Ohio is rich in water resources, perhaps most significantly in the 60,000 miles of creeks, streams and rivers that bisect the state. If stretched end to end, Ohio’s waterways would circle the earth nearly two and a half times.
Central Ohio is especially rich in high-quality streams, including numerous exceptional waterways. These include Big and Little Darby creeks, the Olentangy River and the Kokosing and Mohican rivers. All these streams support exceptional water quality and rare fish species in addition to other sensitive aquatic organisms.
Many a kid’s interest in natural history was first piqued by exploring the local creek or river. In my case, it was the Olentangy River that opened my eyes to the wonders of nature.
A best buddy, Jeff Held, and I made scores of forays to the nearby river to look for cool stuff. We’d find a log that would float, toss it in, hop aboard, and drift downstream. Bullfrogs, crayfish, great blue herons, redhorse suckers, and whatever else we could find were our targets. Had our mothers only known.
We know far more about our streams and their ecology now than in my youthful Huck Finn days. And one of the greatest resources to learn more about Ohio’s waterways is «The Ohio Stream Guide,» which first appeared in 2000. The second edition of «Ohio Streams» was released late last year and represents a significant advance over the first edition.
The new edition of «The Ohio Stream Guide» was completed under the auspices of the Midwest Biodiversity Institute and published by the Ohio Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Designer Ronald Zimmerman did an admirable job in presenting lots of information graphically and in an easily understood way.
"The Ohio Stream Guide"
«The Ohio Stream Guide»
Randall Sanders edited the publication and ensured that the information within is accurate, interesting and informative. I’ve known Randy for several decades and he is one of the legends in Ohio ichthyology. His interests range far beyond fish, and he is a knowledgeable ecologist that sees big pictures, and his deep knowledge of aquatic systems shines through the pages of «Ohio Streams.»
Eleven chapters cover a broad range of subjects, including geology and geography, ecology, water quality, and pollution control, stream laws, and protection and restoration of streams. Ohio’s major river drainages are detailed, including the Scioto River, which flows through downtown Columbus. If the reader turns to chapter 10.7 to learn more about the Scioto, they’ll uncover a treasure trove.
The Scioto River, south of Columbus, is the state’s longest free-flowing (undammed) stream, and it boasts tremendous aquatic habitats. Five hundred and sixty-seven named tributary streams feed into the Scioto, and its waters support 116 species of fish and 67 mussel species.