Assabet River

Assabet River in Maynard MA

Course of the Assabet River (left source river of the Concord River)

The Assabet River is the source of the river left Concord River in Massachusetts - about 30 kilometers west of Boston.

Geography

The Assabet River rises in a swamp in Westborough and from there flows in a northeasterly direction through the towns of Northborough, Marlborough, Berlin, Hudson, Stow, Maynard and Acton. In its course it overcomes a difference in altitude of about 65 meters. After about 50 km, it unites in Concord, Massachusetts with the Sudbury River. Riverside are nine dams and more than forty bridges. Its catchment area extends over 458 km2. In the course of Maynard, he is classified in grades I and II.

Meaning of the name

Before colonization by the British immigrants, lived here the root of Pawtucket, as the river rich fish stocks offered. The meaning of the name can be found in the language of the Algonquian. It consists of three parts assa - pe - t. Assa has reversed the meaning of. Pe is the short form in compound words for water and t is a location- determining appendage. This gives the meaning The place where the water reverses (the river ). In fact, the Assabet River does not flow with high water levels with the Subury River towards Concord River but flows into the marshland.

History

On 9 April 1999, the lower 7 km of the Assabet River as a National Wild and Scenic River were excellent.

Environment

Fauna

In the Assabet River, there are several species. Among American carp, turtles and freshwater mussels. Just as in the Concord River formerly lived Alosa in Assabet. But again, this species disappeared as dams were built in the river and the Alosa could not freely withdraw to the sea and.

Flora

The predominant plant species in the Assabet are water lilies, algae and reeds.

Water quality

The biggest problem of the river is the nutrient supersaturation with nitrates and phosphates. In the summer, parts of the water surface are completely covered with algae and other aquatic plants. The plants affect the concentration of undissolved oxygen and the pH of the river and create problems for fish and other aquatic animals. In autumn, the decomposition of the plants produces an unpleasant smell along the river.

The nutrient surplus has the river as far damaged that it does not meet the water quality standards of the State of Massachusetts for fishable waters and beschwimmbare.

Economy

The Assabet River was in the course of time an energy supplier for various industries. 1658 was operated with his strength early ironworks. Over time, there were several mills on its banks, several tanneries, a distillery and a number of shoe factories.