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Marshepaug River facts for kids

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Marshepaug River
LitchfieldCT MiltonCenterHD 2.jpg
Milton Historic District on the Marshepaug River
Other name(s) (Also called Ackerman Brook, Great Pond River, Marshapogge River, Mashepaug River, and other names)
Country United States
States Connecticut
Towns Goshen, Litchfield
Physical characteristics
Main source Woodbridge Lake
Goshen, Massachusetts
1,138 ft (347 m)
(41°47′53″N 73°15′13″W / 41.798102°N 73.253510°W / 41.798102; -73.253510)
River mouth East Branch of the Shepaug River
Litchfield, Connecticut
978 ft (298 m)
(41°46′01″N 73°16′39″W / 41.7670404°N 73.2776167°W / 41.7670404; -73.2776167)
Length 3 mi (4.8 km)
Width
  • Maximum width:
    30 feet (9.1 m)
Basin features
River system Housatonic
Basin size 7,291.86 acres (2,950.91 ha)
Gradient 52.66 fpm

The Marshepaug River is a small but important river. It flows through the towns of Goshen and Litchfield. These towns are located in northwest Connecticut in the United States. The river is about 3 miles (4.8 km) long.

The Marshepaug River starts near Woodbridge Lake. It then flows southwest through the Milton Center Historic District. Finally, it joins the East Branch of the Shepaug River. This river helps drain a large area. It covers more than 7,000 acres (2,800 hectares) of land. The river also has a steep slope, dropping over 52 feet for every mile it flows. This steepness is called its gradient.

The River's Past: How it Helped People

During the 1800s, the Marshepaug River was very important. Its flowing water provided power for many businesses. People used this waterpower to run sawmills. Sawmills cut logs into lumber. The river also powered gristmills, which ground grain into flour. There were even bloomery forges. These places used heat and waterpower to make iron. The river's energy helped these industries grow.

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