- Begins at
elevation of 885 feet
- Ends at estuary
mouth at approx. 315 feet lower
- Stream gradient
= 0.4%
|
| Land
Use Changes in OWC Watershed from 1937-1993 |
Cropland:
-6.8%
Orchard/Vineyard: -2.5%
Pasture: -14.5%
Forest: +16.5%
Rate of change seems to have slowed
Primack, 2003. Unpublished impervious surface analysis |
 |
|
Old
Woman Creek
State Nature Preserve
&
National Esturine Research Reserve
|
Old
Woman Creek is one of 27 National Estuarine Research Reserves
(NERR) in the U.S. and the only Reserve site in the Great Lakes.
|
 |
The
NERR system promotes stewardship of our nation’s estuaries
through research and education. |
| The
Ohio Division of Wildlife manages and administers the Old Woman
Creek Reserve in collaboration with the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). |
| The
Old Woman Creek Reserve is located about three miles east of
Huron on U.S. Route 6. |
| The
573-acre area is home to the DeWine Center for Coastal Wetland
Studies, containing facilities for research and education. The
Reserve has over two miles of trails that wind through various
habitats. |
Old
Woman Creek Our Local Gem |
| By
Alison Delombard |
|
| Prospects
of seeing muskrats, troutlilies, witchgrass, and slimy salamanders
are high at Old Woman Creek and Reserve, on the east side of
Huron. These creatures mingle with scads of other mammals, plants,
reptiles, and amphibians, not to mention the nearly 300 species
of birds and over 40 species of fish at the Reserve. Aside from
its wide array of habitats and species, Old Woman Creek also
has quite a history. |
| Legend
has it that Wintasta, a Native American woman, fell in love
with a French trader, Flamaron, who was one of the first settlers
in the area. Wintasta was already married though, and her husband,
Ogontz, became quite vengeful. On a fateful hunting trip, Ogontz
confronted Flamaron in rage—however, Flamaron’s
rifle was faster than the indian’s bow, and Ogontz was
killed. |
After
learning of Ogontz’s death, his brothers vowed revenge
and tied Flamaron to a tree. As they were about to shoot the
trader, Wintasta ran to her lover’s side, pleading for
mercy. As the arrow flew from the bow, Wintasta jumped in front
of her lover. The arrow pierced both of their hearts. The night
after they were buried, Wintasta’s mother, Minehonto,
was so full of grief that she threw herself into the creek and
drowned. From that day forward, the Creek was called Minehonto
Creek. As more European settlers came to the area, they heard
the story but couldn’t pronounce Minehonto’s name,
and the stream’s name was changed to “Old Woman
Creek.”
Many years later, in 1980, Old Woman Creek and Reserve was named
the United States' seventh National Estuarine Research Reserve
(NERR). In fact, it is not just the only NERR in Ohio, but it
is also the only one of the Great Lakes. It is also protected
as an Ohio state park. It is considered a “superior example
of a freshwater estuary,” by the Ohio Department of Natural
Resources, but what really makes the Creek and Reserve superior
are the bald eagles and American lotus beds. All this and more
is open for the general public every day from dawn until dusk. |
The
Visitor Center is free of charge and open Wednesday through
Sunday, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. The Center’s features include
a lookout for viewing birds, an aquarium, and art depicting
the Reserve's natural attributes. Exhibits explicate the ecology,
geology, and other aspects of the area, and a classroom is the
site of many public functions and programs. The Visitor Center
also provides activities like canoe/kayak trips on the estuary,
nature sketch classes, and other expeditions exploring the wonders
of our natural environment.
Education and preservation is not the only features at Old Woman
Creek Reserve! The Mike DeWine Center for Wetlands Studies Research
Center employs state-of-the-art, specialized laboratories to
monitor all the goings-on in the Reserve. Old Woman Creek and
Reserve is currently under the scientific observation of researchers
from various Ohio universities and colleges as well as from
other states like Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and New Hampshire.
Since its establishment in 1980, over 200 papers have been published
from research within the watershed and estuary reserve. Each
summer, students from all over come to study at Old Woman Creek
and live in the dorms provided by the Research Center. |
If
independent learning is your style or you are just looking for
peaceful solitude, one can also freely explore the area on the
1.5 miles of trails. A popular spot on the trail is the (wheelchair-accessible)
observation deck, and the elevated boardwalks that wind through
forest and fields are not to be missed. The Reserve provides
beautiful vistas of the estuary, marshlands, barrier beach,
and Star Island.
Whether you enjoy learning in the air-conditioned Visitor’s
Center or through the more adventurous hiking and canoeing trips,
Old Woman Creek and Reserve is truly a jewel of our community.
It was recognized as an important part of Ohio natural history
with an historical marker in 2003, and it is recognized every
day by visitors as a great place to see little brown bats, cottontail
rabbits, whitetail deer, or our national icon the majestic bald
eagle. |
|
