- Shawsheen River
The Shawsheen River is a tributary of the
Merrimack River in northeastMassachusetts . The name has had various spellings. According to Bailey's history of Andover, the spelling Shawshin was the most common in the old records, although Shawshine, Shashin, Shashine, Shashene, Shawshene, and later, Shawsheen, are found. The name, says Bailey, is said to mean "Great Spring." [Historical Sketches of Andover by Sarah Loring Bailey, 1880. [http://daynesfamilytree.netfirms.com/Chapter1-HistoricalSketchesofAndover.htm] ]The 25-mile river runs generally northward through the towns of Bedford, Billerica, Tewksbury, Andover, and Lawrence, where it meets up with the Merrimack. Like its parent, the river has played an important role in the development of the area, including industrial development, with many mills built to take advantage of the river's power. Today there are trails and parks located along several sections of the river and a preservation effort is carried out by the Shawsheen River Watershed Association.
References
External links
* [http://www.shawsheen.org Shawsheen River Watershed Association]
* [http://www.mass.gov/envir/water/shawsheen/shawsheen.htm Shawsheen River Watershed]
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