic, I would live to regret it much...🙂...I loved to be driving around the suburban mountains outside of the city center...

Now, about rivers...I find the confluence of 3 rivers (involving 3 distinctly named rivers) particularly fascinating. The confluence in Pittsburgh is a classic example of it. In some cultures, such a tri-confluence is considered sacred and a spiritual cleanser...washing away all human sins...Oh well...I've then had my share in Pittsburgh...🙂...

A tri-confluence phenomenon happens because two rivers meet to become the source of a river of a new name. In the heart of Pittsburgh city, the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers meet to form the Ohio River (all 3 seen in my images below). Such a triple confluence is geographically less common than the confluence of 2 rivers when e.g., a (smaller) tributary (river) meets the mainstream (larger) river and loses its original identity. The Ohio River that is born in (today's) downtown Pittsburgh, flows on for about 700 miles more to eventually merge with the mighty Mississippi River at the southern tip of my state of Illinois, the Ohio River being one of Mississippi's major tributaries. Having lived in Ohio for a significant time, I know Ohio River well. One of the aspects of this river that I'd found interesting is the system of "man-made" locks (or mini dams; one seen in my shot #6), built for flood control, water level management, and river navigation. There are 20 or more locks on Ohio River, of which I'd visited one and seen how it functions, and how under the strict guidance of the lockmaster (sounds like schoolmaster...🙂...), the recreational boats (piloted by regular folks like you and me) make it through the lock (and woe betide anyone not adhering to the specific instructions...🙂...) ...

As the Fall around here is now in full swing, with diverse and brilliant colors, I find it a special pleasure to visit the local parks. There is a park that has a tiny (nameless) creek with a small bridge over it, and I can see this stream of water, a short walk away, merge with the west branch of the (local) DuPage River, which would then merge with the east branch of the DuPage River, within the park, to form DuPage River, which then merges with the Des Plaines River, which in turn meets the Kankakee River, to form Illinois River (note again 3 named rivers just as how Ohio River was formed). And, just as Ohio River, the Illinois River, named after my state, empties and dissolves itself (aka: a tributary) also into Mississippi River, within the state of Illinois. It's quite fascinating to realize that the tiny trickles of water in this nameless stream I see in the (local) park would eventually make it to the Gulf of Mexico (and the Atlantic Ocean) 1,000 miles away.

Pittsburgh is a city with large number of bridges, due to its 3 major rivers, and its countless hills and ravines. Now, do not take it to heart...🙂..., but my (on-line) search indicates some examples of no. of bridges as follows: (1) Hamburg - 2300 (2) Amsterdam - 1281 (3) New York City - 788 (4) Pittsburgh - 446 (5) Venice - 409...Oh well, it seems up there with (and even slightly higher than) Venice...🙂...Pittsburgh was also once the largest steel-producing city and the steel capital of the world. Its three powerful rivers contributed vital transport logistics that had started this industry in the city. The rich supply of high-quality coal from the (nearby) Allegheny range of mountains (that I've often posted about here), also proved significant. 

So, the city of Pittsburgh owes its very existence and fame (and heart & soul) to the 3 rivers that flow through it. It's called the "Steel City" and the "City of Bridges". And I recall the one time, long ago, when I'd attended a Football game there (note this is not soccer...🙂..., and yes, the local Football Team is called the Pittsburgh "Steelers"). The Stadium (spotted in my images) located at the junction of the 3 Rivers, was in fact then called "Three Rivers Stadium". I'd walked across one of the 3 "sister" bridges (seen in my shot #14 below over the Allegheny River), along with thousands of pedestrians walking to the Stadium (braving the cold and blustery weather...🙂...).

Please find this collection of 20 images, as I lift off from KPIT (Pittsburgh Intl. Airport), fly eastward upstream against the flow of Ohio River to its meeting point with the other 2 rivers (and its birthplace) in Pittsburgh downtown. Then I've chosen to leave the Monongahela River, and track up along the Allegheny River, past the three sister-bridges, to about the point where the Pennsylvania Turnpike's I-76 Interstate bridge crosses the Allegheny River. Around there, I have finally (and dexterously...🙂...I might add...) landed my Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter on the Allegheny River.

Hope you enjoy these pictures of the tri-confluence of Pittsburgh's 3 (historic) rivers...that have existed long before humans gave them names...have existed from ancient times...probably from around the ice age...long before humans built this downtown of steel and glass structures...

Thanks for viewing...!

Edited October 31, 20241 yr by P_7878

Fine set, thanks for showing, and i do like waterlandings..👍

cheers 😉

Great shots. The entire Pittsburgh area with its very expansive PG is great for exploring. And you've really heightened the mood with that late-day sunshine.

Beautiful shots! 😉 

Very nice shots of the scenery and aircraft P_7878!

On 10/31/2024 at 12:59 PM, pmplayer said:

Fine set, thanks for showing, and i do like waterlandings..👍

cheers 😉

Thank you...! Yes, water landings are always fun.... not sure though if the lockmaster of the river would have approved of my daredevilry here...🙂...

 

On 10/31/2024 at 2:10 PM, John F said:

Great shots. The entire Pittsburgh area with its very expansive PG is great for exploring. And you've really heightened the mood with that late-day sunshine.

Yes, agree, John, very nice surrounding area around this city, with which I'm a bit familiar too.

However, I'm still torn between PG on/off, at least on my Xbox (cannot speak for PC). As I'd proved in my Chicago downtown/skyline post, PG-on gives more realistic buildings etc., but unfortunately often have an apocalyptic look that I cannot stand...Same here, I noticed. On the other hand, PG-off yields a more pleasant overall appearance, but the buildings seem "generic" and not what they look like in RW....

 

On 11/1/2024 at 12:52 PM, Alaska738 said:

Beautiful shots! 😉 

Appreciated the comment, Will. Cheers...!

 

23 hours ago, andiflyit said:

Very nice shots of the scenery and aircraft P_7878!

Thanks, Andreas. Glad you liked the pics and the (amphibian) and versatile PC-6 Porter...🙂...