List of rivers of Connecticut facts for kids
Connecticut is a state in the United States known for its many rivers. Most of these rivers flow into a large body of water called Long Island Sound. From there, their waters mix with the huge Atlantic Ocean. A few rivers in the very eastern part of Connecticut flow into Block Island Sound instead.
This article lists the main rivers in Connecticut. It's organized by where the rivers drain their water, starting from the east and moving west. Think of a river basin as a big bowl where all the rain and water eventually flow into one main river. Smaller rivers that flow into a bigger one are called "tributaries."
Contents
Rivers of Eastern Connecticut
Block Island Sound Rivers
The rivers in the far eastern part of Connecticut empty into Block Island Sound. This sound is a body of water between the coast of Rhode Island and Block Island.
- Pawcatuck River: This is the main river basin in eastern Connecticut.
- Shunock River
- Green Fall River
- Wood River
Long Island Sound Rivers
Most of Connecticut's rivers flow into Long Island Sound. This is a long, narrow body of saltwater that separates Connecticut from Long Island, New York.
- Mystic River
- Poquonock River
- Thames River: A major river in eastern Connecticut.
- Shetucket River
- Quinebaug River: An important tributary of the Shetucket.
- Natchaug River
- Shetucket River
* Skungamaug River
- Niantic River
- Pattagansett River
- Fourmile River
- Black Hall River
Central Connecticut Rivers
The Mighty Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the longest river in New England. It flows through four states, including Connecticut, before emptying into Long Island Sound. Many smaller rivers join it along its path.
- Back River
- Lieutenant River
- Falls River
- Eightmile River
- Deep River
- Salmon River
- Moodus River
- Blackledge River
- Jeremy River
- Mattabesset River
- Hockanum River
- Tankerhoosen River
- Park River: Also known as Hog River or Little River.
- North Branch Park River
- South Branch Park River
- Podunk River
- Farmington River: A large and important tributary of the Connecticut River.
- Pequabu River
- Nepaug River
- East Branch Farmington River
- West Branch Farmington River
- Still River
- Mad River
- Still River
- Scantic River
Western Connecticut Rivers
Rivers Near New Haven
Several rivers flow into Long Island Sound near the city of New Haven.
- Patchogue River
- Menunketesuck River
- Indian River (Clinton)
- Hammonasset River
- Neck River
- East River
- West River (Guilford)
- Branford River
- Farm River
- Quinnipiac River: A major river flowing through central Connecticut to New Haven.
- Muddy River
- Tenmile River
- Mill River
- West River
- Cove River
- Oyster River
- Indian River (Milford)
- Wepawaug River
Housatonic River and Beyond
The Housatonic River is another major river in Connecticut, flowing from Massachusetts through western Connecticut.
- Housatonic River
- Farmill River
- Naugatuck River
- Halfway River
- Pomperaug River
- Nonnewaug River
- Weekeepeemee River
- Pootatuck River
- Shepaug River
- Still River
- West Aspetuck River
- Rocky River
- Ten Mile River
- Blackberry River
- Konkapot River
- Pequonnock River
- Ash Creek
- Mill River
- Saugatuck River
- Norwalk River
- Silvermine River
- Fivemile River
- Noroton River
- Rippowam River: Also known as Mill River in Stamford.
- Mianus River
- Byram River: This is the westernmost river basin in Connecticut.
Rivers Flowing to New York
A small part of western Connecticut has rivers that flow into the Hudson River system in New York, which then leads to New York Harbor.
- Titicus River: This river flows into the Croton River in New York, which then joins the Hudson River.
See also
