The Inland Waterways Gateway region encompasses all or portions of twenty-three (23) States and is covered by two Offices (Paducah, KY and St. Louis, MO).

The Inland Waterways Gateway – St. Louis supports all of a portion of fourteen of those states adjacent to the navigable rivers to include Washington and Oregon (specific to the Columbia - Snake River System inland from Bonneville Dam), Idaho, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and the navigable rivers in the States of Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.  The Office also follows three states regarding their water transportation/maritime supply chain issues (Montana, Wyoming, and North Dakota).  The region encompasses the following commercially navigable rivers: the Upper Mississippi River inclusive of the State of Missouri to its headwaters in Minnesota; the Missouri River; Illinois Waterway; Kaskaskia River; and the Columbia and Snake Rivers from Idaho to the Bonneville Dam in Oregon. 

This region includes over 40 port authorities with 42 river ports, regional waterways, intermodal connections and corridors.

The office is primarily concerned with inland marine transportation, ports, intermodal connectivity, vessel operations and service providers, and marine security.

The Gateway Director serves as an expert on regional and local maritime issues to include financing for port infrastructure, marine highway development, support for American shipbuilding companies, and disaster response/recovery.  In addition to coordinating with the private sector, the Director also serves as the Agency liaison to regional Federal, state and local government agencies.