Great Miami River Statistics
Great Miami River background
The name Miami was originally the designation of the tribe who bore the name of "Tewightewee." In the Ottawa language, it signified "mother" and the Shawanoese called the river Shi,me,a,mee,sepe or "Big Miamie River." The settlers who constructed flatboats in Piqua knew the dangerously swift and crooked channels downstream from Troy as the "Ninety-nine Islands." The Miami Valley was also known for its lush vegetation, abundant water resources, Ohio-Erie canal, and rich archeological past. Today, the valley is known for its water supply, recreation, industries, productive farmland, and high quality tributaries. Originating upstream from Indian Lake, the Great Miami River flows southwest to its confluence with the Ohio River west of Cincinnati, OH. The Great Miami is one of the 10 major rivers in Ohio. In the state, it is one of six major rivers that drain to the Ohio River (the other four major rivers drain to Lake Erie).
Habitat
As a result of the watershed's glacial deposits, the Great Miami River flows over a buried aquifer with thick deposits of sand, gravel, cobble, and boulders. Habitat modifications include channelization in the upper reach, numerous low-head dams, and some gravel mining. Its large watershed and abundant groundwater helps to maintain good base flows throughout the year. The middle and upper mainstem contains some of Ohio's best smallmouth bass fishing.
Great Miami River (in Ohio) 2001
Watershed Facts
Named Streams: 285
Endangered Stream Species: 14
Population Estimate
Total: 1,334,930
People/Square Mile: 338
Clean Water Act Goals (miles)
Meeting: 613 (58.8%)
Partially Meeting: 206 (19.8%)
Not Meeting: 223 (21.4%)
Mainstem Facts
Average Gradient: 3.9 feet/mile
Fish Species: 114
Mussel Species: 37
Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Taxa: 297
Dams: 15
Aquatic Life Use Designations (miles)
Warmwater Habitat: 170.3
Stream Flow (cfs):
Maximum: 352,000
Average: 3,367
Minimum: 155
Scenic River Designations (miles)
Scenic River: Yes
Stillwater River & Greenville Creek: 83
Recreational River: Yes
Stillwater River: 10
| Principle Streams |
| Stream Name |
Length (miles) |
Drainage Area (sq. mi.) |
|
|
|
| Great Miami River |
170.3 |
5385 |
| Stillwater River (in OH) |
67.2 |
644 |
| Mad River |
60.2 |
657 |
| Fourmile Creek |
38.2 |
297 |
| Twin Creek |
46.2 |
316 |
| Loramie Creek |
36.5 |
265 |
| Greenville Creek (in OH) |
40.5 |
201 |
| Whitewater River (in OH) |
7.3 |
145 |
| Buck Creek |
15.5 |
141 |
| Sevenmile Creek |
32.5 |
137 |
| Indian Creek (in OH) |
22.9 |
72 |
|
