Walhonding River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Walhonding River |
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The Walhonding River in Warsaw in 2006
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Map of the Walhonding River and its tributaries
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| Country | United States |
| State | Ohio |
| County | Coshocton County |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Confluence of Kokosing River and Mohican River Coshocton County |
| River mouth | Muskingum River Coshocton |
| Length | 23.5 mi (37.8 km) |
| Discharge (location 2) |
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| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 2,252 sq mi (5,830 km2) |
The Walhonding River is an important river in east-central Ohio, in the United States. It is about 23.5 miles (37.8 km) long. The Walhonding River is a tributary of the Muskingum River. This means it is a smaller river that flows into a larger one.
Through the Muskingum and Ohio Rivers, the Walhonding River is part of the huge watershed of the Mississippi River. A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into a common river or lake. The Walhonding River's watershed covers about 2,252 square miles (5,830 km2).
Where Does the Walhonding River Flow?
The Walhonding River flows entirely within Coshocton County. It starts where two other rivers, the Mohican River and the Kokosing River, meet. This meeting point is called a confluence.
The river then flows generally towards the east-southeast. Along its path, it goes through Mohawk Dam. This dam was built in the 1930s by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Its main purpose is to control floods in the Muskingum River watershed.
The Walhonding River also passes through the towns of Nellie and Warsaw. After Warsaw, another stream called Killbuck Creek joins it. Finally, the Walhonding River meets the Tuscarawas River in the city of Coshocton. When these two rivers join, they form the Muskingum River.
Why Did the Walhonding River's Name Change?
Rivers sometimes have different names over time. The Walhonding River is one example! According to the Geographic Names Information System, it has been known by several names in the past.
Some of its historical names include:
- Muskingum River ("West branch")
- Walhandink River
- West Branch of the Muskingum
- White Woman Creek
- White Woman River
- White Womans Creek
- White Womans River
- Whitemans Creek
- Whitewoman Creek
- Whitewomans Creek
- Wolhonding River
In the mid-1700s, names like "White Womans Creek" likely referred to either the Kokosing River or the Mohican River. At that time, the Walhonding was simply called the "West branch of the Muskingum." The name "Walhonding" was chosen by lawmakers sometime after the 1820s. This shows how river names can change as areas develop and new maps are made.
