Mount Hope River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Hope River |
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 Location of the mouth within Connecticut
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| Country | United States |
| State | Connecticut |
| Counties | Tolland, Windham |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Morey Pond Ashford, Windham County, Connecticut, United States 980 ft (300 m)approx. 41°57′29″N 72°11′28″W / 41.95799°N 72.19103°W |
| River mouth | Mansfield Hollow Lake Mansfield, Tolland County, Connecticut, United States 256 ft (78 m) 41°46′35″N 72°10′35″W / 41.77627°N 72.17627°W |
| Length | 15 mi (24 km)approx. |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 28 sq mi (73 km2)approx. |
The Mount Hope River is a beautiful river located in the northeastern part of Connecticut, a state in the United States. It starts at Morey Pond, which is in the northern part of Ashford, Connecticut, right near the border of Union, Connecticut. From there, the river flows south for about 15 miles (24 km) until it reaches Mansfield Hollow Lake, which is just south of Mansfield, Connecticut.
Contents
Where Does the Mount Hope River Flow?
The Mount Hope River begins its journey at a dam that lets water out of Morey Pond. This spot is right on the border between Ashford and Union, close to Interstate 84.
Journey Through Towns
As the river flows south, it goes through Ashford. It often runs alongside Route 89, even passing under it several times. The river travels through small communities like Westford and Warrenville.
After leaving Warrenville, the Mount Hope River continues south and enters Mansfield. It still follows Route 89 through the eastern part of Mansfield. Finally, it reaches its end at Mansfield Hollow Lake, just after going under Atwoodville Road.
Paddling Adventures on the River
If you enjoy paddling, parts of the Mount Hope River are great for it! A popular route starts near Route 89. For about 1 mile (1.6 km), the water moves quickly. After that, you'll find some exciting rapids that are good for experienced paddlers. This section of whitewater paddling goes on for about 7 miles (11 km) until it reaches Mansfield Hollow Lake.
What is the Mount Hope River Watershed?
A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into a specific river, lake, or ocean. The Mount Hope River watershed covers about 28 square miles (73 square kilometers) in northeastern Connecticut.
Towns in the Watershed
Most of this watershed is in Ashford, Connecticut. However, parts of it also extend into the northeastern section of Mansfield, the northwestern part of Chaplin, and the southern area of Union.
Smaller Streams Joining the River
Many smaller streams, called tributaries, flow into the Mount Hope River. These include Chaffee Brook, Urda Brook, Buck Brook, East Branch Mount Hope River, Basset Brook, Goss Brook, Gardner Brook, Bebbington Brook, Knowlton Brook, and Knowlton Pond Brook. They all help feed water into the main river.
Keeping the River Healthy: Pollution and Restoration
Like many rivers, the Mount Hope River has faced some challenges with its health.
Understanding River Health Challenges
Most of the Mount Hope River in Ashford has been classified as "impaired." This means it has higher-than-normal levels of certain bacteria. This issue affects the river from its start at Morey Pond all the way to where it crosses Route 89 near the Mansfield border. The main causes of these bacteria levels are water runoff from farms, homes, and roads.
How We Help the River
One part of the Mount Hope River in Ashford, where it meets Basset Brook, used to be in poor condition. This area was near a farm where cattle roamed freely. The cattle would walk on the riverbanks, making them unstable. This led to a lot of soil washing away (erosion), which was bad for fish living downstream. It also made the river wider than it should have been.
In 2006, a special project helped fix this section of the river. Workers restored the river to its normal width. They placed large rocks, logs, and special fabric along the riverbanks to make them strong. They also planted new plants and put up fences to keep the cattle away from the river. These efforts helped the river become healthy again!
Fun Activities on the Mount Hope River
The Mount Hope River is a great place for outdoor activities!
Fishing Fun
Many people who love to fish enjoy the Mount Hope River. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection regularly adds trout to the river, so there are plenty of fish to catch. You can also find several other types of fish swimming in its waters.
Paddling and Exploring
As mentioned before, parts of the Mount Hope River are perfect for whitewater paddling. It's a fun way to explore the river and enjoy nature from the water!
Images for kids
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The Mount Hope River during high water
The Mount Hope River during high water
