| Leading Creek | |
| Map: | Leading Creek Ohio map.png |
| Map Size: | 300 |
| Pushpin Map Size: | 300 |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | United States |
| Subdivision Type2: | State |
| Subdivision Name2: | Ohio |
| Subdivision Type3: | Counties |
| Subdivision Name3: | Athens, Meigs |
| Length: | 29.5miles |
| Source1 Location: | Lee Township, Athens County |
| Source1 Coordinates: | 39.2359°N -82.219°W[1] |
| Source1 Elevation: | 820feet[2] |
| Mouth: | Ohio River |
| Mouth Location: | Middleport |
| Mouth Coordinates: | 38.9845°N -82.0715°W |
| Mouth Elevation: | 538feet |
| Basin Size: | 150sqmi |
| Tributaries Left: | Little Leading Creek |
Leading Creek is a tributary of the Ohio River, 29.5miles long,[3] in southeastern Ohio in the United States. Via the Ohio River, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River, draining an area of 150sqmi[3] on the unglaciated portion of the Allegheny Plateau. The creek's headwaters are in southern Athens County and it flows for most of its length in western Meigs County; its tributaries also drain a small area of northeastern Gallia County.[4]
Leading Creek rises northwest of Albany in Lee Township in Athens County and initially flows southward into Meigs County, through Columbia Township, past the community of Carpenter; then southeastward through Salem, Rutland, and Salisbury townships, through the community of Langsville. It flows into the Ohio River at the south end of the village of Middleport.[4]
Little Leading Creek is a tributary of Leading Creek and flows for its entire length in Meigs County. It rises at 39.1483°N -82.1544°W in Scipio Township and flows southward through the village of Rutland to 39.0256°N -82.1375°W in Rutland Township.[4] [5] It is 10.6miles long and drains an area of 25.6sqmi.[3]