Shawsheen River facts for kids
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The Shawsheen River is a river in northeast Massachusetts. It is about 26.7 miles (43 kilometers) long. The Shawsheen River flows into the larger Merrimack River.
The name "Shawsheen" has been spelled in different ways over time. Many people believe the name means "Great Spring."
Contents
Where the River Flows
The Shawsheen River starts in Bedford. It then flows north through several towns. These towns include Billerica, Wilmington, Tewksbury, and Andover. Finally, it reaches Lawrence, where it joins the Merrimack River.
A River of History and Industry
For a long time, the Shawsheen River has been important to the towns it passes through. In the past, many mills were built along the river. These mills used the river's power to run their machines. This helped the area grow and develop industries.
Today, the river is still important. You can find trails and parks along different parts of the river. People enjoy walking and exploring these areas.
Keeping the River Healthy
Protecting the Shawsheen River is a big job. The Shawsheen River Watershed Association works to keep the river clean and healthy. A "watershed" is all the land where water drains into a river.
In 2001, scientists found that the Shawsheen River was not as clean as it should be. This was often because of stormwater runoff. Stormwater is rain or melted snow that flows over roads and land. It can pick up pollution and carry it into the river.
Because of this pollution, parts of the Shawsheen River are listed as "impaired waters." This means they do not meet water quality standards. Efforts are being made to improve the river's health.
Fish Returning Home
For over 200 years, certain fish could not swim far up the Shawsheen River. This was because of old dams built across the river. Dams are barriers that block the flow of water.
In 2017, two of these dams were removed. These were the Marland Place Dam and the Balmoral Dam. Removing them was a big step! It allowed fish like alewife and blueback herring to swim much farther upstream. These fish can now reach areas they haven't been able to for a very long time. This helps them lay their eggs and grow their populations.
