Black River (Ohio) - Course

Course

The Black River is formed in the city of Elyria by the confluence of its east and west branches:

• The East Branch Black River is formed in northwestern Medina County by the confluence of two short tributaries, the East Fork Black River and the West Fork East Branch Black River. The East Fork flows southwardly past Lodi before turning northwestwardly, and the West Fork rises in northeastern Ashland County and flows generally eastwardly into Medina County; the two join about 1 mi (2 km) northwest of Lodi, and the East Branch then flows generally northwardly into Lorain County, past Grafton. It drains an area of 222 mi² (575 km²).
• The West Branch Black River, about 30 mi (48 km) long, rises in northern Ashland County and flows generally northeastwardly into Lorain County, past Rochester. It drains an area of 174 mi² (451 km²).

From the confluence of the branches in Elyria, the Black River flows generally northwardly past Sheffield into the city of Lorain, where it enters Lake Erie. The mouth of the river forms part of the harbor of Lorain.