Kokosing River

The Kokosing River (ko-KO-sing) is a tributary of the Walhonding River, 57.2 miles (92.1 km) long, in east-central Ohio in the United States. Via the Walhonding, Muskingum and Ohio Rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River, draining an area of 482 square miles (1248 km²).[3] Etymologically, "Kokosing" translates roughly to "River of Little Owls." [4] The Kokosing River rises in Morrow County, northeast of Mount Gilead, and initially flows southwardly. It turns eastwardly near Chesterville and flows through Knox and Coshocton Counties, passing the communities of Mount Vernon, Gambier and Howard. In western Coshocton County the Kokosing joins the Mohican River to form the Walhonding River, about 2 miles (3 km) northwest of Nellie.[5]

Kokosing River
The Kokosing River in Mount Vernon
Location
Country	United States
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Morrow County, Ohio
Mouth
• location	Walhonding River, western Coshocton County, Ohio
Length	57.2 mi (92.1 km)
Basin size	482 sq mi (1,250 km2)
Discharge
• location	Millwood
• average	480.9 cu ft/s (13.62 m3/s), USGS water years 1922-1974[1]
Discharge
• location	mouth
• average	547.18 cu ft/s (15.494 m3/s) (estimate)[2]

Map of the Walhonding watershed showing Kokosing River

The Kokosing River as viewed from the Kokosing Gap Trail near Gambier

Upstream of Mount Vernon, the Kokosing collects its largest tributary, the North Branch Kokosing River,[6] which rises in Morrow County and flows southeastwardly through Knox County, past Fredericktown.[5]

Between Mount Vernon and Howard, the river is roughly paralleled by a rail trail, the Kokosing Gap Trail[7] which continues to the town of Danville.