The Way I See It: Going with the flow is easy in the MOV
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The Mid-Ohio Valley is defined by the waters that flow through it.
The area waterways were used by native Americans to move around the area. When those with European roots began arriving, they generally kept the names of the rivers that had been given to them before their arrival.
Most of the flowing waterways in our area are either runs, ways, creeks or rivers. They provide borders for many of our towns and villages and help to drain water from the entire region.
What follows is a sort of guide to some of the larger waterways in our area. Since all water flowing in our area eventually ends up in the Ohio River I will do my "flow chart" in alphabetical order. The personal observations come from years of me asking myself if a waterway is "kayakable." If you are heading out, be careful, there is still a lot of debris floating in the waterways because of a particularly wet late summer.
Duck Creek
This creek mostly follows Interstate 77 as it makes its way south after forming from the east and west forks of the river near Lower Salem. Traveling around 30 miles as it wraps around the eastern edge of Marietta. Kayak score 4. An easy paddle from the Williamstown boat ramp, the creek is first crossed by Marietta's River Trail before passing under the bridge for Ohio 7. Tucked between the interstate and the Marietta Country club, the users of the lower section of the waterway can hear the nearby traffic.
Goose Run
This short, but important waterway flows through the middle of Marietta. Called the Tiber by early residents, it begins near the Washington State College of Ohio, runs near Hadley Lane and then Glendale Road before it starts a game of hide and seek near McDonald's. It’s covered in many spots by two centuries of devolvement that forced it into hiding under buildings and streets, including Butler Street and Front Street before emerging a short distance from the Muskingum River near the historical Harmer Village Bridge. Kayak score 0. You might be able to get the bow of a kayak into the mouth of the stream, but you will not get very far at the spot where the Phoenix Mill once was.
Hocking River
The river starts in Fairfield County and ends 102 miles later in Hockingport. The river was important to those who developed Ohio in the late 1700s, including those who formed Ohio University in Athens near its banks. The name comes from the native American name “Hokhokken" The river was moved a half century ago through Athens to stop frequent flooding. Kayak score 5. With easy access near where Ohio 7 crosses it near Torch as well as several other locations.
Little Hocking River
The waterway that gives the community its name, the Little Hocking drains 18.4 miles of western Washington County between Barlow and Belpre. Several branches of the river flow through farmland on its way to the Ohio River. The river is dammed and provides the water that keeps Veto Lake full. The river was first called the Little Hockhocken. Kayak score 5. You can access it near the bridges in Little Hocking or at the Belpre Township Park where a small ramp provides easy access.
Little Kanawha River
The large tributary divides Parkersburg into two at the end of its 169-mile journey from Upshur County. The former lock and dam system was abandoned so it can only be navigated in sections. Named for the larger Kanawha River. Kayak score 4.5. The river has just the right amount of water, plus it has 27 tributaries to explore.
Little Muskingum River
This long stream starts in Monroe County and generally follows Ohio 26 as it makes a 65-mile journey to the Ohio River in Reno. The river passes under several covered bridges along the way, all but the last two miles of the river is in the Wayne National Forest. Kayak score 4. The river is popular but can get very shallow in spots during dry seasons.
Middle Island Creek
Joining the Ohio River near St. Marys, the creek, at 77 miles, is the longest "creek" in West Virginia. It starts in Doddridge County when Meathouse Fork and Buckeye Creek join. In Tyler County, a 7-mile section of the river forms a "jug handle" when it passes within 100 feet of itself. Kayak score 4. Easy access at the Marina in St. Marys.
Muskingum River
The 111-mile river has been an important waterway for centuries. Native Americans built large earthen works near where it met the Ohio River. The river starts in Coshocton where the Walhonding and Tuscarawas rivers meet. The first people from New England to arrive after the Northwest Territory was created chose the spot for their first settlement. The river was controlled by a series of locks and dams in the 1800s. The historical structures continue to allow boats to navigate nearly the entire river. Kayak score 5. The historical lock and dam system add to the charm. Be careful heading downstream. The dams can be hard to spot if you are not paying attention. You can find public access points all along the river, including the Indian Acres boat ramp in Marietta.
Ohio River
The main artery that passes through our area is not only a major commercial waterway, moving 184 million tons of goods per year, but is also the border for six states as it travels 981-miles from Pittsburgh to Cario, Ill. The river gets its name from the Seneca tribe's name Ohi:yo' which means good river. Ironically the state named after the river does not own the waterway, West Virginia does here, and Kentucky does further downstream. Kayak score 3. Plenty of water, too much other traffic -- the 1,200-foot barges are huge.
Wolf Creek
This tributary of the Muskingum River drains much of the area between Barlow and Waterford with dozens of small forks. The school system in Waterford is named for the waterway that curves around the elementary school. Kayak score 3. Access is via the Muskingum River and the Beverly boat ramp. Water depth starts to become an issue about a mile upstream from the mouth, best coupled with a paddle to the Beverly dam.
Worthington Creek
One of 27 tributaries of the Little Kanawha River, the lower portion of the creek the 15 miles flows near 7th Street and U.S. 50. The entire creek is in Wood County. Kayak score 4. A full boat ramp is available at Parkersburg’s Corning Park; the lower few miles of the creek provide a pleasant paddle.
The waterways around the mid-Ohio Valley are all interconnected, allowing the ambitious water lover to, at least in theory, get to any of them without setting foot on land.
Art Smith is online manager of The Marietta Times and the Parkersburg News and Sentinel, he can be contacted at asmith@mariettatimes.com