Tuscarawas River Watershed

This week we're looking at how the Tuscarawas River is affected by dams, especially along its tributaries. There are very few rivers in the world that are unaffected along their length by dams and takes, and the Tusc is no exception. When exploring new watershed management techniques and options, it is well to remember we're never approaching a blank slate - most, if not all, watersheds are already being managed, and often times for purely anthropocentric benefit. The question may become, then, can we simply add management to management? Or do we need to undo some previous development if we seek to shift a watershed toward the benefit of biodiversity? Can we even undo previous development? Not easy questions, to be sure - but necessary ones.

Here we get to get into a little more detail about the Tuscarawas River Watershed, including some fun Google Earth maps! Enjoy!

Hydrologic Significance of the Tuscarawas River, from Ohio Environmental Protection Agency:   "The Tuscarawas River drains more than 2,500 square miles in northeastern and eastern Ohio. The mainstem originates southeast of the City of Akron and flows for nearly 130 miles, then joins the Walhonding River to form the Muskingum River. There are several large tributaries (Sugar Creek, Sandy Creek, Conotton Creek, and Stillwater Creek)…The upper portion of the watershed has significant urban, commercial and industrial development. The southern and eastern portions are less populated with far fewer industries in a largely forested landscape that has steeper topography. Pastureland and cattle operations are interspersed throughout the hills and forests as are some abandoned mine lands. The distribution of land covers for the entire Tuscarawas River watershed is 34 percent forest, 31 percent pasture/hay, 19 percent cropland, 12 percent urban, and 4 percent open water." ( epa.ohi...