Paskamanset River facts for kids
The Paskamanset River is a river about 13.4 miles (21.6 km) long in New Bedford and Dartmouth, Massachusetts. It's also sometimes called the Paskamansett River. This river and the Slocums River are actually connected and form one larger waterway. The part of the river that has fresh water kept its original Native American name, Paskamanset. The part closer to the ocean, which has salt water, was named after an English explorer.
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Journey of the Paskamanset River
The Paskamanset River starts in a special place called the Acushnet cedar swamp in New Bedford. It also begins in Sassaquin Pond, which is sometimes called Myles Pond.
Where the River Flows
From its start, the river flows through the town of Dartmouth. It goes under a big road called U.S. Route 6. The river then continues towards a place called Russells Mills. Finally, it flows into the Slocums River. There's also a flat, wet area nearby called Apponagansett Swamp, which is connected to the river's path.
Keeping the River Healthy
For many years, the Paskamanset River has faced some challenges with its health.
Why the River Needed Help
The river had too many germs and too much of certain nutrients, like nitrogen. These problems mostly came from the town's old dump, which was a place where trash was buried. Even though the dump was closed in 1995 and covered up to stop pollution, waste from decades ago has been slowly leaking into the river.
Protecting Fish in the River
Historically, many river herring used to swim up the Paskamanset River to lay their eggs. These fish are very important to the river's ecosystem. However, since the mid-1970s, the number of river herring has greatly decreased. This might be because more buildings and towns have grown up around the river, and because dams have been built. People are now working hard to help the river herring return and thrive in the Paskamanset River again.
