Fort River facts for kids
The Fort River is a cool river in Western Massachusetts. It flows into the big Connecticut River. This river runs through towns like Amherst, Massachusetts and ends in Hadley, Massachusetts.
Quick facts for kids Fort River |
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Fort River in Amherst, Massachusetts
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 Location of the mouth of the Fort River within Massachusetts
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| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts |
| County | Hampshire |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Fort River at Adams Brook (location where Amythest Brook flows into Adams Brook) Pelham, Massachusetts |
| River mouth | Hadley, Massachusetts 42°19′34″N 72°35′03″W / 42.3261°N 72.5843°W |
About the Fort River
The Fort River is special because it is a "free-flowing" river. This means it does not have any dams or man-made changes that stop its natural flow. It is the longest free-flowing river that flows into the Connecticut River.
Where Does the Fort River Begin?
The Fort River actually starts as a smaller stream called Adams Brook. This brook begins near a pond close to Atkin's Reservoir in Shutesbury, Massachusetts. The ponds themselves are not part of the reservoir.
Adams Brook flows southwest. It becomes the Fort River when another stream, Amythest Brook, flows into it. This meeting point is in Pelham, Massachusetts. The Fort River then continues its journey, ending in Hadley, Massachusetts.
Amazing Wildlife in the Fort River
Because the Fort River is free-flowing, it has a huge variety of wildlife. It is one of the three most diverse rivers in Massachusetts! This means many different kinds of animals and plants live there.
Some of the cool creatures you might find in the Fort River include:
- Mussels - These are shellfish that live in the riverbed.
- Eastern Pearlfish - A small, interesting fish.
- Sea Lampreys - These are ancient, jawless fish.
- American Eels - These eels can travel long distances between fresh and saltwater.
Even though the Fort River itself has no dams, some of the smaller streams that flow into it do have reservoirs. These reservoirs are like big lakes that store water.
