Peconic River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peconic River |
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The Peconic near its mouth in Riverhead, New York
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| Country | United States |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Brookhaven National Laboratory 249 feet (76 m) |
| River mouth | Riverhead/Flanders Bay 0 ft (0 m) |
| Length | 15 mi (24 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 75 sq mi (194 km2) |
The Peconic River is a cool river located in Suffolk County on Long Island, New York. It's super important because it's the longest river on Long Island! This river flows through the eastern part of Long Island. It drains water from an area between two hilly landforms called moraines. The Peconic River then flows into Flanders Bay, which connects to Peconic Bay near Riverhead.
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Where the Peconic River Starts
The Peconic River begins in wet, marshy areas known as bogs and wetlands. These areas are in the center of Long Island. It starts close to the Brookhaven National Laboratory. From there, the river flows east all the way to Peconic Bay.
Long Island's Longest River
The Peconic River is the longest river on Long Island. Most of the river is inside a special protected area. This area is called the Long Island Central Pine Barrens. It was created in 1993 to keep the area wild and natural. This helps protect the river and its surroundings.
Fresh Water to Salt Water
For part of its journey, the Peconic River is made of fresh water. This changes when it reaches the middle of Riverhead. At this point, the river becomes an estuary. An estuary is where fresh water from a river mixes with salty water from the ocean. This creates a unique environment.
Fun on the Peconic River
The Peconic River moves very slowly. This makes it a perfect spot for fun activities. You can enjoy canoeing and kayaking on its calm waters. It's a great way to explore nature.
River as a Border
The Peconic River also acts as a natural boundary. It forms the border between two towns: Brookhaven and Riverhead. It also marks the border between Riverhead and Southampton.
Images for kids
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Peconic River
