Taunton River

Geobox|River
name = Taunton River
native_name =
other_name = Taunton Great River
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image_caption = Taunton River at Weir Village, Taunton, Massachusetts
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country = United States
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state = Massachusetts
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city = Taunton
city1 = Fall River
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length_imperial = 36
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mouth_name = Mount Hope Bay
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The Taunton River (historically also called the "Taunton Great River"), is a river in southeastern Massachusetts in the United States. It arises from the confluence of the Town River and Matfield River, in the town of Bridgewater. From there it meanders through the towns of North Middleboro and Raynham, through the city of Taunton for which it is named, to Fall River where it joins Mount Hope Bay, an arm of Narragansett Bay.

Description

The total length of the river is 44 miles (71 km). It has a watershed of 562 square miles (1,456 km²). The river's watershed includes the Hockomock Swamp, the largest freshwater wetland in the state. The Taunton River has is one of the flattest rivers in New England, dropping only about twenty feet (6 m) in elevation over its length. [ [http://www.tauntonriver.org/ecology.htm Taunton River Ecology] ] The river is tidal as far north as Taunton.

History

Since the development of industry beginning with the iron works of the mid-17th century, the Taunton River has played an important role in the economy of the Greater Taunton Area. The shipbuilding industry was very active in the Taunton area during the 19th century. [ [http://www.tauntonriver.org/shipbuilding.htm History of the Taunton River] ]

The River Today

The Taunton River is the longest coastal river in New England without dams and supports 45 species of fish and many species of shellfish. The watershed is the habitat for 154 types of birds, including 12 rare types. It is also home to otter, mink, grey fox and deer. [ [http://www.heraldnews.com/news/local_news/x1713649396/Taunton-River-moves-closer-to-scenic-status Herald News June 26, 2008] ]

Battleship Cove, the world's largest museum of warships, is located on the Fall River side of the river at its confluence with Mount Hope Bay, beneath the Braga Bridge.

The river is currently under study for possible inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic River System. The Taunton River is the principal river that makes up the Taunton River Watershed.

Crossings

*List of crossings of the Taunton River

Main Tributaries

*Nemasket River, at Middleborough
*Mill River, at Taunton
*Three Mile River at Dighton
*Assonet River at Freetown
*Quequechan River at Fall River

ee also

*Fall River, Massachusetts
*List of Massachusetts rivers
*Taunton, Massachusetts
*Three Mile River
*Weetamoo

External links

*Gnis|619353|Taunton River
* [http://www.amrivers.org/rivers/tauntonriver.htm American Rivers site] on the Taunton River.
* [http://www.wildlandstrust.org Taunton River Stewardship Program: The Wildlands Trust of Southeastern Massachusetts]
* [http://www.savethetaunton.org/ Taunton River Watershed Alliance]
* [http://www.edc.uri.edu/riatlas/watershed/Taunton.html University of Rhode Island: Taunton River Watershed] critical resource atlas.
* [http://www.tauntonriver.org/abouttaunton.htm TauntonRiver.org]
* [http://www.glooskapandthefrog.org/ Taunton River Journal]

References