Sheldrake River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sheldrake River |
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Location of the mouth of the Sheldrake River in New York State
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| Other name(s) | Branch Brook |
| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Westchester |
| Municipalities | New Rochelle, Scarsdale, Mamaroneck |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | White Plains 40°59′52″N 73°46′08″W / 40.99778°N 73.76889°W |
| River mouth | Mamaroneck River Mamaroneck 40°57′17″N 73°44′11″W / 40.95472°N 73.73639°W |
| Length | 6 mi (9.7 km) |
The Sheldrake River is a freshwater stream in Westchester County, New York. It starts in White Plains and flows south for about six miles (9.7 km). The river then joins the Mamaroneck River.
The Sheldrake River is the biggest stream that flows into the Mamaroneck River. The Mamaroneck River then empties into Long Island Sound. The area of land that drains into the Sheldrake River is about 6.1 square miles (16 km2). This area includes parts of Mamaroneck Town, New Rochelle, Scarsdale, and a small part of White Plains.
Contents
River's Journey: Where the Sheldrake River Flows
The Sheldrake River begins its journey in White Plains. It flows south through neighborhoods with many homes. The river then goes into a hidden tunnel, partly under the Fenway Golf Course. After this, it comes out and flows into Fenway Pond.
From Fenway Pond, the river continues south. It passes the Heathcote Five Corners area, moving from Scarsdale into New Rochelle. Eventually, it reaches Carpenter Pond. The river flows over a small dam at Carpenter Pond. Here, it becomes wider, about 15 feet (4.6 m) across.
The river then flows south under the Hutchinson River Parkway. It runs along Pine Brook Boulevard for about 1.5 miles (2.4 km). After this, it enters Sheldrake Lake. Water from the lake flows over a spillway into Goodliffe Pond, which is next to the lake.
A dam at the south end of Goodliffe Pond sends water into a seven-foot-wide (2.1 m) channel. This channel flows east through the Bonnie-Briar Golf Course. From Goodliffe Pond, the Sheldrake River flows through Mamaroneck Town. It runs almost next to Weaver Street and then south to Valley Stream Road. Here, another stream called the East Branch joins the Sheldrake River.
The Sheldrake River then flows over several small waterfalls. It reaches Gardens Lake, also known as the Duck Pond. This lake is round and about 200 feet (61 m) wide. After Gardens Lake, the river turns northeast. It goes through an industrial area of Mamaroneck Village. The river flows in tunnels under Interstate 95. Finally, it joins the Mamaroneck River just south of the interstate in the Mamaroneck Village business district.
East Branch of Sheldrake River
The East Branch of the Sheldrake River starts in Scarsdale. It flows south through the Bonnie-Briar Country Club. It meets another small stream at Fenimore Road. Below Fenimore Road, the East Branch flows past Rockland Avenue. It then joins the main Sheldrake River below Valley Stream Road.
Water Quality and River Health
The Sheldrake River and its East Branch are important for the environment. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has given them a "Class C" rating. This means the water is good enough for fish to live and grow there. It also means the water is suitable for activities like fishing and even swimming, though other things might limit swimming.
Rules for Class C watercourses help keep the water clean. They limit things like bacteria, pH levels, and how much oxygen is in the water. This helps protect the fish and other creatures that live in the river.
Other Streams: Mamaroneck River's Tributaries
Two main streams flow into the Mamaroneck River. One comes from the east, and one comes from the west. These are called tributaries.
East Branch of Mamaroneck River
The East Branch of the Mamaroneck River is about 3.3 miles (5.3 km) long. It starts from a small pond in north Harrison. This pond is about 400 feet (120 m) above sea level. The stream then flows southeast for 0.7 miles (1.1 km) into Forest Lake. South of Forest Lake, it flows west to meet the main Mamaroneck River. Spring Lake, also known as Croker Pond, is also part of this system.
West Branch of Mamaroneck River
The West Branch of the Mamaroneck River is the smaller of the two main streams. It drains an area of about 2.3 square miles (6.0 km2). This area is just south of downtown White Plains. The West Branch starts from a wet area and a pond. It flows about 2.75 miles (4.43 km) south and southwest. It passes through several areas designed to manage stormwater. Finally, it joins the main Mamaroneck River near Mamaroneck Avenue and the Hutchinson River Parkway.
