Description

The Blanchard River Watershed is located in the southeast part of the Western Lake Erie Basin. The headwaters begin in Kenton, Ohio until bending around the Findlay reservoir and flowing to the west towards Ottawa. The river empties into the Auglaize River, then into the Maumee River and eventually into Lake Erie. The topography of the Blanchard River watershed, like much of northwest Ohio, is generally flat. The City of Findlay, the largest community within the Blanchard, is slightly sunken within the basin, much like a divot on the 18th green.

Quick Facts

- Watershed Area - 771 square miles
- Empties To - Auglaize River in Putnam Co.
- Land Use - 80% cropland, 10% forest
- Largest City - Findlay
- Watershed Population - 91,266
- Watershed Counties - Allen, Hancock, Hardin, Putnam, Seneca, and Wyandot.
- Major Crops - Beans (49.9%), Corn (31.2%), and Wheat (15.9%)
- Average Annual Precipitation - 35-37"
- Stream Miles - 1234.9
- Number of Subwatersheds - 6
- Soil Type - 30% somewhat poorly drained Blount, 20% very poorly drained Pewamo, 5% very poorly drained Paulding clay
- Hydric Soils - 42% of watershed

Getting Local

The Blanchard River Watershed Partnership is a young organization that has recently acquired its nonprofit status. Partnering communities in the watershed include Findlay, Ottawa, Bluffton and many small villages.
The Blanchard River watershed has six major tributaries, each of which is characterized by a sub-watershed.
Since it’s inception, the BRWP has focused on education and several river clean-ups. The BRWP is currently targeting the Lye Creek sub-watershed for stream monitoring and seeking grants that would provide for a watershed coordinator to write a watershed management plan.

Click the logo below to visit the BRWP website.

Map

Studies & Reports

Blanchard River Watershed Rapid Assessment - NRCS - (PDF)
Blanchard River TMDL - Ohio EPA
Blanchard River Assessment
Historical Assessment of Streamflow and Water Quality Activities
WLEB Stakeholder Grants - Rd 1 - Final Report - Blanchard

Meetings & Workshops

Multi-Objective Project Planning Introduction - 5-7 Aug 09

Worksho Agenda 5-7 August 09
Attendee List
Buffalo District Planning Part 1 (PDF 6.5mb) (PPT 8.2mb)
Buffalo District Planning Part 2 (PDF 6.3mb) (PPT 105mb)
Buffalo District Planning Part 3 (PDF 0.7mb) (PPT 0.4mb)
Forgette - WLEB Study M.O.P.P.I. (PDF 3.3mb) (PPT 10.5mb)
Session 7 (PDF 62kb) (PPT 90kb)
Session 8 (PDF 5.9mb) (PPT 8mb)
Session 11 (PDF 1.9mb) (PPT 0.9mb)
Staebell - Ecosystem Restoration (PDF 5.3mb) (PPT 8.6mb)
Staebell - Model Certification (PDF 2.9mb) (PPT 4.6mb)