Kisco River facts for kids
The Kisco River is a small waterway, often called a creek, that flows through the area of Mount Kisco, New York. It begins when two smaller streams, Chappaqua Brook and another unnamed stream, join together. The river then winds its way for about 3.3 miles (5.3 km).
The Kisco River eventually flows into the New Croton Reservoir. From there, its waters travel through the Croton River and the Hudson River before finally reaching New York Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean.
The river gets its name from the village of Mount Kisco, which it flows through. The name "Mount Kisco" comes from an old word, "seesquee" or "cisqua." This word is from the Algonquian languages and means "muddy place." It describes the marshy, wet areas that were once common around the river.
Where the Kisco River Flows
The Kisco River starts in the higher lands of the Arthur W. Butler Memorial Sanctuary. It then flows west through New Castle, New York. The river soon reaches Wallace Pond, located in Leonard Park in Mount Kisco.
Journey Through Mount Kisco
After Wallace Pond, the Kisco River follows a path known as the "Early Settler's Trail." It passes by where the Spencer Optical Factory used to be, which is now a nature trail. The river then goes under New York Route 133.
It continues its journey through a housing area called "Riverwoods." The river also flows past the Bedford Yeshiva Farm Settlement, which is a small religious school. A water treatment plant from the Riverwoods complex releases its cleaned water into the river here.
Reaching the Reservoir
Finally, the Kisco River flows under Croton Lake Road. It then empties into the Muscoot Reservoir. At this point, the river is at its widest, stretching about 1,100 feet (335 meters) across.
Along its path, several storm drains release water into the river. The Kisco River mostly flows through areas that are developed but still have important wetlands.
