Passagassawakeag River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Passagassawaukeag River |
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A moonlight view of the Passagassawaukeag River along the tracks of the Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad just beyond the old Upper Bridge a little more than a mile inland from Belfast, ME, where it empties into Belfast Bay.
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| Country | United States |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Lake Passagassawakeag Maine 308 feet (90 m) |
| River mouth | Belfast Bay sea level 44°25′48″N 69°00′22″W / 44.430°N 69.006°W |
The Passagassawaukeag River is a river in Waldo County, Maine, United States. It is about 16-mile-long (26 km). This means it's about the same distance as driving from one town to another!
The river starts at Lake Passagassawakeag in Brooks. From there, it flows south and east. It ends in Belfast, Maine, where it joins Belfast Bay. This bay is part of a larger area called Penobscot Bay. The river even flows under US Route 1 near its end.
What's in a Name?
The name Passagassawaukeag comes from the local Native American people. It has a special meaning! People believe it means "a sturgeon's place."
Sturgeon are a type of large fish. The name might also mean "a place for spearing sturgeon by torchlight." This tells us that these fish were important to the people who lived here long ago.
Where Does It Flow?
The Passagassawaukeag River begins its journey in Lake Passagassawakeag. This lake is located in the town of Brooks, Maine. The river then travels through different areas.
It winds its way south and east. Finally, it reaches the city of Belfast. Here, the river widens and becomes an estuary. An estuary is where a river meets the sea.
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River Life and History
Rivers like the Passagassawaukeag are important for many reasons. They provide homes for fish and other wildlife. They also help shape the land around them.
Historically, rivers were like highways. They were used for travel and trade. The Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad even built tracks along this river. This shows how important the river was for transportation in the past.
