Oswego River (New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oswego River |
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The Oswego River as it passes through the city of Oswego.
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The Oswego drainage basin, with the Oswego River highlighted
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| Counties | Onondaga, Oswego |
| City | Oswego |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | 357 ft (109 m) 43°12′5″N 76°16′50″W / 43.20139°N 76.28056°W |
| River mouth | Lake Ontario Oswego 245 ft (75 m) 43°27′54″N 76°30′50″W / 43.46500°N 76.51389°W |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 5,122 sq mi (13,270 km2) |
| Tributaries |
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The Oswego River is a river in upstate New York in the United States. It is the second-largest river flowing into Lake Ontario. The river's name, Oswego, comes from the Mohawk language. It means "flowing out" or "small water flowing into that which is large." The famous novel The Pathfinder, or The Inland Sea by James Fenimore Cooper is set in the Oswego River valley.
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What is the Oswego River Like?
The Oswego River is formed where two other rivers meet. These are the Oneida River and the Seneca River. The Oneida River flows from Oneida Lake. The Seneca River flows from Seneca Lake, Cayuga Lake, and the Montezuma Marsh.
The river flows through a gently rolling landscape. It then drops about 10 to 15 feet to a lower level. From there, it moves quietly until it reaches Lake Ontario.
Where Does the Oswego River Flow?
The Oswego River drains a huge area of land. This area is about 5,122 sq mi (13,270 km2) large. That's as big as the states of Rhode Island and Delaware combined! This area includes most of the Finger Lakes region in upstate New York.
The river ends at Lake Ontario. At its mouth, the river splits the City of Oswego. It also divides the City of Fulton, which is 11 miles upstream.
The Oswego Canal: A Waterway for Boats
Part of the Oswego River is used as a canal. This is called the Oswego Canal. It is part of the New York State Canal System. This canal provides a way for boats to travel from the Erie Canal to Lake Ontario.
The Oswego Canal was finished in 1827. This was two years after the Erie Canal was completed. In 1917, the canal was made deeper and improved. Today, the canal is 14 feet (4.3 m) deep. It also has an overhead clearance of 20 feet (6.1 m). This means boats up to 20 feet tall can pass under bridges.
Keeping the River Clean
The Oswego River was once listed as a Great Lakes Areas of Concern. This meant it had pollution problems. This listing was part of an agreement between the United States and Canada. However, on July 21, 2006, the river was officially removed from this list. This means it is now much cleaner.
Fishing in the Oswego River
The Oswego River is a popular spot for fishing. Many people come here to catch fish.
Types of Fish You Can Catch
The river is known for its steelhead run in the early spring. Steelhead are a type of rainbow trout. After that, a salmon run happens in early autumn.
Stocking the River with Fish
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation helps keep the river full of fish. Every year, they add new fish to the river. They stock it with 140,000 Chinook salmon. They also add 20,000 steelhead each year.
