Located in northeast Massachusetts, the Shawsheen River is a tributary of the Merrimack River. The 25-mile river runs 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. State nickname: Bay State Official languages English Capital Boston Largest city Boston Governor Mitt Romney (R) Senators Edward Kennedy (D) John Kerry (D) Area - Total - % water Ranked 44th 27,360 km² 25. ... The Merrimack River, formed by the confluence of the Pemigewasset River (left) and Winnipesaukee River (right) is shown on a map of the northeastern United States The Merrimack River (or Merrimac River, an earlier spelling that is sometimes still used) is a 110-mile-long (177-kilometer-long) river in...
It rises at the confluence of the Pemigewasset and Winnipesaukee rivers in Franklin, New Hampshire,
Among its tributaries are the Souhegan River, which extends west from the town of Merrimack, New Hampshire, the Nashua River, which flows north into the city of Nashua, the Concord River, which flows north from Concord, Massachusetts to Lowell, and the ShawsheenRiver, which after also flowing north, joins the Merrimack at Lawrence.
While the Merrimack River is prone to minor flooding, on May 15, 2006 rainfall raised the river more than 8 feet above flood stage, forcing evacuations, damaging property, and breaking the main sewage pipeline in the city of Haverhill, Massachusetts, dumping 35 million gallons of raw sewage waste into the river per day.
Growing originally in the 19th century around mills located on the ShawsheenRiver, the village is a local historic district, boasting many varieties of historic architecture and a rich industrial heritage.
In the 18th century, the ShawsheenRiver and its water power attracted the Ballard Family, who came and built grist and saw mills.
Today the ShawsheenRiver Reservation, owned and operated by the Andover Village Improvement Society (A.V.I.S.), runs along the river from the village towards central Andover.
Feeds |
Contact