French River (Massachusetts) facts for kids
_map.jpg)
The French River is a cool river that flows through two states in the USA: south-central Massachusetts and northeastern Connecticut. It's an important part of the local environment and history.
Contents
Discover the French River
The French River starts its journey near a town called Leicester, Massachusetts. From there, it flows mostly south, passing through several towns. These towns include Auburn and Oxford. It also runs along the border between Webster and Dudley.
Where Does the French River Flow?
After its path through Massachusetts, the French River crosses into Connecticut. It then joins up with another river called the Quinebaug River in a town called Thompson. This spot is just a bit northeast of Putnam. The Quinebaug River then flows into the Shetucket River. Finally, the Shetucket River empties into the big Thames River, which eventually reaches the Long Island Sound. So, the French River is part of a larger network of waterways!
How Big is the French River?
The French River is about 25.3 miles (around 40.7 kilometers) long in total. Most of it, about 18.8 miles (around 30.2 kilometers), is in Massachusetts. The river collects water from a large area called a watershed. This watershed covers about 95 square miles (around 246 square kilometers).
Inside this watershed, there are 67 different lakes and ponds! Many of these are quite small, but 38 of them are larger than 10 acres (about 4 hectares). There's only one really big lake in the area that feeds into the French River: Lake Chaubunagungamaug. This lake, also known as Webster Lake, is in Webster, Massachusetts. It's huge, covering about 1,195 acres (around 484 hectares)!
Why is it Called the French River?
The French River got its name because of a group of French Protestants who settled in the area. These settlers, often called Huguenots, made their home in the town of Oxford. Their presence in the region led to the river being named the French River, honoring their early settlement there.
