North Branch Penobscot River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North Branch Penobscot River |
|
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Maine 1,290 feet (390 m) |
| River mouth | Seboomook Lake 1,070 feet (330 m) 45°54′09″N 69°57′40″W / 45.9025°N 69.9610°W |
| Length | 28 miles (45 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | West Branch Penobscot River – Penobscot River |
The North Branch Penobscot River is a cool river located in Somerset County, Maine. It's an important part of the bigger Penobscot River system. This river flows through beautiful natural areas in Maine. It helps make up the large Penobscot River system.
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Exploring the North Branch Penobscot River
This river is an important waterway in Maine. It is one of the many rivers that feed into the large Penobscot River. Let's learn more about where it starts and what makes it special.
Where Does the River Begin and End?
The North Branch Penobscot River starts at a place called Little Bog. This spot is about 10 miles (16 km) east of the border between Canada and the United States. From Little Bog, the river flows for about 28 miles (45 km). It travels southwest and then southeast. Finally, it joins with the South Branch of the Penobscot River. This meeting point is in Seboomook Lake.
- Source: Little Bog, Maine
- Length: About 28 miles (45 km)
- Mouth: Seboomook Lake, where it meets the South Branch Penobscot River
A Special Canal for Moving Wood
Long ago, in 1939, a company called the Great Northern Paper Company did something interesting. They built a dam at Fifth St. John Pond. They also dug a canal about 2 miles (3.2 km) long. This canal was very important for their business.
Why Was the Canal Built?
The company used the canal to move wood. They wanted to float logs from the Saint John River's Baker Branch into the Penobscot River's North Branch. This helped them get wood to their mill in Millinocket. It was a clever way to transport materials using water.
Unexpected Visitors in the Canal
Something unexpected happened because of this canal. A type of fish called Yellow perch used the canal. They swam through it and spread into the upper parts of the Penobscot River system. This shows how human projects can sometimes affect nature in surprising ways.
