Maumee River Rapids

Maumee River Rapids (Oak Openings Loop)

The Maumee confluences with Lake Erie at Toledo, and because of the river’s size, many birds use it to rest and refuel, including a number of species not normally found away from Lake Erie. 

Key Species by Season

Spring

• Great Blue Heron
• Osprey
• Greater Yellowlegs

Summer

• Cliff Swallow
• Bald Eagle
• Great Egret

Fall

• Bank Swallow
• Lesser Yellowlegs
• Cedar Waxwing

Winter

• Common Goldeneye
• Glaucous Gull
• Iceland Gull

At-a-Glance

86 - Maumee River Rapids
86A - Providence Dam
86B - Farnsworth Metropark
86C - Side Cut Metropark

See the dropdowns below for more information about each of these locations. 

Providence Dam

13827 S River Rd, Grand Rapids, OH 43522

Public Access
Open daily, 7 a.m. to dark

Amenities
Trails and overlooks offering views of the Maumee River, Restrooms

GPS Coordinates
N 41º 24'52.08"; W 83º 51'57.05"

Driving Directions
Providence Metropark is located by the Providence Dam, and is just across the river from Grand Rapids. Entry points are along the south side of U.S. Route 24

Additional Resources
Metroparks of the Toledo Area  
Ohio Ornithological Society  

Farnsworth Metropark

8505 South River Road (U.S. Route 24)
Waterville, OH 43566

Public Access
Open daily, 7 a.m. to dark

Amenities
Trails, Restrooms, Overlooks of the Maumee River

GPS Coordinates
N 41º 29'20.74"; W 83º 42'52.47"

Driving Directions
Along the south side of U.S. Route 24 between Waterville-Monclova and Noward roads, just west of Waterville.

Additional Resources
Metroparks of the Toledo Area  
Ohio Ornithological Society  

Side Cut Metropark

1025 West River Road
Maumee, OH 43537

Public Access
Open daily, 7 a.m. to dusk

Amenities
Visitor’s Center, Window on Wildlife, Trails, Restrooms

GPS Coordinates
N 41º 32'42.90"; W 83º 41'9.97"

Driving Directions
Various entry points to the park are off North River Road, and West River Road, which parallels the north bank of the Maumee River. The park is easily accessed from U.S. Route 24 by exiting at Fallen Timbers Lane and following signage.

Additional Resources
Metroparks of the Toledo Area  
Ohio Ornithological Society 

What to Look For

The great Maumee River is the largest tributary that enters Lake Erie in Ohio. It drains parts of Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio and is formed by the joining of the St. Joseph and St. Marys rivers. The Maumee confluences with Lake Erie at Toledo, and because of the river’s size, many birds use it to rest and refuel, including a number of species not normally found away from Lake Erie.

The section of river referred to as the “rapids” extends from Sidecut Metropark at the Interstate 475 bridge upstream to Providence Dam. While interesting birding opportunities exist in any month, the rapids are best during low flow periods when shorebirds stop to forage in the river, and winter when great numbers of gulls sometimes congregate. Rare gulls that are regularly recorded include Glaucous, Iceland, Lesser Black-backed, and Thayer’s gulls. There is one record of Mew Gull. Nearly all regularly occurring shorebird can be tallied, including uncommon species such as American Avocet, Marbled Godwit, and Whimbrel. Red-necked and Wilson’s phalaropes are possible, and Ruff has been recorded.

In the colder months, good numbers of waterfowl congregate in the rapids, especially divers such as Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Canvasback, both scaup, and others.

About the Oak Openings Loop

The Oak Openings is legendary for the diversity of rare plants that occur here. The highly specialized habitats that comprise this ecosystem support more species of state-listed rare plants than any other region of Ohio.

The defining feature of the Oak Openings is sand. This unique region is situated on the former shores of preglacial Lake Warren, modern day Lake Erie’s much larger predecessor. As Lake Warren receded, it left its dunes and beach ridges in its wake, and these sands are now carpeted with oak savannas, dry prairie, and wet sedge meadows in low-lying areas.

What To Look For

The Oak Openings buffers the western end of Lake Erie, and lies just west of Toledo. The sandy prairies, wet sedge meadows, and oak savannas of this highly specialized ecosystem once covered about 300 square miles; today, only about 130 square miles remain. This region contains the best habitats to be found in the northwestern corner of Ohio, and many bird species breed in the Oak Openings that are difficult or impossible to find elsewhere in this region. The Oak Openings is also known for its fall hawk flights. Raptors streaming around the western end of Lake Erie funnel through this area, sometimes in large numbers. The largest kettle of Broad-winged Hawks recorded in Ohio was seen near Perrysburg – about 20,000 birds on September 18th, 2002.

Noteworthy Rarities

A number of species breed in the Oak Openings that are a challenge to find elsewhere in northern Ohio, such as Eastern Whip-poor-will, Summer Tanager, and on occasion, Blue Grosbeak. The premier breeding rarity is the Lark Sparrow; the Oak Openings population is the easternmost in this species’ range. Other western species, such as Clay-colored Sparrow and Western Meadowlark, have bred or attempted to breed in this area as well. Golden Eagles are regularly spotted in migration, and good numbers of winter finches can occur. The last Ohio record of Pine Grosbeak came from the Oak Openings, in winter 2007-08. The total species list for the loop is about 300, and three of those – Atlantic Puffin (only Ohio record), Black-billed Magpie, and Mountain Bluebird – have been found only in this region.

Natural Features

The Oak Openings is legendary for the diversity of rare plants that occur here. The highly specialized habitats that comprise this ecosystem support more species of state-listed rare plants than any other region of Ohio. A great diversity of animals lives in these plant communities. Spotted turtles, blue racers, and blue-spotted salamanders are just a few of the unusual animals that can be found. The poster child for rare Oak Openings animals is the tiny Karner blue butterfly, a federally endangered species. It depends in part on rare wild lupine plants that flourish in the Oak Openings savannas.