Saxtons River
Encyclopedia
The Saxtons River is a 22.9 miles (36.9 km) river in the U.S.
state of Vermont
, a tributary
of the Connecticut River
. Its watershed covers 78 square miles (202 km²) and a range in altitude of 1800 feet (548.6 m); land use is about 80% forested and 3% agricultural, and the upper river supports wild brook trout and brown trout, while Atlantic salmon occur but are usually limited to the area below Twin Falls, which is near Gage St. in Westminster .
The Saxtons River rises to the east of Glebe Mountain, in the town of Windham
. It continues on through the towns of Grafton
and Rockingham
, passing through the Rockingham village of Saxtons River
(named for the river). It then continues into the town of Westminster before joining the Connecticut River
at Westminster, just south of the Rockingham town line.
Its tributaries include Hinkley Brook and South Branch Saxtons River, flowing in from the south in Grafton
; Bull Creek from the south and Weaver Brook from the north, near Cambridgeport; several apparently unnamed branches that join the river in the village of Saxtons River
, the largest of which drains the slopes of Hartley Hill; and Bundy Brook, which joins the river near where Vermont Route 121 is crossed by Interstate 91
. Its watershed lies south of the Williams River
watershed and north of the West River
watershed.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
state of Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, a tributary
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of 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...
. Its watershed covers 78 square miles (202 km²) and a range in altitude of 1800 feet (548.6 m); land use is about 80% forested and 3% agricultural, and the upper river supports wild brook trout and brown trout, while Atlantic salmon occur but are usually limited to the area below Twin Falls, which is near Gage St. in Westminster .
The Saxtons River rises to the east of Glebe Mountain, in the town of Windham
Windham, Vermont
Windham is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 328 at the 2000 census. The town center village is designated as the Windham Village Historic District.-Geography:...
. It continues on through the towns of Grafton
Grafton, Vermont
Grafton is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 649 at the 2000 census.-History:The town was founded as Thomlinson, but renaming rights were auctioned in 1791. The high bidder, who reportedly offered "five dollars and a jug of rum," changed the name to Grafton after...
and Rockingham
Rockingham, Vermont
Rockingham is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States, along the Connecticut River. The population was 5,309 at the 2000 census. Rockingham includes the incorporated villages of Bellows Falls and Saxtons River, as well as a large rural area west of Interstate 91.Rockingham has no formal...
, passing through the Rockingham village of Saxtons River
Saxtons River, Vermont
Saxtons River is an incorporated village in the town of Rockingham in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 519 at the 2000 census. For over a hundred years, Saxtons River has been the home of Vermont Academy, an independent secondary school.The Saxtons River Village Historic...
(named for the river). It then continues into the town of Westminster 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...
at Westminster, just south of the Rockingham town line.
Its tributaries include Hinkley Brook and South Branch Saxtons River, flowing in from the south in Grafton
Grafton, Vermont
Grafton is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 649 at the 2000 census.-History:The town was founded as Thomlinson, but renaming rights were auctioned in 1791. The high bidder, who reportedly offered "five dollars and a jug of rum," changed the name to Grafton after...
; Bull Creek from the south and Weaver Brook from the north, near Cambridgeport; several apparently unnamed branches that join the river in the village of Saxtons River
Saxtons River, Vermont
Saxtons River is an incorporated village in the town of Rockingham in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 519 at the 2000 census. For over a hundred years, Saxtons River has been the home of Vermont Academy, an independent secondary school.The Saxtons River Village Historic...
, the largest of which drains the slopes of Hartley Hill; and Bundy Brook, which joins the river near where Vermont Route 121 is crossed by Interstate 91
Interstate 91
Interstate 91 is an Interstate Highway in the New England region of the United States. It provides the primary north–south thoroughfare in the western part of New England...
. Its watershed lies south of the Williams River
Williams River (Vermont)
The Williams River is a river in the U.S. state of Vermont. It is a tributary of the Connecticut River. Its watershed covers 117 square miles; land use is about 80% forested and 4% agricultural, and the upper river supports wild brook trout and brown trout ....
watershed and north of the West River
West River (Vermont)
The West River is a tributary of the Connecticut River, about long, in southern Vermont in the United States. According to the Geographic Names Information System, it has also been known historically as "Wantastiquet" and as "Waters of the Lonely Way"...
watershed.