Assabet River
| Assabet River | ||
 Assabet River at Maynard MA |
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| Data | ||
| Water code | US : 619298 | |
| location | Massachusetts (USA) | |
| River system | Merrimack River | |
| Drain over | Concord River → Merrimack River → Atlantic Ocean | |
| source | Marshes north of Westborough MA 42 ° 16 ′ 0 ″ N , 71 ° 38 ′ 9 ″ W |
|
| Source height | approx. 106 m | |
| Association with |
Sudbury River to Concord River Coordinates: 42 ° 27 ′ 52 " N , 71 ° 21 ′ 30" W 42 ° 27 ′ 52 " N , 71 ° 21 ′ 30" W |
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| Mouth height | 33 m | |
| Height difference | approx. 73 m | |
| Bottom slope | approx. 1.5 ‰ | |
| length | 50 km | |
| Catchment area | 458 km² | |
| Small towns | Hudson , Maynard , West Concord | |
| National Wild and Scenic River | ||
 Course of the Assabet River (left source of the Concord River) |
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The Assabet River is the left headwaters of the Concord River in the US state of Massachusetts - about 30 km west of Boston .
geography
The Assabet River has its source in a marshland in Westborough and flows from there 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 around 65 meters. After about 50 km it unites in Concord , Massachusetts with the Sudbury River . There are nine dams and over forty bridges on the river. Its catchment area extends over 458 km 2 . In the course of Maynard he is classified into grades I and II .
Meaning of the name
Before the settlement by British immigrants, the Pawtucket tribe lived here, as the river offered abundant fish stocks. The meaning of the name can be found in the Algonquin language . It consists of the three parts assa - pe - t . Assa has the meaning of repent . Pe is short for water in compound words and the t is a locational appendix. This gives the meaning The place where the water (river) reverses . In fact, when the water level is high, the Assabet River does not flow with the Sudbury River towards the Concord River, but rather flows into the marshland .
history
On April 9, 1999, the lower four miles of the Assabet River was designated a National Wild and Scenic River .
environment
fauna
Various animal species exist in the Assabet River. Including American carp , water turtles and freshwater clams . Just like in the Concord River , Alosa used to live in Assabet . But here, too, this species of fish disappeared when dams were built in the river and the Alosa could no longer retreat freely to the sea and back.
flora
The predominant plant species in Assabet are water lilies , algae and reeds .
Water quality
The river's main problem is nutrient oversaturation 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, creating problems for fish and other aquatic animals. In the fall, the decomposition of the plants creates an unpleasant smell along the river.
The excess nutrients have damaged the river to such an extent that it does not meet Massachusetts state water quality standards for fishable and swimable waters.
economy
Over time, the Assabet River was a source of energy for various industries. As early as 1658, an early ironworks was operated with his strength. In the course of time there were several mills , various tanneries , a distillery and a number of shoe factories on its banks .
literature
- McAdow, Ron: The Concord, Sudbury and Assabet Rivers, A Guide to Canoeing, Wildlife and History , Second Edition, Bliss Publishing Co. 2000, ISBN 0-9625144-4-6
Web links
- Sudbury Assabet & Concord Wild & Scenic River Stewardship Council: Wild & Scenic Rivers Program
- Organization for the Assabet River website
Individual evidence
- ^ Assabet River in the Geographic Names Information System of the United States Geological Survey
- ↑ Website of the American Whitewater Organization (English) ( Memento of the original from December 11, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , accessed December 18, 2008
- ^ National Wild & Scenic Rivers: Sudbury, Assabet & Concord Rivers, Massachusetts
- ↑ Sudbury Assabet & Concord Wild & Scenic River Stewardship Council: Wild & Scenic Rivers Program ( Memento of the original dated December 8, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ (Engl.) Website of the Organization for the Assabet River on the fish stock ( Memento of the original on 28 April 2009 at the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link is automatically inserted and not yet tested. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , accessed December 18, 2008
- ↑ a b Website of the Organization for the Assabet River on water pollution (Engl.) ( Page no longer available , searching web archives ) Info: The link is automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , accessed December 18, 2008
