Kokosing River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kokosing River |
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The Kokosing River in Mount Vernon
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| Country | United States |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Morrow County, Ohio |
| River mouth | Walhonding River, western Coshocton County, Ohio |
| Length | 57.2 mi (92.1 km) |
| Discharge (location 2) |
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| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 482 sq mi (1,250 km2) |
The Kokosing River (say ko-KO-sing) is a river in east-central Ohio, in the United States. It is about 57 miles (92 kilometers) long. The Kokosing River is a tributary, which means it's a smaller river that flows into a larger one. It flows into the Walhonding River.
The word "Kokosing" means "River of Little Owls." This name comes from the language of the Native American tribes who lived in the area long ago. The river is part of a huge watershed that eventually leads to the Mississippi River. A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into a specific river or lake. The Kokosing River's watershed covers about 482 square miles (1248 square kilometers).
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Journey of the Kokosing River
The Kokosing River starts in Morrow County, Ohio. This is northeast of a town called Mount Gilead, Ohio. At first, the river flows south. Then, near Chesterville, Ohio, it turns and flows east.
The river travels through three different counties: Knox County, Ohio, Coshocton County, Ohio, and Morrow County. It passes by several towns, including Mount Vernon, Ohio, Gambier, Ohio, and Howard, Ohio.
Where the River Ends
In the western part of Coshocton County, the Kokosing River meets another river called the Mohican River. When these two rivers join, they form the Walhonding River. This meeting point is about 2 miles (3 kilometers) northwest of a small town called Nellie, Ohio.
North Branch Kokosing River
The Kokosing River has a main branch and a smaller one. The biggest smaller river that flows into the Kokosing is called the North Branch Kokosing River. This branch also starts in Morrow County. It flows southeast through Knox County and past the town of Fredericktown, Ohio. It joins the main Kokosing River upstream (further up the river) from Mount Vernon.
The Kokosing Gap Trail
Between the towns of Mount Vernon and Howard, there's a special path that runs right next to the Kokosing River. This path is called the Kokosing Gap Trail. It's a "rail trail," which means it used to be a railroad track but has been turned into a path for people to walk, run, or bike on. The trail continues all the way to the town of Danville, Ohio. It's a great way to see the river and enjoy nature!
