Shade River
Encyclopedia
The Shade River is a tributary
of the Ohio River
in southeastern Ohio
in the United States
. Via the Ohio River, it is part of the watershed
of the Mississippi River
, draining an area of 221 square miles (572.4 km²) on the unglaciated
portion of the Allegheny Plateau
. The Shade River is 17.4 miles (28 km) long, or 38.2 miles (61.5 km) including its west branch.
The Shade River flows predominantly as three streams, its east, middle, and west branches. It is formed by the confluence of its middle and west branches, and collects its east branch shortly thereafter:
From the confluence of the middle and west branches in Chester Township, the Shade River flows generally eastwardly, past the community of Chester
. It collects its east branch from the north at the community of Keno, and enters the Ohio River in Olive Township
, approximately one mile (2 km) south of the community of Long Bottom
.
According to the Geographic Names Information System
, the Shade River has also been known historically as "Shade Creek" and as "Devils Hole Creek."
's stream gauge
downstream of Chester, the annual mean flow of the river between 1965 and 2005 was 174 ft³/s (5 m³/s). The highest recorded flow during the period was 15,600 ft³/s (442 m³/s) on March 2, 1997. The lowest recorded flow was 0.17 ft³/s (0 m³/s) on September 28, 1987.
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
in southeastern Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Via the Ohio River, it is part of the watershed
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
, draining an area of 221 square miles (572.4 km²) on the unglaciated
Glacier
A glacier is a large persistent body of ice that forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. At least 0.1 km² in area and 50 m thick, but often much larger, a glacier slowly deforms and flows due to stresses induced by its weight...
portion of the Allegheny Plateau
Allegheny Plateau
The Allegheny Plateau is a large dissected plateau area in western and central New York, northern and western Pennsylvania, northern and western West Virginia, and eastern Ohio...
. The Shade River is 17.4 miles (28 km) long, or 38.2 miles (61.5 km) including its west branch.
The Shade River flows predominantly as three streams, its east, middle, and west branches. It is formed by the confluence of its middle and west branches, and collects its east branch shortly thereafter:
- The West Branch Shade River rises in Scipio TownshipScipio Township, Meigs County, OhioScipio Township is one of the twelve townships of Meigs County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 1,050 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the northwestern part of the county, it borders the following townships:...
in Meigs CountyMeigs County, OhioMeigs County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 23,770. Its county seat is Pomeroy, and it is named for Return J. Meigs, Jr., the 4th Governor of Ohio.-Geography:...
, at an elevation of 853 feet (260 m), and flows east-southeastwardly through BedfordBedford Township, Meigs County, OhioBedford Township is one of the twelve townships of Meigs County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 1,212 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the northern part of the county, it borders the following townships:...
and ChesterChester Township, Meigs County, OhioChester Township is one of the twelve townships of Meigs County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 2,332 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the eastern part of the county, it borders the following townships:*Orange Township - north...
Townships. The West Branch is 20.8 miles (33.5 km) long and drains an area of 71.3 square miles (184.7 km²).
- The Middle Branch Shade River rises southeast of the city of AthensAthens, OhioAthens is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Athens County, Ohio, United States. It is located along the Hocking River in the southeastern part of Ohio. A historic college town, Athens is home to Ohio University and is the principal city of the Athens, Ohio Micropolitan Statistical Area. ...
in Athens TownshipAthens Township, Athens County, OhioAthens Township is one of the fourteen townships of Athens County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 27,714 people in the township, 6,680 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.-Geography:...
in Athens CountyAthens County, OhioAs of the census of 2000, there were 62,223 people, 22,501 households, and 12,713 families residing in the county. The population density was 123 people per square mile . There were 24,901 housing units at an average density of 49 per square mile...
, at an elevation of 950 feet (290 m), and flows southeastwardly through AlexanderAlexander Township, Athens County, OhioAlexander Township is one of the fourteen townships of Athens County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 2,614 people in the township, 2,590 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.-Geography:...
, LodiLodi Township, Athens County, OhioLodi Township is one of the fourteen townships of Athens County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 1,403 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the southern part of the county, it borders the following townships:*Canaan Township - north...
, and CarthageCarthage Township, Athens County, OhioCarthage Township is one of the fourteen townships of Athens County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 1,467 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the southeastern part of the county, it borders the following townships:...
Townships in Athens County; and Bedford, OrangeOrange Township, Meigs County, OhioOrange Township is one of the twelve townships of Meigs County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 934 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the northern part of the county, it borders the following townships:...
, and Chester Townships in Meigs County. The Middle Branch is 28.5 miles (45.9 km) long and drains an area of 57.6 square miles (149.2 km²).
- The East Branch Shade River rises in Lodi Township in Athens County, at an elevation of 916 feet (279 m), and flows south-southeastwardly through Carthage Township in Athens County, and Orange and Chester Townships in Meigs County. The East Branch is 21.9 miles (35.2 km) long and drains an area of 54.9 square miles (142.2 km²).
From the confluence of the middle and west branches in Chester Township, the Shade River flows generally eastwardly, past the community of Chester
Chester, Ohio
Chester is an unincorporated community in central Chester Township, Meigs County, Ohio, United States. It lies along the Shade River at the intersection of State Routes 7 and 248. Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 45720.-History:Chester is one the oldest...
. It collects its east branch from the north at the community of Keno, and enters the Ohio River in Olive Township
Olive Township, Meigs County, Ohio
Olive Township is one of the twelve townships of Meigs County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 1,874 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the northeastern corner of the county, it borders the following townships:...
, approximately one mile (2 km) south of the community of Long Bottom
Long Bottom, Ohio
Long Bottom is an unincorporated community in southern Olive Township, Meigs County, Ohio, United States. Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 45743.It lies on the Ohio River, located below Reedsville and above Portland....
.
According to the Geographic Names Information System
Geographic Names Information System
The Geographic Names Information System is a database that contains name and locative information about more than two million physical and cultural features located throughout the United States of America and its territories. It is a type of gazetteer...
, the Shade River has also been known historically as "Shade Creek" and as "Devils Hole Creek."
Flow rate
At the United States Geological SurveyUnited States Geological Survey
The United States Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology,...
's stream gauge
Stream gauge
A stream gauge, stream gage or gauging station is a location used by hydrologists or environmental scientists to monitor and test terrestrial bodies of water. Hydrometric measurements of water surface elevation and/or volumetric discharge are generally taken and observations of biota may also be...
downstream of Chester, the annual mean flow of the river between 1965 and 2005 was 174 ft³/s (5 m³/s). The highest recorded flow during the period was 15,600 ft³/s (442 m³/s) on March 2, 1997. The lowest recorded flow was 0.17 ft³/s (0 m³/s) on September 28, 1987.