How do you pronounce the name of the Maumee River?  Meow-me? Mawl mee? Mommy?  Our Maumee River is one of Ohio’s scenic rivers and guests who are not local tend to mispronounce its wonderful name.  The Maumee River is just beautiful in any season. No, it’s not a crystal clear stream with clear rocks like you might see in New England, or a bubbling Smoky Mountain stream.  But it’s ours and we love it.

The Maumee River begins its journey to Lake Erie,  (yes it is one of the few rivers that actually flows north), in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.  The St. Joseph River and the St. Mary’s River meet to form the Maumee River and meanders for 137 miles to the Maumee Bay of Lake Erie in Toledo, Ohio.  It flows through many small towns, including Defiance, Napoleon, Florida, Texas, Grand Rapids, Waterville, Maumee, and Perrysburg until it finally reaches its destination at Lake Erie.

The Maumee River is known for some of the best walleye fishing in the US.  Hundreds of fisherman line the shores of the river in the early spring to catch these delicious fish.

Kayaking, canoeing, fishing, hiking, and bird watching are all favorite activities to do on the river.  Above Grand Rapids Dam the river is wide and deep where water skiing and wake boarding are popular. Lots of pontoon boats make their way lazily along its banks.

Providence Dam on the Maumee River

Lots of history was made on this river as well.  At Waterville, you can take a look at Roche de Bouf and the interurban bridge.  Roche de Bouf  ( rock of the buffalo ) was were Chief Little Turtle planned his battle with General Mad Anthony Wayne and the Battle of Fallen Timbers.

My favorite pastime on the river is sitting in one of our riverside swings and watching the wildlife.  Our guests seem to enjoy it as well. Beautiful in the morning with a cup of coffee or sit on our patio with a glass of wine and watch the Maumee River roll by. 

By the way, the name Maumee River.  Well it’s pronounced, Maw Mee.  Maumee is an anglicized spelling of the Ottawa Indians name for the Miami Tribe.  The Ottawa had a village at the mouth of the river and occupied a lot of land along the river in NW Ohio.

Life on the river is grand, and so is Grand Rapids, come stay with us and enjoy the beauty of nature!

Grace and Peace,
Kathy