Mattapoisett River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mattapoisett River |
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The view of the river at US Route 6 in Mattapoisett.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts |
| Cities | Mattapoisett, Rochester |
| Physical characteristics | |
| River mouth | Snipatuit Pond |
The Mattapoisett River is a river about 11.6-mile-long (18.7 km) in southeastern Massachusetts, United States. It flows through the towns of Rochester and Mattapoisett.
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About the Mattapoisett River
The Mattapoisett River starts at Snipatuit Pond in Rochester. From there, it flows mostly south. It passes through the town of Mattapoisett. Finally, it empties into Mattapoisett Harbor, which is part of Buzzards Bay. Much of the river's path goes through wet, marshy areas called wetlands.
Fish and the River's History
For a long time, the Mattapoisett River was famous for its large numbers of herring. These fish, especially a type called alewives, would swim up the river from the ocean. In the early 1900s, hundreds of thousands of alewives were caught here each year. For example, in 1906, over 626,000 alewives were recorded.
People used the river for different things. They would flood cranberry bogs with its water. It also powered mills. There were special fish traps called "weirs" along the river. These weirs helped catch the herring as they swam upstream. There was an "Upper Herring Weir" in Rochester and a "Lower Herring Weir" near Mattapoisett Harbor.
Helping Fish Populations Recover
Over time, the number of fish in the river dropped a lot. By the late 1900s, there were almost no fish left. But starting in the 1980s, local groups began working to help the fish come back.
One main way they helped was by removing things that blocked the fish. They cleared out logs and other obstacles from the river. These blockages made it hard for the fish to swim upstream to lay their eggs.
The Mattapoisett River is one of the few rivers in Buzzards Bay with special electronic counters. These counters keep track of how many fish swim up the river. In 2000, the number of fish reached over 130,000. However, the numbers have gone down again since 2003.
Other Facts About the River
Some older people in the area call the Mattapoisett River "the Herring Run." There was even a sign on US Route 6 that used this unofficial name.
Since 1934, the river has been the site of a special event. It hosts the Annual Rochester to Mattapoisett Memorial Day Boat Race.
