Ottawa River Kayaking Guide

Ohio–Michigan Line — Sylvania to North Maumee Bay

The Ottawa River at Toledo, circa 1910 — the actual river shown (historic image). Image via Wikimedia Commons (public domain), courtesy DPLA.

The Ottawa River — sometimes called the North Tenmile Creek system — is about 20 miles long, with 19 of those miles in Ohio. It begins where Tenmile Creek and North Tenmile Creek meet in Sylvania, winds through the Toledo area, and finishes with a final mile in Michigan, emptying into North Maumee Bay at Erie Township. For club members near the southeast corner of the state, it's the closest thing to an urban paddling river in the guide set.

A regional guide documents eight access sites along the river, and the standout for Michigan paddlers is Howard Pinkley Landing at 2250 Shoreland Avenue in Toledo — a developed boat access with an easy floating pier and parking lot, roughly one mile south of the state line. Closer to the middle of the river, a documented 2.5-mile trip runs from the University of Toledo campus launch to Ottawa and Jermain parks through a forested, meandering urban corridor.

One piece of good news from the river's history: the former Secor Dam was removed in 2007, so it no longer needs to be treated as a portage. The lower river opens to Maumee Bay and Lake Erie, where wind and open-water exposure become the main event — the university's own paddling program offers useful conservative benchmarks: water at least 65°F, combined air-plus-water temperature above 120°F, wind below 20 mph, and gauge heights between 2.5 and 10 feet, plus a visual check of conditions. Those are program rules, not law, but they are a sensible yardstick for any trip here.

At a Glance

• River length: About 20 miles (19 in Ohio, final mile in Michigan)
• Source: Confluence of Tenmile and North Tenmile creeks in Sylvania, Ohio
• Mouth: North Maumee Bay at Erie Township, Michigan
• Key Michigan access: Howard Pinkley Landing, 2250 Shoreland Ave, Toledo, OH — floating pier and parking, about a mile south of the state line
• Documented trip: University of Toledo campus launch to Ottawa/Jermain parks — 2.5 miles of forested, meandering urban river
• Dam status: Former Secor Dam was removed in 2007 — no portage needed
• Access sites: Eight documented along the river

Paddling Sections

Howard Pinkley Landing and the Lower River

Put in at the developed landing with its easy floating pier and head upstream into the river's lower reaches or drift toward the bay. This is the natural entry point for Michigan-based paddlers, and the facilities make group launches straightforward. Watch for wind building off Maumee Bay.

University of Toledo to Ottawa/Jermain Parks — 2.5 miles

This documented stretch is the river's scenic showcase: a forested, meandering corridor through the city. It runs best as a one-way trip with a shuttle, and it's a good choice for paddlers who want an urban river experience without big-water commitment.

Hazards & Portages

• Wind and open water at Maumee Bay — the river's lower end is exposed; pick calm days.
• Urban river conditions — check flow and water quality, especially after heavy rain.
• Cold water — apply the 65°F water / combined 120°F benchmark as a conservative rule of thumb.
• Motorboat traffic — the lower river and bay see powerboats; stay visible and predictable.
• State-line logistics — confirm parking and access rules on the Ohio side before your trip.

Access & Parking

• Howard Pinkley Landing: 2250 Shoreland Ave, Toledo, OH 43611 (approx. 41.7153, -83.4893) — floating pier, parking lot, about one mile south of the Michigan line.
• University of Toledo campus launch: the start of the documented 2.5-mile trip to Ottawa/Jermain parks; follow university signage and access rules.
• Eight total access sites are documented along the river — the regional guide is worth consulting for the full list.

Map

Map marker shows the primary reference point for this guide.