Scioto River

Scioto River
The Scioto River at Chillicothe
Basin features
Main source	Near New Hampshire, Ohio 40°36′32″N 83°52′37″W / 40.6089398°N 83.8768831°W / 40.6089398; -83.8768831
River mouth	Ohio River near Portsmouth 486 ft (148 m) 38°43′50″N 83°00′46″W / 38.7306319°N 83.0126747°W / 38.7306319; -83.0126747Coordinates: 38°43′50″N 83°00′46″W / 38.7306319°N 83.0126747°W / 38.7306319; -83.0126747
Basin size	6,517 sq mi (16,880 km2)
Physical characteristics
Length	231 mi (372 km)
Discharge	Average rate: 6,674 cu ft/s (189.0 m3/s)

The Scioto River (/saɪˈoʊtoʊ/ sy-OH-toh or /saɪˈoʊtə/ sy-OH-tə) is a river in central and southern Ohio more than 231 miles (372 km) in length. It rises in Auglaize County in west central Ohio, flows through Columbus, Ohio, where it collects its largest tributary, the Olentangy River, and meets the Ohio River at Portsmouth. Too small for modern commercial shipping, its primary economic importance is for recreation and drinking water.

The lower Scioto River valley is large compared to the width of the river and is extensively farmed. Meltwaters from retreating glaciers carved the valley exceptionally wide. Valley bottoms are smooth, and flood deposits created during and since the most recent Glacial period cause floodplain soils to be very productive. As a result, farms line much of the lower Scioto where it flows through low, rolling hills covered in hardwood trees.