Piscataquis River facts for kids

The Piscataquis River is a river in Maine, United States. It is a major tributary of the Penobscot River. A tributary is a smaller river or stream that flows into a larger river.

The Piscataquis River starts where its East Branch and West Branch join together. This joining point is called a confluence. It is located in Blanchard. The river then flows mostly towards the east. It travels about 65 miles (105 km) before it meets the Penobscot River in Howland.

Measuring the River's Flow

The United States government uses special tools to measure how much water flows in the Piscataquis River. These tools are called river flow gauges. They help scientists understand the river's health and how it changes.

River Gauges in Maine

There are three main river flow gauges on the Piscataquis River.

• One gauge is in Blanchard. It measures water from an area of about 118 square miles (306 km²).
• Another gauge is near Dover-Foxcroft, Maine. This gauge measures water from a larger area, about 298 square miles (772 km²).
• The third gauge is in Medford, Maine. This gauge covers the largest area, about 1,162 square miles (3,010 km²).

These gauges help keep track of the river's water levels. They show how the river changes with different weather, like rain or dry spells.

Important Features Along the River

The Piscataquis River area has some interesting landmarks.

Appalachian Trail Connection

The famous Appalachian Trail follows along the West Branch of the Piscataquis River. This long hiking trail crosses the East Branch just before it joins the West Branch. Hikers on the trail get to see beautiful parts of the river.

Howland Dam

Near where the Piscataquis River flows into the Penobscot River, there is a structure called the Howland Dam. A dam is a barrier built across a river to hold back water. This dam is located right at the meeting point of the two rivers.