Pocwock River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pocwock River |
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|---|---|
| Countries | Canada, United States |
| States | Quebec, Maine |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Mont-Carmel, Quebec, Kamouraska Regional County Municipality, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Quebec 496 metres (1,627 ft) 47°11′25″N 69°30′46″W / 47.19028°N 69.51278°W |
| River mouth | Township T16 R12 WELS, Aroostook County, Maine, United States 210 metres (690 ft) 47°03′58″N 69°17′51″W / 47.06611°N 69.29750°W |
| Length | 36.7 kilometres (22.8 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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The Pocwock River is a river that flows into the Saint John River (Bay of Fundy). It starts in Quebec, Canada, and then flows into Maine, United States.
In Quebec, people often call it "Pocwock stream." Most of its journey, especially in Maine, is through thick forests. It flows through a quiet mountain valley, away from busy areas.
The river's path is found between Fox Creek to the east and the Chimenticook River to the west. You can reach the Pocwock River area by using some forest roads.
The Pocwock River eventually joins the Saint John River (Bay of Fundy). The Saint John River then winds its way through New Brunswick and empties into the Bay of Fundy. The Bay of Fundy opens up to the huge Atlantic Ocean.
Where the Pocwock River Starts and Flows
The Pocwock River begins high up in the Notre Dame Mountains. This is in the town of Mont-Carmel, Quebec, in the Kamouraska Regional County Municipality of Quebec.
The very start of the river is about 0.8 kilometers (half a mile) northwest of the border between Quebec and Maine. It's also about 2.1 kilometers (1.3 miles) northeast of East Lake.
The river flows for about 36.7 kilometers (22.8 miles) in total. Here's how its journey goes:
- First, it flows about 1.1 kilometers (0.7 miles) south in Mont-Carmel, Quebec. This takes it to the border between Quebec and Maine.
- Then, it travels about 16.2 kilometers (10.1 miles) southeast through Maine. Along this part, it meets the West Branch Pocwock Stream.
- After that, it continues southeast for about 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles), where another small stream joins it from the north.
- Next, it flows about 10.0 kilometers (6.2 miles) more to the southeast. Here, it meets the East Branch Pocwock Stream.
- Finally, it goes another 7.0 kilometers (4.3 miles) southeast until it reaches its end.
Where the Pocwock River Ends
The Pocwock River flows into the north side of the Saint John River (Bay of Fundy). This meeting point is in Aroostook County, Maine.
This spot is about 20.6 kilometers (12.8 miles) west of a small village called Allagash, Maine. It's also about 4.7 kilometers (2.9 miles) downstream from where the Chimenticook River joins the Saint John River.
The Story Behind the Name
The name Pocwock is used for this river and its two main branches: the West Branch Pocwock Stream and the East Branch Pocwock Stream.
It's interesting because the spelling of the river's name is a bit different in Canada and the United States. In Quebec, Canada, the name is sometimes spelled "Pockwock," with a 'k' in the middle. However, in the United States, the official spelling used by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) is "Pocwock," without the 'k' in the middle.
The name "ruisseau Pockwock" (which means "Pockwock brook" in English) was officially recognized in Quebec on December 5, 1968. This was done by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, which is the board that names places in Quebec.
