Pemigewasset River

Course of the Pemigewasset River

Franklin Falls Dam above Franklin

The Pemigewasset River ( ˌ pɛmɨdʒəwɑsɨt ) is the true source of the river Merrimack River in the U.S. state of New Hampshire.

The 105 km long river drains an area of approximately 2645 km ². The name " Pemigewasset " comes from the language of the Abenaki. The word bemijijoasek [ bəmidzidzoasək ] means " side where the flow takes place ."

Geography

The Pemigewasset originates in Franconia Notch State Park in Franconia, and flowing through shortly after the Profile Lake. It flows south through the White Mountains and joins in Franklin with the Winnipesaukee River to the Merrimack River.

Interstate 93 runs between Franconia Notch and New Hampton parallel to the river. On his run of the Pemigewasset River passes through the places Lincoln, North Woodstock, Woodstock, Thornton, Campton, Plymouth, Ashland, Bridgewater, Bristol, New Hampton, Hill, Sanbornton and Franklin.

In the course of the river several waterfalls located in Franconia Notch, about The Basin, in North Woodstock and north of Plymouth ( Livermore Falls). The rest of the northern part of the river from Lincoln to Ashland is a Braided River, which flows over stone steps and thus attracts boaters and anglers.

Below Ashland the river for eight kilometers Ayers Iceland reservoir is dammed to form water-powered electricity. Below the dam is a short whitewater section before the river the slow flowing water above the flood retention basin reached Franklin Falls. Erected 1943 Franklin Falls Dam is mainly for flood protection.

Before the river then flows together in the center of Franklin with the Winnipesaukee River, it drives again at a hydroelectric power plant.

The catchment area of ​​the Pemigewasset Rivers consists of more than 1700 km of water courses and 69 km ² lake areas, including artificial reservoirs. It contributes about 20 % of the total catchment area of the Merrimack River.

Tributaries

The most important tributaries of the river are:

  • East Branch Pemigewasset River. This arm is larger and longer than the main arm of the river.
  • Mad River
  • Beebe River
  • Baker River
  • Squam River ( outlet of Squam Lakes )
  • Newfound River ( outlet of Newfound Lakes )
  • Smith River

Hydropower plants

At the Pemigewasset River are two hydroelectric power plants.

Hydropower plants in downstream direction:

Town Franklin (New Hampshire) Municipality Bristol (New Hampshire) White Mountains (New Hampshire)
641028
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