• River Levels

Explore Interactive Map

SANDUSKY RIVER

River Levels • Streamflow • Hydrology

---

Total streamflow across the Sandusky River was last observed at 2,915 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 5,782 acre-ft of water today; about 44% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 6,669 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2013-12-23 when daily discharge volume was observed at 36,000 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Sandusky River Near Fremont Oh reporting a streamflow rate of 1,530 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Sandusky River At Tiffin Oh with a gauge stage of 3.14 ft. This river is monitored from 4 different streamgauging stations along the Sandusky River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 957 ft, the Sandusky River Near Bucyrus Oh.

The Sandusky River is a river in northwestern Ohio that flows for 133 miles before emptying into Lake Erie. Historically, the river has played an important role in transportation and industry, particularly during the 19th century when it was used to transport logging and agricultural products. Today, the river is primarily used for recreation, including fishing and boating. The river's hydrology is impacted by several reservoirs and dams, including the Tiffin and Ballville dams. These dams help to regulate water flow and prevent flooding. The river also serves as a source of irrigation for nearby agricultural land. Despite pollution concerns in the past, the Sandusky River has seen improvements in water quality and continues to be an important resource for the region.

March 4, 2025

Last Updated	2025-03-04
Discharge Volume	5,782 ACRE-FT
Streamflow	2,914.9 cfs -2812.4 cfs (-49.11%)
Percent of Normal	43.71%
Maximum	36,000.0 cfs 2013-12-23
Seasonal Avg	6,669 cfs

History of the River

The Sandusky River (Wyandot: saandusti; Shawnee: Potakihiipi ) is a tributary to Lake Erie in north-central Ohio in the United States. It is about 133 miles (214 km) long and flows into Lake Erie at the southwest side of Sandusky Bay.
The Sandusky River, like the Maumee River to the west, is home to the annual walleye run in the spring, specifically March–April. The river also receives a run of white bass around the same time in the spring. The numbers of walleye that return to spawn upstream are not as great as those that return to the Maumee River. The Ballville Dam, built on the Sandusky River in Fremont, Ohio, blocked migration for walleye and other fish. As fish can swim farther upstream in the Maumee, they have access to more spawning areas and have developed a larger population than in the Sandusky River.
Opponents of the dam projected that its removal would improve access for walleye and other migratory fish to areas upstream and lead to an increase in their population, as has happened on other rivers where dams have been removed. The Ballville Dam was no longer used for power generation or navigation improvements. The city of Fremont undertook a study to explore the options of tearing it down or repairing it. A 2014 study found that removal would have little adverse effect on city conditions and would strongly improve the fisheries. In 2016 voters approved taking down the dam. (Note: The Balville dam was demolished in July 2018).
The river's name derives from the Wyandot words saandusti, meaning "water (within water-pools)" or from andusti, meaning "cold water". It was transliterated in various spellings by French and English colonists.