Toussaint River--Packer Creek Area

Toussaint River--Packer Creek Area

Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449

About this Location

The Toussaint River is a west-to-east flowing river in northwest Ohio beginning where the Packer and Toussaint creeks meet at the Toussaint State Wildlife Area in Carroll Township (Ottawa County). The Toussaint River is only 6 miles long and flows entirely within Carroll Township. Due to the extremely flat topography, the river only descends one foot over the length of its course. The 25-mile Packer Creek and the 40-mile Toussaint Creek begin in Webster Township and in northern Bowling Green, respectively. Both are in Wood County. The Toussaint River Watershed area is 143.1 square miles (91,584 acres) and drains portions of Ottawa, Sandusky, and Wood counties.

Below the confluence of the Packer and Toussaint creeks, the river widens considerably, more than 2,000 feet in some parts.

The Toussaint’s watershed is a flat glacial lake plain that was once covered by a vast forested marshland known as the Great Black Swamp (see Portage River for more detail). Today, the drainage basin consists of highly productive agricultural land.

Within the lower reach of the river, there are two significant protected natural areas. These include the publicly accessible Toussaint State Wildlife Area and the access-restricted Navarre Division of the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, which is comprised of coastal marshland surrounding the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station.

Features

  • Restrooms on site