Neponset River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Neponset River |
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Neponset River with Granite Avenue in background
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Charles, Mystic and Neponset river watersheds
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| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Neponset Reservoir Foxborough, Massachusetts, United States 42°05′10″N 71°14′38″W / 42.086°N 71.244°W |
| River mouth | Dorchester Bay Massachusetts 42°18′00″N 71°02′31″W / 42.300°N 71.042°W |
| Length | 29 mi (47 km) |
The Neponset River is a river located in eastern Massachusetts, United States. It starts at the Neponset Reservoir in Foxborough, close to Gillette Stadium. From there, the river flows generally northeast for about 29 miles (47 km). It ends at Dorchester Bay, which is between Quincy and the Dorchester area of Boston. You might even spot the famous painted gas tank nearby!
The Neponset River forms the southern edge of the city of Boston. It flows through neighborhoods like Readville, Hyde Park, Mattapan, and Dorchester. It also creates the northern border for the city of Quincy.
Beyond these cities, the Neponset River also touches many towns. These include Foxborough, Walpole, Sharon, Norwood, Canton, Stoughton, Westwood, Dedham, and Milton.
The river gets its water from a large area called a drainage basin, which is about 130 square miles (337 square km). This area, known as the Neponset River watershed, includes underground water sources (aquifers), wet areas (wetlands), streams, and surrounding higher lands. About 250,000 people live in this watershed. Besides the towns listed above, parts of Medfield, Dover, and Randolph are also in this watershed.
A smaller river called the Canton River flows into the Neponset River. It is located in Canton and passes under the historic Canton Viaduct.
Contents
A Look Back: The Neponset River's History
Early Inhabitants and Trade
Before European settlers arrived, Native American tribes lived along the Neponset River. These tribes spoke Algonquian languages. Archeologists have found very old sites, like the Wamsutta site, which dates back over 10,000 years! There's also evidence of people living here around 5000 BC at places like Green Hill, near the Blue Hills.
The first written records of the river date back to 1619. At that time, Native Americans traveled down the Neponset River to Thompson's Island. There, they traded animal furs with English settlers.
The River's Role in Industry
The fast-flowing water of the Neponset River was very important for early industries in the United States. It provided power for the country's first water-powered gristmill (for grinding grain), gunpowder mill, and paper mill. The famous Revere Copper Company also used the river's power.
The upper part of the Neponset River, in Foxborough, Walpole, and Norwood, drops quite steeply. It falls about 228 feet (69 meters) over its first 12 miles (19 km). This steep slope made it perfect for powering machines during the early years of the Industrial Revolution.
- In 1635, Israel Stoughton built the first dam on the Neponset River. This was only the second dam ever built in the New World! It powered his grist mill and later other mills for flour, gunpowder, and paper.
- In 1639, English settlers in Dedham started digging a canal. This canal connected the Charles River to Mother Brook, which is a smaller stream that flows into the Neponset. This was the first man-made canal in North America! It helped bring more water power to mills along the lower Neponset.
- By 1640, people started building ships at Gulliver's Creek Wharf.
- In 1673, John Trescott built a sawmill (for cutting wood) on the river.
Famous Companies and Transportation
The Neponset River continued to be a hub of activity:
- In 1765, a chocolate mill was started by Dr. James Baker and John Hannon. This mill later became the famous Walter Baker & Company, which still makes Baker's Chocolate today! It was located in the Lower Mills area of Dorchester.
- By 1770, Daniel Vose's large shipping warehouses were very busy. Ship building and commercial shipping were major industries near the river's mouth.
- In 1773, George Clark built a paper mill where Trescott's lumber mill used to be. This mill later became the Tileston and Hollingsworth Paper Mill in 1836.
- In 1826, the river became the end point for the Granite Railway. This was the first commercial railway in the United States! It helped transport granite from quarries to the river for shipping.
The Neponset River was so important that it played a central role in the founding of the town of Walpole. Today, the river still flows through the historic Dorchester-Milton Lower Mills Industrial District. On some old maps, the part of the Neponset from Milton to Dorchester Bay was even called the Milton River.
River Changes for Stadiums
During the building of the Foxboro Raceway and later Foxboro Stadium, about 2,000 feet (610 meters) of the river were placed into underground pipes. When Gillette Stadium was built, the river was moved to the edge of the property. It was also "daylit," meaning it was brought back out into the open air.
Neponset River Reservation: A Place to Explore
The Neponset River and the land around it are now being protected. This area, called the Neponset River Reservation, is becoming a great place for people to enjoy the outdoors.
Many plans from 1966 to improve the lower Neponset River have been put into action. For example, an old landfill and a drive-in movie theater were turned into the 66-acre (27-hectare) Pope John Paul II Park. This park opened in 2001. Also, at Squantum Point in Quincy, a 25-acre (10-hectare) part of a former U.S. Navy Airfield was turned into waterfront parkland. This area, Squantum Point Park, opened in 2001.
Trails Along the River
A trail called the Lower Neponset River Trail opened in 2003. It is about 2.4 miles (3.9 km) long. This trail follows an old railroad path. Part of this path is also used by the MBTA Ashmont–Mattapan High Speed Line, which is a train line.
