Black River (Ohio)
| Black River | |
|---|---|
 The Black River at its mouth at Lake Erie in Lorain |
|
| Origin | Elyria, Ohio, at confluence of East and West Branches, or northern Ashland County, Ohio for West Branch |
| Mouth | Lake Erie in Lorain, Ohio |
| Basin countries | United States of America |
| Length | 12 miles (19 km), or about 42 miles (68 km) including West Branch |
| Basin area | 470 mi² (1217 km²) |
The Black River[2] is a tributary of Lake Erie, about 12 mi (19 km) long, in northern Ohio in the United States.[3] Via Lake Erie, the Niagara River and Lake Ontario, it is part of the watershed of the St. Lawrence River, which flows to the Atlantic Ocean. The Black drains an area of 470 mi² (1217 km²).[4]
According to the Geographic Names Information System, the Black River has also been known historically as "Canesadooharie River" and as "Riviere en Grys."[5] It was known as "Canesadooharie" -- River of Many Pearls—by the Wyandot.[citation needed]
[edit] Course
The Black River is formed in the city of Elyria by the confluence of its east and west branches:
- The East Branch Black River[6] is formed in northwestern Medina County by the confluence of two short tributaries, the East Fork Black River[7] and the West Fork East Branch Black River.[8] The East Fork flows southwardly past Lodi before turning northwestwardly, and the West Fork rises in northeastern Ashland County and flows generally eastwardly into Medina County; the two join about 1 mi (2 km) northwest of Lodi, and the East Branch then flows generally northwardly into Lorain County, past Grafton.[9] It drains an area of 222 mi² (575 km²).[4]
- The West Branch Black River,[10] about 30 mi (48 km) long,[3] rises in northern Ashland County and flows generally northeastwardly into Lorain County, past Rochester.[9] It drains an area of 174 mi² (451 km²).[4]
From the confluence of the branches in Elyria, the Black River flows generally northwardly past Sheffield into the city of Lorain, where it enters Lake Erie.[9] The mouth of the river forms part of the harbor of Lorain.[3]
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[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Black River Reservation website from Lorain County Metroparks
- ^ United States Geological Survey Hydrological Unit Code: 04-11-00-01-[citation needed]
- ^ a b c Columbia Gazetteer of North America entry
- ^ a b c Map of Ohio watersheds
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Black River
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: East Branch Black River
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: East Fork Black River
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: West Fork East Branch Black River
- ^ a b c DeLorme (1991). Ohio Atlas & Gazetteer. Yarmouth, Maine: DeLorme. ISBN 0-89933-233-1
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: West Branch Black River
