Scioto River

Scioto River
The Scioto River in downtown Columbus, Ohio
Map
Interactive map showing the Scioto River
Location
CountryUnited States
StateOhio
CountiesHardin, Marion, Delaware, Franklin, Pickaway, Ross, Pike, Scioto
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationNear Roundhead, Ohio
 • coordinates40°36′32″N 83°52′37″W / 40.6089398°N 83.8768831°W / 40.6089398; -83.8768831[1]
Mouth 
 • location
Ohio River near Portsmouth
 • coordinates
38°43′50″N 83°00′46″W / 38.7306319°N 83.0126747°W / 38.7306319; -83.0126747[1]
 • elevation
486 ft (148 m)
Length231 mi (372 km)
Basin size6,517 sq mi (16,880 km2)[2]
Discharge 
 • average6,674 cu ft/s (189.0 m3/s)[3]
Map of the Scioto River watershed

The Scioto River (/sˈtə/ sy-OH-tə) is a river in central and southern Ohio more than 231 miles (372 km) in length.[4] It rises in Hardin County just north of Roundhead, Ohio, flows through Columbus, Ohio, where it collects its largest tributary, the Olentangy River, flows south into Appalachian Ohio, and meets the Ohio River at Portsmouth. Early settlers and Native Americans used the river for shipping,[5] but it is too small for modern commercial craft. The primary economic importance for the river now is for recreation and drinking water. It is the longest river that is entirely within Ohio.

The Scioto River is represented on the Ohio state seal and coat of arms.

  1. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Scioto River
  2. ^ "Map of Ohio watersheds". Archived from the original on March 11, 2007.
  3. ^ "Arthur Benke & Colbert Cushing, "Rivers of North America". Elsevier Academic Press, 2005 ISBN 0-12-088253-1
  4. ^ "Scioto River Valley Federation".
  5. ^ "Scioto River – Ohio History Central". ohiohistorycentral.org. Retrieved February 26, 2018.