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East Aspetuck River facts for kids

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East Aspetuck River
LakeWaureganWithMountBushnell.jpg
Lake Waramaug looking toward Mount Bushnell and the headwaters of the East Aspetuck River
Country United States
States Connecticut
Towns Washington, New Milford
Physical characteristics
Main source Lake Waramaug
Washington, Massachusetts
692 ft (211 m)
(41°40′58″N 73°21′13″W / 41.6828731°N 73.3537304°W / 41.6828731; -73.3537304)
River mouth West Branch Aspetuck River
New Milford, Connecticut
203 ft (62 m)
(41°35′16″N 73°25′24″W / 41.5878724°N 73.4234548°W / 41.5878724; -73.4234548)
Length 9.9 mi (15.9 km)
Width
  • Maximum width:
    30 feet (9.1 m)
Basin features
River system Housatonic
Basin size 16,169.24 acres (6,543.46 ha)
Gradient 50.80 fpm

The East Aspetuck River is a beautiful and important river in Litchfield County, Connecticut, in the United States. It flows for about 9.9-mile-long (15.9 km), which is almost 10 miles. This river starts its journey from a lovely lake called Lake Waramaug in the town of Washington.

As it flows, the East Aspetuck River travels southwest. It passes through small villages like New Preston and Northville. Finally, it meets up with another river, the West Aspetuck River, in New Milford. Just a short distance after they join, both rivers flow into the larger Housatonic River.

About the East Aspetuck River

The East Aspetuck River is a natural waterway that plays a big role in the local environment. Rivers like this are important for many reasons. They provide homes for animals and plants. They also help carry water from higher places to lower places, eventually reaching larger bodies of water.

Where Does It Flow?

The river's journey begins at Lake Waramaug. This lake is its "source," which means where it starts. From there, the river flows downhill, moving towards the southwest. It goes through different areas, including the towns of Washington and New Milford.

The river's path takes it through peaceful countryside. It passes by forests and open spaces. This journey helps create a diverse habitat for wildlife. The river eventually joins the West Aspetuck River. Together, they flow into the Housatonic River, which is a much larger river in Connecticut.

A Special Place for Fish

The East Aspetuck River is known for something very special: it's a "wild trout management area." This means the river is a protected place where wild trout can live and thrive. Wild trout are fish that are born and grow up naturally in the river, rather than being raised in a hatchery and then released.

Because it's a wild trout management area, there are special rules for fishing here. These rules help protect the trout and keep their population healthy. For example, anglers (people who fish) might need to use certain types of lures or release the fish they catch. This ensures that the river remains a great home for these fish for many years to come.

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