Souhegan River

The Souhegan River is a tributary of the Merrimack River in the northeastern United States. 33.8 miles (54.4 km) [ [http://www.granit.sr.unh.edu New Hampshire GRANIT state geographic information system] ] long with a drainage area of 171 sq. mi., it flows north and east through southern New Hampshire to the Merrimack River.

The river begins in New Ipswich, New Hampshire, at the junction of the river's South Branch and West Branch. Flowing northeast, it passes through the center of Greenville and descends through a narrow valley to Wilton, where it turns east. The river valley broadens below Wilton, and the river passes through the center of Milford, crosses the southern portion of Amherst, and enters the town of Merrimack. Shortly upstream of the town center, the river passes over Wildcat Falls, then crosses under the Everett Turnpike and U.S. Route 3 to reach the Merrimack River. A USGS river gauge is located [http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?01094000 here] .

The river is used for water supplies, a small amount of hydropower, and recreation. There are 28 threatened or endangered species sharing the watershed with 35,000 people. It is part of the New Hampshire Rivers Management Protection Program.

Etymology

The name "Souhegan" comes from the language of the Native American Algonquins, meaning "waiting and watching place". Tribal fishermen set weirs across the rapids, and then waited and watched for fish, including salmon, alewives, sturgeon, and eels.

The name of Skowhegan, Maine comes from the same term.

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