Mousam River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mousam River |
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View at West Kennebunk c. 1908
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| Country | United States |
The Mousam River is a cool river in York County, Maine, United States. It's about 29.7 miles (47.8 kilometers) long! This river starts from Mousam Lake, which is a lake between the towns of Shapleigh and Acton. From there, it flows all the way to the Atlantic Ocean, near Kennebunk Beach. As it travels, the Mousam River passes through the towns of Shapleigh, Sanford, and Kennebunk.
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About the Mousam River
A river is like a natural flowing waterway, moving from a higher place to a lower place. The Mousam River is an important part of the natural world in Maine. It helps shape the land and provides homes for many plants and animals. Rivers like the Mousam are also important for people. They can be used for fun activities like fishing or boating.
Where the River Flows
The Mousam River begins its journey at Mousam Lake. This lake is a beautiful spot located between two towns. From the lake, the river starts flowing south. It travels through forests and past towns. Eventually, it reaches the Atlantic Ocean. The place where a river meets the ocean is called its mouth. For the Mousam River, its mouth is just west of Kennebunk Beach.
River Friends: Tributaries
Rivers often have smaller streams or rivers that flow into them. These smaller waterways are called tributaries. They add more water to the main river. Think of them as helper streams that join the main river on its journey. The Mousam River has a few important tributaries that feed into it.
- Littlefield River
- Middle Branch Mousam River
- Square Pond, outlet
These tributaries help keep the Mousam River full of water. They also bring water from a wider area, which is called the river's basin.
Dams Along the River
The Mousam River has many dams built along its path. A dam is a barrier that stops or holds back water. Dams are built for different reasons. Some dams on the Mousam River help create electricity. This is called hydroelectric power. Other dams create ponds or lakes for people to enjoy. These areas can be used for swimming, fishing, or boating.
Why Dams Are Built
Dams can be very useful. They can control the flow of water, which helps prevent floods. They can also store water for drinking or farming. In the past, many dams on the Mousam River were used for factories. These factories used the river's power to run their machines. Today, many are used to make clean energy.
List of Dams
The Mousam River has 13 dams. This makes it one of the most dammed rivers in Maine. Here is a list of the dams, starting from the river's source and going towards the ocean:
- Emery Mills Dam or Mousam Dam, Shapleigh
- Mill Street Dam or Alpaca Dam, Springvale (built in 1910)
- Bridge Street Dam, Springvale
- Dam (name unknown), Springvale
- River Street Dam or Stump Pond Dam, Sanford
- Number 1 Pond Dam, Sanford (built in 1911)
- Dam (name unknown), Sanford
- Dam (name unknown), Sanford
- New dam or Estes Lake Dam, Sanford (built in 1905)
- Old Falls dam, Kennebunk
- Dane Perkins Dam, Kennebunk
- Twine Mill Dam, Kennebunk
- Kesslan Dam, Kennebunk
These dams show how people have used the Mousam River over time. They are a big part of the river's history and its future.
