Androscoggin River
Encyclopedia
The Androscoggin River is a river in the U.S.
states of Maine
and New Hampshire
, in northern New England
. It is 178 miles (286.5 km) long and joins the Kennebec River
at Merrymeeting Bay
in Maine before its water empties into the Gulf of Maine
on the Atlantic Ocean
. Its drainage basin
is 3530 square miles (9,142.7 km²) in area. The name "Androscoggin" comes from the Eastern Abenaki term /aləssíkɑntəkw/ or /alsíkɑntəkw/, meaning "river of cliff rock shelters" (literally "thus-deep-dwelling-river"); or perhaps from Penobscot /aləsstkɑtəkʷ/, meaning "river of rock shelters".
, where the Magalloway River
joins the outlet of Umbagog Lake. The river flows generally south but with numerous bends past the towns of Errol and Milan
and the city of Berlin
before turning east at the town of Gorham, New Hampshire
to cut across the northern end of the White Mountains
and enter Maine. Continuing east, the river passes the towns of Bethel
, Rumford, and Dixfield before turning south at the town of Livermore Falls
and leaving the mountains behind. The river passes through the twin cities of Lewiston
and Auburn
, turns southeast, passes the community of Lisbon Falls
and reaches tidewater just below the final falls in the town of Brunswick
. Merrymeeting Bay is a 10 miles (16.1 km) long freshwater estuary
where the Androscoggin meets the Kennebec River nearly 20 miles (32.2 km) inland from the Atlantic Ocean.
by a variety of textile mills, paper mill
s, and other industries located along its banks, and helped inspire the Clean Water Act
. Although the river has benefited greatly from environmental work and the departure of certain types of industry from the region, recent EPA
test results indicate unacceptably high levels of mercury
-contaminated wastewater are still being discharged into the river from numerous paper mills. One environmentalist group has cited the results in calling the Androscoggin one of the 20 most polluted rivers in America. One 14 miles (22.5 km) stretch requires oxygen bubblers to prevent fish from suffocating. As of May 2007, environmental groups have a lawsuit pending, in an attempt to force the paper mills located along the river to clean their waste streams. Companies have resisted, citing cost.
The first is at Errol, New Hampshire
(44°46′57"N 71°07′46"W) where the watershed is 1046 square miles (2,709.1 km²). Flow here has ranged from 16,500 to 0 ft³/s (467 and 0 m³/s) (zero flow when dam closed). The mean annual flow between 1905 and 2005 is 1,919 ft³/s (54.3 m³/s).
The second is near Gorham, New Hampshire
(44°26′10"N 71°11′27"W) where the watershed is 1361 square miles (3,525 km²). Flow here has ranged from 21,900 to a mean daily low of 795 ft³/s (620 and 22.5 m³/s) (lows when dam closed). The mean annual flow between 1905 and 2005 is 2,512 ft³/s (71 m³/s).
The third is at Rumford, Maine (44°33′04"N 70°32′38"W) where the watershed is 2068 square miles (5,356.1 km²). Flow here has ranged from 74,000 to 625 ft³/s (2,094 and 17.7 m³/s). The mean annual flow between 1905 and 2005 is 3,801 ft³/s (107.6 m³/s).
The fourth is at Auburn, Maine
(44°04′20"N 70°12′31"W) where the watershed is 3263 square miles (8,451.1 km²). Flow here has ranged from 135,000 to 340 ft³/s (3,820.5 and 9.6 m³/s).
, rainbow
and brown trout
, as well as landlocked salmon
and smallmouth bass
. The upper reaches near Errol, New Hampshire are popular with local and visiting fly fishermen
for the chance to catch landlocked salmon from a drift boat. Although the upper reaches contain some bass, the river warms as it flows into Maine, and smallmouth bass are the chief quarry in its lower reaches.
The Androscoggin drops an average of eight feet per mile, making it a prime industrial river. It flows through Lewiston-Auburn, Maine where it was a major source of power for local industry.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
states of Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
and New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
, in northern New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
. It is 178 miles (286.5 km) long and joins the Kennebec River
Kennebec River
The Kennebec River is a river that is entirely within the U.S. state of Maine. It rises in Moosehead Lake in west-central Maine. The East and West Outlets join at Indian Pond and the river then flows southward...
at Merrymeeting Bay
Merrymeeting Bay
Merrymeeting Bay is a large freshwater tidal bay in Sagadahoc, Lincoln, and Cumberland counties, in the U.S. state of Maine. Merrymeeting Bay's unusual geography defies common landform terms. It is not what is usually meant by the word bay. It is somewhat like an estuary except for being fresh...
in Maine before its water empties into the Gulf of Maine
Gulf of Maine
The Gulf of Maine is a large gulf of the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast of North America.It is delineated by Cape Cod at the eastern tip of Massachusetts in the southwest and Cape Sable at the southern tip of Nova Scotia in the northeast. It includes the entire coastlines of the U.S...
on the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
. Its drainage basin
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
is 3530 square miles (9,142.7 km²) in area. The name "Androscoggin" comes from the Eastern Abenaki term /aləssíkɑntəkw/ or /alsíkɑntəkw/, meaning "river of cliff rock shelters" (literally "thus-deep-dwelling-river"); or perhaps from Penobscot /aləsstkɑtəkʷ/, meaning "river of rock shelters".
Course
The Androscoggin begins in Errol, New HampshireErrol, New Hampshire
Errol is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 291 at the 2010 census. It is located north of the White Mountains along Route 16 at the intersection of Route 26...
, where the Magalloway River
Magalloway River
The Magalloway River is a river in northwestern Maine and northern New Hampshire in the United States. It is a tributary of the Androscoggin River, which flows to the Kennebec River at Merrymeeting Bay in Maine, near the Atlantic Ocean...
joins the outlet of Umbagog Lake. The river flows generally south but with numerous bends past the towns of Errol and Milan
Milan, New Hampshire
Milan is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,337 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Berlin, NH–VT Micropolitan Statistical Area....
and the city of Berlin
Berlin, New Hampshire
Berlin is a city along the Androscoggin River in Coos County in northern New Hampshire, United States. The population was 10,051 at the 2010 census. It includes the village of Cascade. Located on the edge of the White Mountains, the city's boundaries extend into the White Mountain National Forest...
before turning east at the town of Gorham, New Hampshire
Gorham, New Hampshire
Gorham is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,848 at the 2010 census. Gorham is located in the White Mountains, and parts of the White Mountain National Forest are in the south and northwest. Moose Brook State Park is in the west. The town is crossed by the...
to cut across the northern end of the White Mountains
White Mountains (New Hampshire)
The White Mountains are a mountain range covering about a quarter of the state of New Hampshire and a small portion of western Maine in the United States. Part of the Appalachian Mountains, they are considered the most rugged mountains in New England...
and enter Maine. Continuing east, the river passes the towns of Bethel
Bethel, Maine
Bethel is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,411 at the 2000 census. It includes the villages of West Bethel and South Bethel...
, Rumford, and Dixfield before turning south at the town of Livermore Falls
Livermore Falls, Maine
Livermore Falls is a town in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 3,227 at the 2000 census. It is included in both the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan New England City and Town Area...
and leaving the mountains behind. The river passes through the twin cities of Lewiston
Lewiston, Maine
Lewiston is a city in Androscoggin County in Maine, and the second-largest city in the state. The population was 41,592 at the 2010 census. It is one of two principal cities of and included within the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine...
and Auburn
Auburn, Maine
Auburn is a city in and the county seat of Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 23,055 at the 2010 census. It is one of two principal cities of and included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan...
, turns southeast, passes the community of Lisbon Falls
Lisbon Falls, Maine
Lisbon Falls is a census-designated place in the town of Lisbon, located in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population of Lisbon Falls was 4,420 at the 2000 census...
and reaches tidewater just below the final falls in the town of Brunswick
Brunswick, Maine
Brunswick is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The population was 20,278 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Portland-South Portland-Biddeford metropolitan area. Brunswick is home to Bowdoin College, the Bowdoin College Museum of Art, the Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum, , and the...
. Merrymeeting Bay is a 10 miles (16.1 km) long freshwater estuary
Estuary
An estuary is a partly enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea....
where the Androscoggin meets the Kennebec River nearly 20 miles (32.2 km) inland from the Atlantic Ocean.
Water quality
The Androscoggin was once heavily pollutedWater pollution
Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies . Water pollution occurs when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies without adequate treatment to remove harmful compounds....
by a variety of textile mills, paper mill
Paper mill
A paper mill is a factory devoted to making paper from vegetable fibres such as wood pulp, old rags and other ingredients using a Fourdrinier machine or other type of paper machine.- History :...
s, and other industries located along its banks, and helped inspire the Clean Water Act
Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act is the primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution. Commonly abbreviated as the CWA, the act established the goals of eliminating releases of high amounts of toxic substances into water, eliminating additional water pollution by 1985, and ensuring that...
. Although the river has benefited greatly from environmental work and the departure of certain types of industry from the region, recent EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
test results indicate unacceptably high levels of mercury
Mercury (element)
Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is also known as quicksilver or hydrargyrum...
-contaminated wastewater are still being discharged into the river from numerous paper mills. One environmentalist group has cited the results in calling the Androscoggin one of the 20 most polluted rivers in America. One 14 miles (22.5 km) stretch requires oxygen bubblers to prevent fish from suffocating. As of May 2007, environmental groups have a lawsuit pending, in an attempt to force the paper mills located along the river to clean their waste streams. Companies have resisted, citing cost.
Streamflow
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) maintains four river flow gauges on the Androscoggin River. All four are below one or more dams.The first is at Errol, New Hampshire
Errol, New Hampshire
Errol is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 291 at the 2010 census. It is located north of the White Mountains along Route 16 at the intersection of Route 26...
(44°46′57"N 71°07′46"W) where the watershed is 1046 square miles (2,709.1 km²). Flow here has ranged from 16,500 to 0 ft³/s (467 and 0 m³/s) (zero flow when dam closed). The mean annual flow between 1905 and 2005 is 1,919 ft³/s (54.3 m³/s).
The second is near Gorham, New Hampshire
Gorham, New Hampshire
Gorham is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,848 at the 2010 census. Gorham is located in the White Mountains, and parts of the White Mountain National Forest are in the south and northwest. Moose Brook State Park is in the west. The town is crossed by the...
(44°26′10"N 71°11′27"W) where the watershed is 1361 square miles (3,525 km²). Flow here has ranged from 21,900 to a mean daily low of 795 ft³/s (620 and 22.5 m³/s) (lows when dam closed). The mean annual flow between 1905 and 2005 is 2,512 ft³/s (71 m³/s).
The third is at Rumford, Maine (44°33′04"N 70°32′38"W) where the watershed is 2068 square miles (5,356.1 km²). Flow here has ranged from 74,000 to 625 ft³/s (2,094 and 17.7 m³/s). The mean annual flow between 1905 and 2005 is 3,801 ft³/s (107.6 m³/s).
The fourth is at Auburn, Maine
Auburn, Maine
Auburn is a city in and the county seat of Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 23,055 at the 2010 census. It is one of two principal cities of and included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan...
(44°04′20"N 70°12′31"W) where the watershed is 3263 square miles (8,451.1 km²). Flow here has ranged from 135,000 to 340 ft³/s (3,820.5 and 9.6 m³/s).
Angling the Androscoggin
The Androscoggin River is a popular fishing destination for anglers seeking brookBrook trout
The brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, is a species of fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes. In many parts of its range, it is known as the speckled trout or squaretail. A potamodromous population in Lake Superior are known as coaster trout or, simply, as coasters...
, rainbow
Rainbow trout
The rainbow trout is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is a sea run rainbow trout usually returning to freshwater to spawn after 2 to 3 years at sea. In other words, rainbow trout and steelhead trout are the same species....
and brown trout
Brown trout
The brown trout and the sea trout are fish of the same species....
, as well as landlocked salmon
Atlantic salmon
The Atlantic salmon is a species of fish in the family Salmonidae, which is found in the northern Atlantic Ocean and in rivers that flow into the north Atlantic and the north Pacific....
and smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
The smallmouth bass is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of the order Perciformes. It is the type species of its genus...
. The upper reaches near Errol, New Hampshire are popular with local and visiting fly fishermen
Fly fishing
Fly fishing is an angling method in which an artificial 'fly' is used to catch fish. The fly is cast using a fly rod, reel, and specialized weighted line. Casting a nearly weightless fly or 'lure' requires casting techniques significantly different from other forms of casting...
for the chance to catch landlocked salmon from a drift boat. Although the upper reaches contain some bass, the river warms as it flows into Maine, and smallmouth bass are the chief quarry in its lower reaches.
History
According to the USGS, variant names for the Androscoggin River include: Amasagu'nteg, Amascongan, Ambrose Coggin, Ammeriscoggin, Ammoscoggin, Amos Coggin, Amoscommun, Anasagunticook, Anconganunticook, Andrews Coggin, Andros Coggan, Andros Coggin, Androscoggen, Andrus Coggin, Aumoughcaugen, Pescedona, and Ameriscoggin River.The Androscoggin drops an average of eight feet per mile, making it a prime industrial river. It flows through Lewiston-Auburn, Maine where it was a major source of power for local industry.
Major tributaries
Listed from source to mouth of Androscoggin, with location of tributary's mouth:- Magalloway RiverMagalloway RiverThe Magalloway River is a river in northwestern Maine and northern New Hampshire in the United States. It is a tributary of the Androscoggin River, which flows to the Kennebec River at Merrymeeting Bay in Maine, near the Atlantic Ocean...
, Errol, New HampshireErrol, New HampshireErrol is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 291 at the 2010 census. It is located north of the White Mountains along Route 16 at the intersection of Route 26... - Clear StreamClear StreamClear Stream is an 11.8 mile long river in northern New Hampshire in the United States. It is a tributary of the Androscoggin River, which flows south and east into Maine, joining the Kennebec River near the Atlantic Ocean....
, Errol, New HampshireErrol, New HampshireErrol is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 291 at the 2010 census. It is located north of the White Mountains along Route 16 at the intersection of Route 26... - Mollidgewock BrookMollidgewock BrookMollidgewock Brook is a 12.6 mile long stream in northern New Hampshire and western Maine in the United States. It is a tributary of the Androscoggin River, which flows south and east into Maine, joining the Kennebec River near the Atlantic Ocean.Mollidgewock Brook flows out of Mollidgewock Pond...
, Errol, New HampshireErrol, New HampshireErrol is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 291 at the 2010 census. It is located north of the White Mountains along Route 16 at the intersection of Route 26... - Chickwolnepy StreamChickwolnepy StreamChickwolnepy Stream is a 14.2 mile long river in northern New Hampshire in the United States. It is a tributary of the Androscoggin River, which flows south and east into Maine, joining the Kennebec River near the Atlantic Ocean....
, Milan, New HampshireMilan, New HampshireMilan is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,337 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Berlin, NH–VT Micropolitan Statistical Area.... - Dead RiverDead River (New Hampshire)The Dead River is a river located entirely in the city of Berlin in northern New Hampshire in the United States. It is a tributary of the Androscoggin River, which flows south and east into Maine, joining the Kennebec River near the Atlantic Ocean....
, Berlin, New HampshireBerlin, New HampshireBerlin is a city along the Androscoggin River in Coos County in northern New Hampshire, United States. The population was 10,051 at the 2010 census. It includes the village of Cascade. Located on the edge of the White Mountains, the city's boundaries extend into the White Mountain National Forest... - Moose Brook, Gorham, New HampshireGorham, New HampshireGorham is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,848 at the 2010 census. Gorham is located in the White Mountains, and parts of the White Mountain National Forest are in the south and northwest. Moose Brook State Park is in the west. The town is crossed by the...
- Moose RiverMoose River (New Hampshire)The Moose River is an long stream in northern New Hampshire in the United States. It is a tributary of the Androscoggin River, which flows south and east into Maine, joining the Kennebec River near the Atlantic Ocean....
, Gorham, New HampshireGorham, New HampshireGorham is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,848 at the 2010 census. Gorham is located in the White Mountains, and parts of the White Mountain National Forest are in the south and northwest. Moose Brook State Park is in the west. The town is crossed by the... - Peabody RiverPeabody RiverThe Peabody River is a 12.9 mile long river in the White Mountains of New Hampshire in the United States. It is a tributary of the Androscoggin River, which flows south and east into Maine, joining the Kennebec River near the Atlantic Ocean....
, Gorham, New HampshireGorham, New HampshireGorham is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,848 at the 2010 census. Gorham is located in the White Mountains, and parts of the White Mountain National Forest are in the south and northwest. Moose Brook State Park is in the west. The town is crossed by the... - Wild RiverWild River (Androscoggin River)The Wild River is a river in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and Maine in the United States. It is a tributary of the Androscoggin River, which flows east and south to the Kennebec River near the Atlantic Ocean.-Route:...
, Gilead, MaineGilead, MaineGilead is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. Upon incorporation in 1804, it was named for the large quantity of Balm of Gilead trees in the town center. The population was 156 at the 2000 census.- History :... - Pleasant RiverPleasant River (Androscoggin River)Pleasant River is a river in Oxford County, Maine in the United States. It is a tributary of the Androscoggin River, which flows east and south to join the Kennebec River in Merrymeeting Bay near the Atlantic Ocean....
, Bethel, MaineBethel, MaineBethel is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,411 at the 2000 census. It includes the villages of West Bethel and South Bethel... - Alder RiverAlder RiverThe Alder River is a river in Maine. A tributary of the Androscoggin River, the Alder flows west from Locke Mills to Bethel.-References:**...
, Bethel, MaineBethel, MaineBethel is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,411 at the 2000 census. It includes the villages of West Bethel and South Bethel... - Sunday RiverSunday River (Androscoggin River)Sunday River is a river in Oxford County, Maine in the United States. It is a tributary of the Androscoggin River, which flows east and south to join the Kennebec River in Merrymeeting Bay near the Atlantic Ocean....
, Bethel, MaineBethel, MaineBethel is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,411 at the 2000 census. It includes the villages of West Bethel and South Bethel... - Bear River, Newry, MaineNewry, MaineNewry is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 344 at the 2000 census. Newry is the home of Sunday River Ski Resort and has a proportionately large seasonal population.-History:...
- Ellis RiverEllis River (Maine)The Ellis River is a river in Oxford County in western Maine. It is a tributary of the Androscoggin River.The river begins at the outlet of Ellis Pond in the northwest corner of Roxbury and flows southwest via a meandering course into Andover, passing the village of East Andover before turning...
, Rumford, Maine - Concord RiverConcord River (Maine)The Concord River is a tributary of the Androscoggin River in western Maine. The Androscoggin flows east and southeast to the Kennebec River near its mouth at the Atlantic Ocean....
, Rumford, Maine - Swift RiverSwift River (Maine)The Swift River is a river in western Maine. It is a tributary of the Androscoggin River, which flows to the Kennebec River near its mouth at the Atlantic Ocean....
, Rumford and Mexico, Maine - Webb RiverWebb RiverThe Webb River is a river in western Maine. It is a tributary of the Androscoggin River, which flows to the Kennebec River and ultimately the Atlantic Ocean....
, Dixfield, Maine - Dead River, Leeds, MaineLeeds, MaineLeeds is a town in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,001 at the 2000 census. It is included in both the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan New England City and Town Area.-Geography:According to the United...
- Nezinscot RiverNezinscot RiverThe Nezinscot River is a river in Maine. It runs east from the confluence of its East Branch and West Branch in Buckfield to its mouth on the Androscoggin River in Turner.-References:**...
, Turner, MaineTurner, MaineTurner is a town in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 4,972 at the 2000 census. Turner includes the villages of Turner Center and North Turner... - Little Androscoggin RiverLittle Androscoggin RiverThe Little Androscoggin River is a river in Maine. It flows from Bryant Pond in Woodstock to its confluence with the Androscoggin River in Auburn...
, Auburn, MaineAuburn, MaineAuburn is a city in and the county seat of Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 23,055 at the 2010 census. It is one of two principal cities of and included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan... - Sabattus RiverSabattus RiverThe Sabattus River is an tributary of the Androscoggin River in Maine. It rises at the outlet of Sabattus Pond in the town of Sabattus and flows south into the town of Lisbon, reaching the Androscoggin just southeast of Lisbon Center and about upstream of Lisbon Falls...
, Lisbon, MaineLisbon, MaineLisbon is a town in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 9,077 at the 2000 census. It is included in both the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan statistical area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan New England city and town area... - Little River, Lisbon Falls, MaineLisbon Falls, MaineLisbon Falls is a census-designated place in the town of Lisbon, located in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population of Lisbon Falls was 4,420 at the 2000 census...
External links
- MaineRivers.org Androscoggin River profile
- Real-time flow data for the Errol, NH, Gorham, NH, Rumford, ME, and Auburn, ME gages.
- USGS River Basin Info
- Androscoggin River Watershed Council