River

County

Reach

Length (miles)

Year Listed/ Updated

Potential Classification

ORVs

Description

Other States

Auglaize River

Auglaize, Allen, Putnam, Paulding, Defiance

Oakwood to Ft. Jennings (26 river miles); Scott crossing to Wapakonetta (29 rm); Wapakonetta to source (26 rm)

81

1982

R, F, W, H, O

Has large diversity of southern floodplain and mudflat species of plants. Paralleled by Buckeye Trail. Used for canoeing. Good fishing. Historical significance with Ft. Amanda and Defiance. Flows through NW Ohio agricultural area. Provides good fishing for croppies and bullhead, and good waterfowl hunting.

Big Darby Creek

Champaign, Logan, Franklin, Union, Madison

Source to I-70 (42 river miles; I-70 to SR 40 (5 rm)

47

1982

R, F, W

Clear, fast flowing water. Excellent canoeing. Small mouth bass fishing. Wildlife observation popular. Flows near city of Columbus. One of state's least polluted streams with unusually large faunal diversity.

Big Darby Creek

Franklin, Pickway

From Confluence with Scioto River to Rt. 40 in Franklin County

40

1982

S, R, G, F, W

River meanders through level to gently rolling watershed. It is characterized by quiet pools dispersed with riffles and runs. Numerous scenic wooded high bluffs are interspersed with pastoral settings along much of the river. The stream has over 1 million people within short driving distance. It is presently under study for inclusion in State Scenic Rivers System. Has state endangered species cob shell, club shell, northern riffle shell, Simpsons shell, river redhorse, northern brook lamprey, Scioto madtom, northern madtom, tippecanoe darter, spotted darber, blacknose shiner, eastern darter and slender darter. Threatened species streamline chub, bluebreast darter.

Black River, East Branch

Lorain, Medina

Grafton to source

24

1982

S, R, H

A somewhat scenic stream tributary to the Black River near metropolitan Cleveland. Flows in part through hilly area with steep hills and graduated valley.

Black River, West Branch

Lorain, Huron

River mile 7 to source

41

1982

S, G, W, H

Contains state endangered species, Big Mouth Shiner. Numerous rock out-croppings and very large rocks. Good recreational river used for outdoor nature study. Low waterfalls and caves. Old dam, gristmill and Indian burial ground at Elyria.

Blanchard River

Hancock, Hardin, Putnam

Ottawa to Findlay (26 river miles); Mt. Blanchard to source (28 rm)

54

1982

R, H, C

Very little visible development. Banks mostly wooded. A popular canoe stream. Many 19th century buildings along river being restored. Flows through gently rolling central Ohio farmland. Provided inspiration for composition of song "Down by the Old Mill Stream".

Chagrin River

Lake, Geauga

Ingalls airport to west edge of Chagrin Falls

7

1982

S, R, W, O

Has state endangered species, American brook, lamprey, pugnose minnow, long nose dace. Canoeing, fishing, hiking. Steep cliffs and ravines. Near Cleveland Metropolitan area. Unusual scenic beauty.

Conneaut Creek

Ashtabula

SW limits of city of Conneaut to Pennside, PA

50

1982

H, O

See Conneaut Cree, PA comments.

PA

Cuyahoga River

Cuyahoga, Summit, Portage

From end of canal to dam at Penninsula (8 river miles); Lake Rockwell to Montea. Poineer trail crossing to channelization (11 rm); E. Br. Reservoir to source of E. Br. (7 rm)

26

1982

S, R, F

Designated segment of State Scenic Rivers System. Swamp forest vegetation. Two Ohio endangered species present, Iowa darter and lake chubsucker. Excellent canoeing stream. Small and large mouth bass and northern pike fishing. A scenic stream flowing through woods and farmland with some marsh and wetland. Near cities of Cleveland and Akron.

Four Mile Creek

Butler

From Acton Lake to confluence with Seven Mile Creek

18

1982

S, R, F

A small southwestern Ohio stream, only seasonably canoeable. Good to excellent water quality with good fishing and small game hunting. Moderate existing recreational use. Mainly bordered by tree cover with few cultivated fields to the waters edge. Near Cincinnati Metro area. Scattered development along stream.

Grand

Lake and Ashtabula

U.S. Highway 322 in Ashatabula County downstream to Norfolk and Western Railroad in Lake County

31

1995

S

S, G, F

The river is classified as scenic from Route 322 to Harper's Field Covered Bridge and classified as wild from Harper's Field Covered Bridge to Norfolk and Western Railroad tressel.

Scenic resources include a well wooded corridor with shale cliffs; Recreational resources consist of excellent canoeing and fishing opportunities; Fishery resources provide high quality Northern brook lamprey: Wildlife resources can be found in the extensive wetlands.

The Grand is a designated wild and scenic river in the Ohio Scenic River program.

Great Miami River

Hamilton, Butler, Warren, Montgomery, Miami

Mouth to Dayton (56 river miles); Dayton to Troy (excluding Hamilton and Middletown areas) (20 rm)

76

1982

S, R, H, C

Rt. of Buckeye and North Country Trails, Historical significance as "Highway of Indians and Pioneers". Scenic stream located near historic Miami and Erie canal. Indian mounds scattered along stream. Popular fishing river. Area near mouth used extensively for duck hunting.

Hocking River

Athens

Chauncey to Athens (12 river miles); Athens to confluence with Ohio River (20 rm)

32

1982

S, R, H

Flows through small towns and rural areas. Some scenic parklands. Most of adjacent land forested. Popular canoe stream. Flows through Hocking Hills, a very scenic, popular tourist area. Fishing and watersports near mouth. Buckeye Trail crosses river. Several historic sites including Ft. Gower (revoluntionary war era).

Huron River, West Branch

Huron

From bridge crossing near Standardsburg Sourth of Monroeville to Skinner Road north of Plymouth.

25

1982

R

A meandering stream flowing through a moderately wooded corridor. Some high banks. Scattered housing. The stream has good water quality, but is generally narrow and somewhat silted. Moderate fishing use. Seasonably canoeable.

Kokosing River

Morrow, Knox, Coshocton

From confluence with Mohican River to Mt. Vernon (25 river miles); From Mt. Vernon to source (32 rm)

57

1982

R, G, F

Located in east central Ohio and flows through mostly agricultural land. Had cliffs and large boulders throughout its length. A popular canoe stream with good small mouth bass fishing. Under consideration for State Scenic Rivers System.

Little Muskingum River

Washington, Monroe

Marietta to Woodsfield

35

1982

S, R, F, H

Flows through very scenic sparsely populated hill country of southeastern Ohio. An excelllent canoeing and fishing stream located partly in the Wayne National Forest. Several covered bridges contribute to the area's personality. The banks are mostly wooded with some bottomland farming. One of the few streams in the state with Ohio River muskie.

Loramie Creek

Shelby

Mouth to Mill Creek

5

1982

R, H, C

Route of Buckeye and North Country Trails. Near Miami and Erie Canal, numerous locks, aqueducts and pioneer dwellings. Outstanding historic and archeologic significance with Ft. Pickaway and the Miami and Erie Canal. Buckeye trail passes through area. Canoeing is popular and fishing use is increasing due to improved water quality.

Mad River

Greene, Clark

From Montogomery-Greene County line to Tremont city

20

1982

R, F, H, C

Two state endangered species. Excellent canoeing stream. One of the few trout streams in the state. Rich in Ohio history with Simon Kenton Farm, Indian burial sites, Shawnee Indian Village, George Rogers Clark Park, U.S. Air Force Museum and Wright Brothers Park nearby. Buckeye trail uses some of corridor.

Mill Creek

Ashtabula

From the confluence with the Grand River to the headwaters

31

1995

S

S, G, F

Mill Creek meets Ohio State River Inventory requirements for study.

Scenic-High shale cliffs, well-wooded, upper stream area woods and pastoral areas; Fishery-Northern brook lamprey, an endangered species.

Mohican River

Ashland, Holmes, Knox

From confluence with Clear Fork to southernmost crossing of Holmes-Knox County line

20

1982

R, W, H

Good canoeing stream. Presently under consideration for inclusion in State Scenic Rivers System. Area rich in Indian lore. Has state endangered species cob shell, club shell, fan shell, ridged pocketbook, bullhead, long solid.

Ohio River

Columbiana

From Ohio-Pennsylvania state line to Wellsville

18

1982

S, R, H

A broad interstate river used extensively for recreational boating, canoeing and fishing. In this area it flows through scenic hill country in Ohio and Kentucky with some cliffs and rock outcroppings. Considerable historic and archeologic values along river. Used extensively in 19th century by settlers and early explorers. Many stream side recreational facilities available. Flows through Cinncinnati and several other smaller cities.

WV

Ohio River

Adams, Brown

From Rome to Morgansville, KY

21

1982

S, R, H

A broad interstate river used extensively for recreational boating, canoeing and fishing. In this area it flows through scenic hill country in Ohio and Kentucky with some cliffs and rock outcroppings. Considerable historic and archaeologic values along river. Used extensively in 19th century by settlers and early explorers. Many stream side recreational facilities available. Flows through Cinncinatti and several other smaller cities.

KY

Paint Creek

Ross, Highland, Fayette, Madison

River mile 5 to Point Creek Lake Dam (32 rm); Greenfield to Washington Court House (18 rm); Washington Court House to source (32 rm)

82

1982

S, G, H, O

Scenic limestone gorge below Paint Creek dam. Seip Mound historic and archeologic area. Great diversity of plant species on bluffs. Has state threatened species-streamline chub, gravel chub, bluebreast darter. Prehistoric burial mounds present.

Pymatuning Creek

Ashtabula and Trumbull

From the headwaters located South of Ayers Road and East of the Conrail tracksdownstream to Orangeville Western Corporate Boundary, one mile West of Pennsylvania line.

32

S

S, F, W

Listed in Ohio State River Inventory as a subject for study for designation.

Scenic-Wooded, extensive wetlands; Fishery-Aquatic community includes Pleuroblema clava, or clubshell, an endangered mollusc; Wildlife-Bald eagle nesting area, state wildlife area and site of a state nature preserve.

Salt Creek

Ross, Vinton, Hocking

From town of Reed to confluence with Scioto River

25

1982

S, R, W

Extremely diverse fauna. Excellent canoeing. Undisturbed and very scenic river. Small mouth bass and other fishing. One of the few unpolluted natural streams in the state. Has state endangered species yellow sand shell and fragile heel splitter.

Sandusky River

Wyandot, Crawford

From U.S. 23 SE of Upper Sandusky to Kestetter Road west of Bucyrus

25

1982

R

The Sandusky flows north into Lake Erie east of Toledo. This portion of stream only seasonally canoeable. Moderate hunting and fishing use. Considerable agricultural lands to rivers edge. Has endangered species, northern riffle shell.

Sandusky River

Sandusky

From mouth at Lake Erie to Fremont (14 river miles); Freemont to Tiffin (23 rm); From U.S. 224 at Tiffin to St. John bridge in Sec. 23, TIN, R14E. (7 rm); From the spillway at Indian Mill Park downstream to Upper Sandusky (26 rm)

70

1982

R, H

Included in the State Scenic River System. Wood duck hunting in area good. Rises in north-central part of state and flows north to Lake Erie through generally flat agricultural land. Whittaker home site, first non-Indian family in Ohio, is located along river. Used extensively for power boating and water skiing. Extensive marshes near mouth receive heavy waterfowl hunting use.

Scioto River

Scioto, Pike, Ross, Pickaway, Franklin, Delaware, Marlon, Hardin

Chillicothe to Circleville (16 river miles); Circleville to Columbus(24 rm); Bellpoint to Kenton (53 rm)

93

1982

R, H

A mostly slow, meandering stream with generally forested banks. Archeological value, including five National Register sites and a National Historic Monument. Many Indian burial mounds. Hunting along the corridor is good. Chillicothe area referred to as "Capitol of Prehistory". Paralleled in part by remnants of old Ohio and Erie Canal. Has state endangered species Ohio lamprey, shortnose gar, blue sucker, mountain madtom, river darter, paddlefish and northern madtom. Threatened species gravel chub.

St. Mary's River

Mercer, Auglaize

From Rockford to Barber-Warner Road in Auglaize County

25

1982

R

A meandering western Ohio river extending into Indiana. Flows through mainly flat farm country. Good hunting and fishing available with moderate use. Good water quality. Some heavily wooded areas along stream, mainly in Oxbow areas. Canoeable but does not receive much use.

Stillwater River

Montgomery, Miami, Darke

Englewood Reservoir to Penn Central RR in Covington (24 river miles); Covington to Ansonia (31 river miles)

55

1982

R, F, O

A gentle canoeing stream with generally wooded banks. Flows through central Ohio farm lands and City of Dayton. Some protection offered by Stillwater River Association. A National Recreation Trail is proposed on lower part of City of Dayton.

Tuscarawas River

Stark, Tuscarawas

Canal Fulton to Massillon (8 river miles); Massillon to Dover (20 rm); Dover to New Philadelphia (5 rm); New Philadelphia to New Comerstown (20 rm)

53

1982

S, R, H

The Tuscarawas is a feeder stream to the Muskingum River. Provides a long canoe trip when combined with parent stream. Flows through east-central Ohio rolling farmland. Has rich historic values, including Ohio and Erie Canal. Tuscarawas Valley has considerable scenic beauty with lowlands bordered by steep hills.

Twin Creek

Preble, Montgomery

From Lewisburg downstream to Germantown dam

41

1982

R

Located near Dayton metropolitan area in heavy agriculture area. Banks somewhat wooded and steep in places. Moderate hunting and fishing use. Very little public land. Access is a problem. A generally shallow and narrow stream. Seasonally canoeable.

Vermillion River

Huron, Erie

From Clarksfield to the Ohio Turnpike and east fork of the Vermilion from confluence with Vermillion to Orphanage Road

25

1982

S, R, F

Rises in north central Ohio and empties into Lake Erie near the western edge of the Cleveland metropolitan area. Exceptional warm water species habitat with good water quality. Recreational use moderate with good opportunity for hunting and fishing. This segment seasonally canoeable. Main stem and east branch both flow through wooded corridors with steep hills.

Vermillion River

Lorain, Erie, Huron

From mouth at Lake Erie to river mile 7 (7 river miles); from river mile 7 to Ohio Turnpike (5 rm); From W. Clarksfield to Huron-Ashland County line (16 rm)

28

1982

R, G, W

See initial comments.

White Oak Creek

Brown

From Ohio River to confluence with North and East Forks of White Oak Creek

31

1982

S, R, F

A small stream flowing through scenic southern Ohio hill country into the Ohio River. Seasonally canoeable with good to excellent hunting and fishing available. Receives moderate recreational use due to poor access. Corridor 99% privately owned. Has good water quality. Exceptional warm water habitat. Corridor fairly well wooded.