Mill River (Connecticut) facts for kids

The Mill River is a cool river located in New Haven County, Connecticut. It flows through several towns before reaching the ocean.

Mill River, Hamden, Connecticut. Sleeping Giant Mountain in the background.

Map showing the Mill River and other rivers that flow into New Haven Harbor.

A Look Back: The River's History

Long ago, people built mills along the Mill River. These mills used the river's power to grind corn. The first one was built in 1642 near East Rock. By 1780, there were eight mills!

Later, the river even powered Eli Whitney's famous gun factory. Today, you can visit that spot at the Eli Whitney Museum. It's a great place to learn about how things used to be made.

Where the River Flows

The Mill River starts its journey in the town of Cheshire. From there, it flows through Hamden and then into New Haven. Finally, it empties into New Haven Harbor and then into Long Island Sound.

The river is about 17.4 miles long. In southern Hamden, a dam creates Lake Whitney. This lake is a reservoir, which means it stores water for people to drink. The South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority manages it.

The Mill River also flows through some beautiful parks. It passes through Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden. It also goes through East Rock Park in New Haven. These areas are great for fishing and hiking because they are still natural and undeveloped.

A special trail is being built that follows the river's path, especially in New Haven. This will make it even easier for people to explore and enjoy the river.

The River's Lower Section

Near State Street in New Haven, the lower part of the river has special "tide gates." These gates open and close to control the water flow. This makes the river's lower section a fresh tidal system.

Scientists are studying this part of the river. They want to understand how things like sediments (tiny bits of dirt) and metals move through the river. This research helps us keep the river healthy.

The Mill River tide gates near State Street, New Haven, at slack tide.

Protecting the Mill River

Many people care about keeping the Mill River clean and healthy. In 2018, a plan was created to protect and restore the river's watershed. A watershed is all the land that drains into a river.

This plan was a team effort between an organization called Save the Sound and the Connecticut DEEP.

There's also a group of volunteers called the Mill River Watershed Association. They work hard to take care of the river and its surrounding areas. Their efforts help make sure the Mill River stays a great place for nature and people.