The Black River[2] is a tributary of Lake Erie, about 12 mi (19 km) long, in northern Ohio in the United States.

[6]) The Black River is formed in the city of Elyria by the confluence of its east and west branches: 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 at 41°28′20″N 82°10′58″W / 41.472131°N 82.182886°W / 41.472131; -82.182886.

However, after remaining only twelve days, the group was prevented from settling here due to warnings by a local Native-American tribe ( about potential dangers from the inevitable "white" settlers), and so the group instead relocated to the Huron River, in (now) Milan, Ohio.

However, both of the individual falls near the City of Elyria are much larger—about 40 feet in height and absolutely perpendicular.

The single falls which Smith experienced over a period of many weeks may have been merely very steep rapids somewhere in the vicinity of (now) Milan, Ohio, but time and nature could have altered them beyond recognition, even by the mid-1800s.

Just as likely, Smith could be referring to the even shorter portage between the Black River and Killbuck Creek.