Ashuelot River
Encyclopedia
The Ashuelot River is a tributary of the Connecticut River
, approximately 64 miles (103 km) long, in southwestern New Hampshire
in the United States
. It drains a mountainous area of 425 square miles (1,101 km²), including much of the area known as the Monadnock Region
. It is the longest tributary of the Connecticut River within New Hampshire.
in Pillsbury State Park
, near Washington
in southwestern Sullivan County
. It flows southwest through Ashuelot Pond
into Cheshire County
, then south past Keene
and Swanzey
and along the east side of the Pisgah Mountains
. At Winchester
, approximately 3 miles (5 km) from the Massachusetts
state line, it turns west, flowing past the village of Ashuelot
and joining the Connecticut from the east at Hinsdale
, in the extreme southwest corner of New Hampshire.
The river is impounded to supply hydroelectricity
at Keene, Swanzey, Winchester, and Hinsdale. The river is part of the Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program of the U.S. government.
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
, approximately 64 miles (103 km) long, in southwestern 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 the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It drains a mountainous area of 425 square miles (1,101 km²), including much of the area known as the Monadnock Region
Monadnock Region
The Monadnock Region is a tourism region in southwestern New Hampshire. It is named after Mount Monadnock, the major geographic landmark in the region. The Monadnock Region is composed of all of Cheshire County and western Hillsborough County. The largest city in the region is Keene...
. It is the longest tributary of the Connecticut River within New Hampshire.
Course
The Ashuelot River rises out of Butterfield Pond south of Sunapee MountainMount Sunapee
Mount Sunapee is a -long mountain ridge in the towns of Newbury and Goshen in western New Hampshire. Its highest peak, at the north end of the mountain, is above sea level. The mountain has three secondary peaks, White Ledges at ; North Peak at ; and South Peak at...
in Pillsbury State Park
Pillsbury State Park
Pillsbury State Park is a state park located mainly in Washington and partially in Goshen, New Hampshire. It is home to the headwaters of the Ashuelot River.-External links:*...
, near Washington
Washington, New Hampshire
Washington is a town in Sullivan County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,123 at the 2010 census. Situated in a hilly, rocky, forested area, and with 26 lakes and ponds, Washington is a picturesque resort area...
in southwestern Sullivan County
Sullivan County, New Hampshire
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 40,458 people, 16,530 households, and 11,174 families residing in the county. The population density was 29/; . There were 20,158 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...
. It flows southwest through Ashuelot Pond
Ashuelot Pond
Ashuelot Pond is a water body located in Sullivan County in western New Hampshire, United States, in the town of Washington. It is situated along the upper reaches of the Ashuelot River, a tributary of the Connecticut River....
into Cheshire County
Cheshire County, New Hampshire
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 73,825 people, 28,299 households, and 18,790 families residing in the county. The population density was 104 people per square mile . There were 31,876 housing units at an average density of 45 per square mile...
, then south past Keene
Keene, New Hampshire
Keene is a city in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 23,409 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Cheshire County.Keene is home to Keene State College and Antioch University New England, and hosts the annual Pumpkin Fest...
and Swanzey
Swanzey, New Hampshire
Swanzey is a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 7,230 at the 2010 census. In addition to the town center, Swanzey includes the villages of East Swanzey, West Swanzey, North Swanzey, and Westport.-History:...
and along the east side of the Pisgah Mountains
Pisgah State Park
Pisgah State Park is a woodland located in Cheshire County in New Hampshire. It is the largest state park in New Hampshire and contains a complete watershed north of the Ashuelot River, seven ponds, four highland ridges, numerous wetlands, and a parcel of old-growth forest.-Geography:The park...
. At Winchester
Winchester, New Hampshire
Winchester is a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 4,341 at the 2010 census. The primary settlement in the town, where 1,733 people resided at the 2010 census, is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as the Winchester census-designated place...
, approximately 3 miles (5 km) from the Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
state line, it turns west, flowing past the village of Ashuelot
Ashuelot, New Hampshire
Ashuelot is an unincorporated village in the town of Winchester near the southwestern corner of New Hampshire. The village is named after the Ashuelot River, which flows through it....
and joining the Connecticut from the east at Hinsdale
Hinsdale, New Hampshire
Hinsdale is a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 4,046 at the 2010 census. Hinsdale is home to part of Pisgah State Park in the northeast, and part of Wantastiquet Mountain State Forest in the northwest....
, in the extreme southwest corner of New Hampshire.
The river is impounded to supply hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy...
at Keene, Swanzey, Winchester, and Hinsdale. The river is part of the Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program of the U.S. government.
Selected tributaries
From source to mouth:- Cherry Brook (headwaters of the Ashuelot)
- Grassy Brook
- Dart Brook
- Thompson Brook
- The BranchThe BranchThe Branch is a 2.6 mile long river located entirely in the city of Keene, in southwestern New Hampshire in the United States. It is a tributary of the Ashuelot River, itself a tributary of the Connecticut River, which flows to Long Island Sound....
/Beaver Brook - Ash Swamp Brook
- South Branch Ashuelot RiverSouth Branch Ashuelot RiverThe South Branch of the Ashuelot River is a 17.4 mile long river located in southwestern New Hampshire in the United States. It is a tributary of the Ashuelot River, itself a tributary of the Connecticut River, which flows to Long Island Sound....
- California Brook
- Wheelock Brook
- Mirey BrookMirey BrookMirey Brook is a 6.5 mile long stream located in southwestern New Hampshire in the United States. It is a tributary of the Ashuelot River, itself a tributary of the Connecticut River, which flows to Long Island Sound....
- Broad Brook