Shepaug River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shepaug River |
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Roxbury Falls on the Shepaug River
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| Other name(s) | (Also called Sheppang, Sheppog, Shippang, Shippaug, and Shippoack) |
| Country | United States |
| States | Connecticut |
| Towns | Warren, Washington, Roxbury, Southbury |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Shepaug Reservoir Warren, Connecticut 820 ft (250 m) (41°43′24″N 73°17′39″W / 41.723354°N 73.294079°W) |
| River mouth | Lake Lillinonah Southbury, Connecticut 197 ft (60 m) (41°28′09″N 73°18′38″W / 41.4692620°N 73.3106729°W) |
| Length | 26 mi (42 km) |
| Width |
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| Basin features | |
| River system | Housatonic |
| Basin size | 45,400.46 acres (18,372.91 ha) |
| Gradient | 20 to 30 fpm |
The Shepaug River is a 26-mile (42 km) long river in western Connecticut, United States. It flows through beautiful towns and is an important part of the local environment.
Contents
Discover the Shepaug River
The Shepaug River starts in the town of Warren. It flows south through several towns. These towns include Washington, Roxbury, and Southbury. The river eventually joins the Housatonic River at Lake Lillinonah. This lake is formed by the Shepaug Dam, which helps make electricity.
Where Does the River Begin?
The Shepaug River begins at the southern end of the Shepaug Reservoir. This reservoir is a large body of water in Warren, Connecticut. Two smaller rivers, the West Branch Shepaug River and the East Branch Shepaug River, feed into the northern part of the reservoir. The river's starting point is about 820 feet (250 meters) above sea level.
The River's Journey to Lake Lillinonah
As the Shepaug River flows south, it passes through different landscapes. It travels through the towns of Washington, Roxbury, and Southbury. Finally, it reaches Lake Lillinonah, where it meets the Housatonic River. The river's journey ends at an elevation of about 197 feet (60 meters) above sea level.
What is a River's Watershed?
A river's watershed is like a giant bowl. It includes all the land where rain and snowmelt drain into that river. The Shepaug River's watershed covers about 150 square miles (388 square kilometers). This area includes many towns. Some of these towns are Cornwall, Goshen, Torrington, Warren, Litchfield, Washington, Morris, New Milford, Roxbury, Bridgewater, and Southbury.
A Look Back in Time: Early River Life
People have lived near the Shepaug River for a very long time. Evidence from archaeology shows that humans lived here as far back as 4000 B.C. That's about 6,000 years ago! However, the number of people living here seemed to decrease around 1000 B.C.
The Shepaug River: A Source of Drinking Water
The Shepaug River is a very important source of drinking water. It provides water for the city of Waterbury. Because the river is so important, there have been discussions about how much water can be taken from it. People want to make sure there's enough water for both the city and the river's natural environment.
