Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Programs title bar with the National Park Service arrowhead Parknet and arrowhead

Massachusetts Segments

Jamie Fosburgh
National Park Service
Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance
15 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 223-5191

River in Massachusettes
River
County
Reach
Length (miles)
Year Listed/ Updated
Potential Classification
ORVs
Description
Other States
Ashley Hill/Bashbish Brook Berkshire Confluence with Lee Pond to headwaters.
6
1982
  S, G Geologic-(Segment includes a 200' gorge and waterfalls unique in this section.)

Scenic-(Diverse juxtaposition and combination of geologic, water and natural vegetative elements in a remote setting.)

 
Bog Brook Berkshire Confluence with the Cold River to the headwaters.
3
1982
  O See Cold River comments.  
Charles River Middlesex, Norfolk Glenwood Cemetery to Rockville.
13
1982
  R, O Recreation-(Proximity to high concentrations of urban populations in the Boston metropolitan area.)

Archeologic-(Segment includes significant prehistoric sites which indicate the region has had human occupation for 11,000 years.)

 
Cold River Berkshire Confluence with the Deerfield River to headwaters.
12
1982
  O Wild-(An excellent example of an undeveloped free flowing, low order river system which is one of the few remaining examples of this type south of Vermont.)  
Concord   From the confluence of the Sudbury and Assabet downstream to the Route 3 bridge in the town of Billerica.
0
1982/ 1995
Update 1995
  This river is under Congressional study for designation to the Wild and Scenic River System. It is currently under the full protection of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act pursuant to Section 7 (b) of the Act.  
Concord River Middlesex Route 3 bridge to Concord.
6
1982
  R Recreation-(Proximity to urban populations of the Boston metropolitan area.)  
Connecticut River Franklin Turners Falls to Schnell Bridge.
9
1982
  O Hydrologic-(An undeveloped, high order river segment.)  
Deerfield River Franklin Stillwater Bridge to Schneck Brook.
5
1982
  F, O Fish-(A regionally significant trout stream and an historic Atlantic Salmon Fishery.)  
Deerfield River Franklin South of Charlemont to confluence with Fife Brook.
11
1982
  F, H Fish-(River is an historic Atlantic Salmon fishery.)

History-(Segment parallels the Mohawk Trail, the principal route for expeditions against English settlements during French and Indian Wars.)

 
Farmington River, West Branch Berkshire Confluence with Thorp Brook (above Colebrook Reservoir) to Hayden Pond.
11
1982
  R, G, F Recreation-(A unique diversity of flow gradients including 3 miles of Class IV rapids, flatwater-quickwater segments and easy rapids.)

Fish-(River is currently being restored as an Atlantic Salmon fishery.)

Geologic-(River related land forms and topography unique to the New England Upland section.)

 
Gulf Brook Berkshire Confluence with the Cold River to the headwaters.
4
1982
  O See Cold River comments.  
Housatonic River Berkshire Connecticut border to below Great Barrington.
14
1982
  G, F Fish-(River is an historic Atlantic Salmon fishery.)

Geologic-(Course of the river follows a line of Stockbridge marble limestone cliffs referred to as Bartholemews Cobble, a National Natural Landmark.)

 
Ipswich River Essex, Middlesex Palmer State Park to Peabody.
14
1982
  H Historic-(Segment includes the Choate Bridge, a National Historic Register site and the oldest stone bridge in the State.)  
Konkapot River Berkshire New Marborough to Breuer Lake.
8
1982
  F Fish-(Segment is part of regionally significant trout stream.)  
Mashpee River Barnstable Confluence with Popponesset Bay to Mashpee.
4
1982
  F, O Fish-(Segment includes a significant fishery for sea run trout, also referred to as "salters".)

Hydrologic-(Segment is the southernmost least developed free-flowing river in the section.)

 
Millers River Franklin, Worcester East of Athol to Birch Hill Dam.
6
1982
  C Cultural-(Segment is a significant example of a river representative of the major periods of New England's history.)  
Millers River Worcester Above Whitney Pond to headwaters.
5
1982
  H Cultural-(Segment is a significant example of a river representative of the major periods of New England's history.)  
Moose River Franklin, Somerset Attean Pond to Canada.
0
1982
  R, G, O    
Moose River Franklin and Somerset From Attean Pond to Canada
0
1982/ 1995
1995
R, G, O Botanic-Regionally unique predominance of extensive wetlands. Geologic-Regionally unique Holeb Falls. Wild-Within an extremely undeveloped watershed and corridor, the topography of which makes the area inaccessible. Recreation-Segment includes a regionally significant recreation area, identified as the Bow Trip, which provides a 24-mile circuit canoe and camping trip.  
Nashua River Worcester Below Pepperell to the Ayer State Game Farm.
6
1982
  F Fish-(River is an historic Atlantic Salmon fishery.)  
Nashua River Hillsborough, Worcester Above Hollis Depot to East Pepperell.
5
1982
  G Geologic-(River exhibits unique phenomenon of reversed mainstream flow due to geological uplift and glacial activity.) NH
North River Plymouth Upstream from Cushing Memorial Park to east of Hanover.
9
1982
  G, F, H, O Botanic-(Stream includes a significant and diverse wetland system, which is a National Natural Landmark and part of the largest saltmarsh in Massachusetts.)

Fish-(Stream supports a unique diversity of fish-over 45 species- including the significant anadromous herring.)

Geologic-(Segment includes a unique phenomenon of drumlins and other glacial depositional features located in a saltmarsh.)

Historic-(Corridor follows the Wampanoag Canoe Passage, formerly the primary route of Indians traveling from the coast to inland regions of New England.)

 
Pamet River Barnstable Pamet harbor to the ocean dunes.
4
1982
  O Hydrologic-(Segment is an example of a river formed from flooded outwash plains. The geological term "pamet" has its origin with the river.)  
Parker River Essex Confluence with Plum Island Sound to I-95 bridge.
8
1982
  R, W, O Wildlife-(Segment includes a National Wildlife Refuge, which is one of the most famous ornithological areas in the U.S. An exceptionally high number and diversity of waterfowl, shorebirds, rare and uncommon species are frequently observed.

Botanic-(Corridor includes extensive tidal marsh and the Plum Island dune ecosystem which has a unique diversity of plant species.)

Recreation-(Unique natural inland waterway connects Atlantic coast and the culturally significant Merrimack River, creating opportunities for a water trail system.)

 
Plum Island River   Confluence with Plum Island Sound to above Little Pine Creek.
2
1982
  R, W, O See Parker River comments.  
Scantic River Hampden Hampden to headwaters.
5
1982
  W Wildlife-(Segment includes Laughing Brook Wildlife Area, a Potential National Natural Landmark.) CT
Shaker Mill Brook Berkshire Becket to headwaters
4
1982
  R, F, O See Westfield River, West Branch comments.  
South River Franklin Confluence with Deerfield River to Conway.
4
1982
  W See Deerfield River comments.  
Sudbury River Middlesex Below Sudbury Road Bridge to Route 20 Bridge.
8
1982
  R, F Fish-(River is an historic Atlantic Salmon fishery.)  
Westfield River Berkshire, Hampshire Holly Brook to the headwaters of Center Brook.
25
1982
  S, R, G Hydrologic-(One of the few remaining sparsely developed free-flowing low order rivers in the section.)

Recreation-(One of the longest whitewater runs in the southern New England area.)

Scenic-(A wide variety and diversity of views related to the juxtaposition of landforms, land use and vegetation.)

Geologic-(River related land forms and topography are unique to section.)

 
Westfield River, Middle Branch Hampshire, Berkshire Dayville to Peru Wildlife Management Area.
11
1982
  F Fish-(Rivers is an historic Atlantic Salmon fishery.)  
Westfield River, West Branch Berkshire, Hampshire Chester to Becket.
7
1982
  R, F, O Fish-(River is an historic Atlantic Salmon fishery.)

Hydrologic-(Segment is one of the last major relatively undeveloped free-flowing rivers in the southeastern portion of this section.)

Recreation-(Segment includes a diversity of challenging whitewater, including significant rapids of Class IV gradient.)