The Connecticut River is by far the longest river in the area of New England near the Canadian border, extending roughly southerly across four states for 406 mi (653 km). It is also one of the longest American Rivers. It rises from the Connecticut Lakes, which is located in the northern part of New Hampshire.The river derives its name from the Pequot word ‘quinetucket’, which means a long tidal river. The Connecticut River’s development began more than 10,000 years ago according to its natural history. The river was used by the original occupants of the Connecticut River Valley not just for navigation and the extension of commerce routes, but also for the lush hunting and farming fields. The Dutch were the first Europeans to arrive in what is now Connecticut in 1614. With the foundation of English colonies in Massachusetts, developing economic interactions between indigenous people and new newcomers grew increasingly challenging.Dams have been an integral part of New England settlements since their inception to provide water for cultivation, power production, industrial activities, and consumption.The upper portion of the Connecticut River runs mostly in a narrow valley in New Hampshire and Vermont. The river traverses the Eastern border fault south of Hartford, Connecticut, and flows through the Eastern Crystalline Highlands, which helps to control the river and enables only shallow tidal marshes. The river travels over a vast coastal plain around its mouth, generating huge salt marshes.The Connecticut River contributed to the improvement of the surrounding ecology by gradually reintroducing schools of herring and shad to the river and, in 1989 the nesting of bald eagles for the first time in a very long time. The Connecticut River is one of the few large rivers in the United States without a major city near its mouth, owing to the enormous silt loads carried by the river, which impede ship passage. It is a major river that has gained a spot in the list of rivers that have historical, economic, agricultural, and recreational qualities.If you like what you read, do check out River Thames and rivers in Colorado.Falls, Dams, And FlowsThe Connecticut River and its tributaries are home to numerous significant dams, which constitute a major source of hydrologic modification in the Connecticut Basin. In terms of hydroelectric generation, the Connecticut River is one of the most developed rivers in the United States. It drains into the Long Island Sound after covering a distance of 407 mi (653 km).There are many falls along the Connecticut River. Great Falls is a waterfall on the Connecticut River that runs between Walpole, New Hampshire, and Bellows Falls, Vermont. Bellows Falls is another name for it.Sumner Falls or the Hartland Rapids is another fall on the river that forms a network of ledges that stretches over a vast swath of the Connecticut River.Enfield Falls or the Enfield Rapids is one of the major attractions along the Connecticut River. There is a swimming pool hole beneath the waterfall. The depth of the swimming hole fluctuates from around 2-20 ft (0.6-6 m). There are also small stairs where you may sit if you don’t want to swim.South Hadley Falls is another fall that secures a spot in the list of beautiful waterfalls on the river. The natural portion of South Hadley Falls was a minor set of rapids that has now been partially destroyed by the Holyoke Dam.The Connecticut River watershed includes 148 tributaries, 38 main rivers, and countless lakes and ponds. The major tributaries of the river include rivers like Farmington, Deerfield, Passumpsic, and Ammonoosuc.Conserving Clean WaterThe Connecticut River Watershed in western New Hampshire is home to many of the state’s most critical animal habitats and water resources. It is one of the major rivers of the state. The Connecticut River watershed in New Hampshire not only provides clean water and habitat for important species such as native brook trout, and moose, but also critical services to downstream settlements. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has made a significant contribution towards making the river inhabitable for the Atlantic salmon.Efforts have been made by both state and federal agencies as well as non-profit organizations to conserve the water of this great river. Trees have been planted, regular cleaning of trash from the river is done and the water of the river is tested every year. This has enabled the river to provide people with safe drinking water, swimming, and a lot more.Fracking, Oil And Gas DevelopmentHydraulic fracturing, often known as fracking, is a process of extracting oil and natural gas.As far as the Connecticut River is concerned there has been no fracking. As of May 2017, the state has not discovered any oil or gas reserves.Pollution And CleanupThe river has high importance. Yet, sections of it, its tributaries, and adjacent lakes and ponds continue to have poor water quality. Water contamination occurs everywhere in the region as a result of a variety of causes, including combined sewer overflows and immediate municipal or industrial discharges, as well as stormwater runoff from agricultural and urban regions.Excessive amounts of pathogens, such as E. coli, and fertilizers lead to cyanobacteria blooms, quickly increasing populations of invasive plants, and low levels of oxygen concentration in water as a result of such contamination. Furthermore, the Connecticut River and many of its tributaries are impacted by a plethora of man-made dams, which generally have an influence on the natural flow pattern, fish movement, and water temperature.There are many organizations that are working shoulder to shoulder with the government to protect the River. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services had contributed majorly to cleaning up the river.Connecticut River Studies And ResearchThere have been several studies and researches on the Connecticut River. Some of them include studies on its flow restoration. The Connecticut River Flow Restoration Study sought to assess the feasibility of making operational adjustments at big dams throughout the watershed in order to improve ecological health and function while preserving the vital services supplied by the dams.Data was gathered from various places along the watershed, which originates in Canada and empties into Long Island Sound. A ‘master variable’ in water systems is dissolved organic matter, a complex mix of molecules that leeches into streams and gives waterways their color. Dissolved Organic Matter controls the escape of carbon dioxide from the water and can affect the quantity of light that enters the water, in addition to adding nutrients and contaminants. This, in turn, can have an impact on phytoplankton levels, which are an important food source for many creatures.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Connecticut River facts then why not take a look at rivers in Mississippi or Puerto Princesa underground river facts?
The Connecticut River is by far the longest river in the area of New England near the Canadian border, extending roughly southerly across four states for 406 mi (653 km).
