Hoosic River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hoosic River |
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Hoosic River in North Adams, Massachusetts
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| Other name(s) | Hoos-ick |
| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts, Vermont, New York |
| Region | Hudson Valley |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Cheshire Reservoir Cheshire, Massachusetts 970 ft (300 m) 42°33′14″N 73°9′56″W / 42.55389°N 73.16556°W |
| River mouth | Hudson River Schaghticoke, New York 65 ft (20 m) 42°55′40″N 73°39′29″W / 42.92778°N 73.65806°W |
| Length | 76 mi (122 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 720 sq mi (1,900 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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The Hoosic River, also known as the Hoosac or Hoosick, is a river in the northeastern United States. It flows for about 76 miles (122 kilometers). This river is a branch of the larger Hudson River.
The different spellings of its name come from how people wrote down its original Algonquian name. It can mean "the beyond place" (like being east of the Hudson River). It might also mean "the stony place." This could be because the riverbed is often stony, especially when the water is low.
Where the Hoosic River Flows
The Hoosic River gets its water from streams in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts. It also gets water from the Green Mountains of Vermont and the Taconic Mountains.
The main part of the river starts on the west side of North Mountain. It quickly fills the Cheshire Reservoir, which is a lake made by people. From there, the river flows north, west, and then northwest.
Journey Through Towns and States
The Hoosic River travels through several towns in Massachusetts. These include Cheshire, Adams, and Williamstown. It also flows through the city of North Adams.
After Massachusetts, the river enters Pownal in the southwest corner of Vermont. Then, it crosses into Rensselaer County, New York.
In New York, the Hoosic River flows through the towns of Petersburgh and Hoosick. It passes over a dam in the village of Hoosick Falls. There are also other dams along the river in places like Johnsonville and Valley Falls.
The river forms the northwest border of the town of Pittstown. Finally, it flows through the town of Schaghticoke. It joins the Hudson River about 14 miles (23 kilometers) north of the city of Troy.
Tributaries
A tributary is a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger river. The Hoosic River has several tributaries that add to its water.
- North Branch Hoosic River
- Green River
- Little Hoosick River
- Walloomsac River
- Owl Kill
- Wampecack Creek
- Tomhannock
- Sunkouissa Creek
