The Maumee River drains 8,316 square miles, making it the largest watershed of any Great Lakes river. The Maumee begins at the confluence of the St. Joseph and St. Mary’s rivers in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The river drains all or part of 17 Ohio counties, as well as parts of Michigan, and Indiana.
The Maumee is joined by the Tiffin and Auglaize rivers near Defiance. Downstream, Independence Reservoir is for formed by the Independence Dam. The Maumee River is dammed again at Providence by two dams and Howard Island.
Near the communities of Maumee and Perrysburg, the river divides around Ewing and Grape islands. Together, the islands comprise Audubon Islands State Nature Preserve. Just downstream are Delaware Island, Grassy Island, and several smaller islands and sand bars.
After passing the City of Toledo waterfront, the river straightens and widens. Below the Veterans Glass City Skyway Bridge, the Maumee is lined by heavy industry. The river merges into Maumee Bay.
In early spring, the Maumee River becomes of the most popular destinations in the Great Lakes for walleye. The spring spawning run usually begins in March and continues for several weeks.
Anglers fish by wading, casting from the shoreline, and from boats. Walleye are caught by presenting live baits or by casting artificial lures.
After spawning, walleye move back down the river and into Lake Erie. White bass begin spawning in the river as walleye are leaving. White bass are caught using small jigs, flashy spoons, or with live minnows.
Invasive grass carp were first discovered in the Maumee River in 2013 and have increased over time. In 2017, biological monitoring confirmed reproduction of grass carp in the river. Monitoring and control efforts are ongoing.
Along the rivers path is the Maumee Area of Concern (AOC), one of the largest EPA Areas of Concern in the United States. The Maumee AOC is comprised of 787 square miles, including several watersheds draining to Lake Erie.
There have been two Great Lakes Legacy Act (GLLA) sediment contamination cleanup projects completed within the Maumee AOC, the Ottawa River and Otter Creek projects.
Another EPA Great Lakes Legacy Act Project Agreement is underway to perform Focused Feasibility Studies (FFS) in the Maumee Area of Concern. The FFSs will evaluate remedial alternatives to address contaminated sediments in the Lower Maumee River and in Swan Creek, a tributary to the Maumee River.
One of the river’s most successful restoration is Howard Marsh Metropark, a 987-acre property owned by Metroparks Toledo near the Lake Erie Shore. Originally a coastal marsh, the marsh was drained and converted into agricultural land in the previous century.
Beginning in 2018, Phase 1 of a restoration plan converted 732-acres of the property back into wetland habitat including a waterway connection from the wetland to Lake Erie. Phase 2 of restoration restored and connected the remaining 255 acres of the property. It was completed Spring 2022.
Howard Marsh filters runoff water before it reaches Lake Erie and provides passage and spawning habitat for fish and stopover habitat for migratory birds.