Designated: March 30, 2009

Location: The main stem of the Taunton River from its headwaters at the confluence of the Town and Matfield Rivers in the Town of Bridgewater downstream 40 miles (64 km) to the confluence with the Quequechan River at the Route 195 Bridge in the City of Fall River.

Outstanding Resources: Ecology and Biological Diversity, Fish, History and Archaeology, Scenery and Recreation, Hydrology.

Management Approach: A partnership between the Taunton River Stewardship Council and the National Park Service.

Overview: Perhaps the most diverse and intact coastal riverene ecosystem in all of southern New England. The Taunton River is the only major coastal river in the region that is without a dam or obstruction over its entire length. It is the largest freshwater contributor to the Narragansett Bay estuary in Rhode Island. The river travels through ten communities and over 40 miles to Mount Hope Bay. It is tidal for 18 miles from the bay, with saltwater intrusion ending at about the Dighton-Taunton line, 12 miles from the mouth. The landscape of the Taunton River watershed is the result of glacial deposition as shown in flat outwash plains, numerous wetlands and kettle ponds. Large stretches of pasture, woodland and meadow help to preserve rich historical and archaeological resources along the river. The river is directly tied to early contact between English settlers and Native People and with its major tributaries, shows many examples of early colonial industrial innovation including millworks and transportation.

Contact Information: Jamie Fosburgh 15 State Street Boston, MA 02109-3572 617-223-5191 jamie_fosburgh@nps.gov	Related Links: Taunton River Stewardship Council http://www.tauntonriver.org/ Taunton River Stewardship Plan http://www.tauntonriver.org/stewarshipplan.htm