TheOttawa River,also known asOttawa Creek,is a short river, approximately 20 miles (32 km) long[1](or about 48 miles (77 km)[1]if Tenmile Creek, the longest tributary, is included), in northwestOhioand southeastMichiganin theUnited States.[2]It drains an area on the Ohio-Michigan border along the eastern and northern fringes of the city ofToledo,goes throughOttawa Hills,and empties directly intoLake Erie.It is one of two rivers in northwestern Ohio that share the same name, along with theOttawa Riverthat is a tributary of theAuglaize River.The upper 4 miles (6 km) of the river in Michigan north ofSylvania, Ohiois calledNorth Tenmile Creekon federal maps,[3]while another branch rising inFulton County, Ohio,is calledTenmile Creek.[4]
| Ottawa River | |
|---|---|
 The Ottawa River inWildwood Preserve Metropark | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Southeast Michigan |
| Mouth | |
• location | Lake Erie |
| Length | 15 mi (24 km) |
North Tenmile Creek rises in extremesoutheastern Michigan,southwest ofOttawa Lake,approximately 3 miles (5 km) north of the Ohio-Michigan state line. The creek flows south across the state line to Sylvania, where it is joined by Tenmile Creek to form the Ottawa River, approximately 5 miles (8 km) northwest of Toledo. The river then flows southeast into western Toledo, where it turns northeast. For its lower 5 miles (8 km) it flows along the north side of Toledo roughly parallel to theMaumee River,separated from it by approximately 2 miles (3 km). It crosses the Michigan state line for its final 1 mile (1.6 km), enteringLittle Maumee Bayon Lake Erie.
Pollutants
editThe water quality assessment of the lower section of the Ottawa River found many chemicals in the water with ahazard quotientgreater than 1 (from highest to lowest concentration):lead,aluminum,PCBs,manganese,iron,DDT,thallium,selenium,chromium,nickel,cadmium,cyanide,andzinc.[5]
The poor water quality results primarily from the river's form and structure, since it has a slow flow, and, secondly, fromurban runoffand discharge fromlandfillsand sewers. TheCity of Toledohas made it a priority to clean up the river. It has taken action to clear landfills and tributaries.[6]
Dam removal
editIn 2001, theU.S. Fish and Wildlife Serviceproposed the removal of a long-standing dam in theOttawa Hillsstretch of the river to return the waterway to its natural flow and promote fish migration. It was also mentioned that the dam was a liability for the village.[7]One dam was removed in 2007[8]and another in 2020.[9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^abU.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data.The National MapArchived2012-03-29 at theWayback Machine,accessed May 19, 2011
- ^U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Ottawa River
- ^U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: North Tenmile Creek
- ^U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Tenmile Creek
- ^"Parametrix Report"(PDF).Archived(PDF)from the original on 2006-10-14.Retrieved2007-04-23.
- ^"Landfill Cleanup Progress on the Ottawa River"(Press release). Toledo, Ohio: toledo.oh.gov. Archived fromthe originalon 2007-09-27.
- ^"toledoblade - Ottawa Hills: Public hearing discusses future of dam".Archivedfrom the original on 2007-09-30.Retrieved2020-11-22.
- ^"Microsoft Word - 1002.doc"(PDF).Archived(PDF)from the original on 2007-02-21.Retrieved2007-04-23.
- ^"Dam removal and mussel relocation to help improve Ottawa River quality".Aug 27, 2020.Archivedfrom the original on November 22, 2020.RetrievedNovember 22,2020.
External links
edit- University of Toledo Presidents Commission on the River,a commission ofUniversity of Toledofaculty, staff, and students working to clean up the Ottawa River.