Sandusky River facts for kids
The Sandusky River is an important river in north-central Ohio, United States. It flows into Lake Erie at the southwest part of Sandusky Bay. The river is about 133 miles (214 km) long. A tributary is a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger one.
The river's name comes from the Wyandot language. The Wyandot word saandusti means "water within water-pools." Another possible origin is andusti, meaning "cold water." Early French and English settlers wrote the name in different ways.
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Fish and the River's Health
The Sandusky River is famous for its yearly fish runs. In spring, usually March and April, many walleye fish swim upstream. White bass also come to the river around the same time. These fish runs are important for the river's ecosystem.
The Ballville Dam and Fish Migration
For many years, a structure called the Ballville Dam was on the Sandusky River. It was located in Fremont, Ohio. This dam stopped walleye and other fish from swimming further upstream. Because of this, fewer fish could reach their spawning areas. This meant the fish population in the Sandusky River was smaller than in other rivers, like the Maumee River.
People believed that removing the dam would help the fish. They thought it would allow more fish to swim upstream. This would give them more places to lay their eggs. The Ballville Dam was no longer used to make power or help boats.
Dam Removal and River Improvement
The city of Fremont studied what to do with the dam. They looked at tearing it down or fixing it. A study in 2014 showed that removing the dam would be good for the river. It would greatly help the fish populations. In 2016, people voted to take the dam down. The Ballville Dam was removed in July 2018. This change has helped the fish travel freely again.
The River's Journey
The Sandusky River starts in Crawford County, Ohio. It begins where Paramour Creek and Allen Run meet near Leesville. At first, it flows west through the town of Bucyrus, Ohio.
Flowing North to Lake Erie
In Wyandot County, Ohio, the river changes direction. It turns north and continues this way for the rest of its journey. The river flows through Seneca County, Ohio and Sandusky County, Ohio. It passes by several towns, including Upper Sandusky, Ohio, Tiffin, Ohio, and Fremont, Ohio. Finally, it empties into Sandusky Bay, which is part of Lake Erie.
A Scenic River
In 1970, a special part of the Sandusky River was recognized. The section between Upper Sandusky and Fremont was named a State Scenic River by the government of Ohio. This means it is a beautiful and important natural area.
Little Sandusky River
The Little Sandusky River is a smaller stream that flows into the Sandusky River. It is about 14 miles (23 km) long. It starts near Brush Ridge, Ohio in northern Marion County, Ohio. It then flows north and joins the main Sandusky River in southern Wyandot County, Ohio.
Other Names for the River
Over time, the Sandusky River has been known by a few different names. These include:
- Potake Sepe
- Riviere Blanc
- Riviere Sanduski
- San-doo-stee River
