The Israel River is a river in 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...

 of 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...

. It arises in the township of Low and Burbank's Grant

Low and Burbank's Grant, New Hampshire

Low and Burbank's Grant is a township located in Coos County, New Hampshire, United States. As of the 2010 census, the grant had a population of 0....

 and runs 24 miles (38 km) generally northwest along U.S. Highway 2, traversing the towns of Jefferson

Jefferson, New Hampshire

Jefferson is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,107 at the 2010 census. It is home to parts of the White Mountain National Forest in the south and northeast and to two theme parks: Santa's Village and...

 and Lancaster

Lancaster, New Hampshire

Lancaster is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, USA, on the Connecticut River named after Lancaster, England. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 3,507, the second largest in the county after Berlin. It is the county seat of Coos County and gateway to the Great North Woods Region...

, before joining the Connecticut River

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...

. It is named for an early hunter, trapper and surveyor of the area, Israel Glines. The Johns River, in the nearby town of Whitefield

Whitefield, New Hampshire

Whitefield is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, USA, in the White Mountains Region. The population was 2,306 at the 2010 census. Situated on the northern edge of the White Mountains, Whitefield is home to the Mount Washington Regional Airport and the White Mountains Regional High...

, is named for Israel's brother John.

The Israel River rises near the foot of Mount Adams

Mount Adams (New Hampshire)

Mount Adams, elevation above sea level, is a mountain in New Hampshire, the second highest peak in the Northeast United States after its nearby neighbor, Mt. Washington. Located in the northern Presidential Range, Mount Adams was named after John Adams, the second president of the United States....

, at the juncture of Castle Brook and Cascade Brook. With its numerous tributaries, the river drains the northwestern slopes of Mount Adams and Mt. Jefferson

Mount Jefferson (New Hampshire)

Mount Jefferson is located in Coos County, New Hampshire, and is the third highest mountain in the state. The mountain is named after Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, and is part of the Presidential Range of the White Mountains...

 in the Presidential Range

Presidential Range

The Presidential Range is a mountain range located in the White Mountains of the U.S. state of New Hampshire. Containing the highest peaks of the Whites, its most notable summits are named for American Presidents, followed by prominent public figures of the 18th and 19th centuries.Mt...

, the northern slopes of the Dartmouth Range

Dartmouth Range

The Dartmouth Range is a mountain range in the White Mountains of New Hampshire in the United States. The range lies in the township of Low and Burbank's Grant and the town of Carroll in Coos County....

, and the southern slopes of the Pliny Range. The larger tributaries include the South Branch

South Branch Israel River

The South Branch of the Israel River is a river in the White Mountains of New Hampshire in the United States. It is a tributary of the Israel River and part of the Connecticut River watershed. For most of its length, it is within the White Mountain National Forest.The South Branch rises on the...

, The Mystic, Castle Brook, Cascade Brook, Stag Hollow Brook, Stanley Brook, Priscilla Brook, Alder Brook (also called Crawford Brook), Red Brook, Mill Brook, Garland Brook (which still turns a working saw mill) and Otter Brook.

Major highway bridges over the river include New Hampshire Route 115

New Hampshire Route 115

New Hampshire Route 115 is a long north–south state highway in Coos County in northern New Hampshire. The southern terminus of NH 115 is at U.S. Route 3 in Carroll north of Twin Mountain. The northern terminus is at the intersection with U.S. Route 2 in Jefferson...

, U.S. Highway 2 and New Hampshire Route 115A

New Hampshire Route 115A

New Hampshire Route 115A is a long north–south state highway in Coos County, New Hampshire. The southern terminus of the road is at New Hampshire Route 115 south of Jefferson at Old Cherry Mountain Road. The northern terminus of NH 115A is at U.S...

 in Jefferson, and U.S. Highway 3 on Main Street in Lancaster. A number of smaller bridges are provided for snowmobile

Snowmobile

A snowmobile, also known in some places as a snowmachine, or sled,is a land vehicle for winter travel on snow. Designed to be operated on snow and ice, they require no road or trail. Design variations enable some machines to operate in deep snow or forests; most are used on open terrain, including...

 trails, and there is an old covered bridge

Covered bridge

A covered bridge is a bridge with enclosed sides and a roof, often accommodating only a single lane of traffic. Most covered bridges are wooden; some newer ones are concrete or metal with glass sides...

on Mechanic Street in Lancaster (closed in 2004 for major repairs and since reopened).