Stony Brook (Merrimack River tributary) facts for kids
Stony Brook is a cool stream, or small river, in northeastern Massachusetts. It's like a smaller helper river because it flows into a bigger one called the Merrimack River. Stony Brook joins the Merrimack River in a town called Chelmsford.
This stream is important to many towns. It helps carry water from a large area, which we call a watershed.
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Discovering Stony Brook
Stony Brook is a natural waterway that plays a part in the environment of several towns. It's not just a line on a map; it's a living part of the landscape, providing water and habitats for plants and animals. Understanding streams like Stony Brook helps us learn about how water moves across the land.
What is a Watershed?
Imagine a giant bowl where all the rain and snow that falls eventually flows into one main stream or river. That "bowl" is called a watershed. For Stony Brook, its watershed includes water from eight different towns. These towns are Boxborough, Harvard, Littleton, Ayer, Groton, Westford, Tyngsborough, and Chelmsford. All the water that falls in these areas eventually finds its way into Stony Brook.
The Journey of Stony Brook
Stony Brook's adventure begins far upstream, about 22 miles (35 kilometers) from where it meets the Merrimack River. Its farthest starting point is a smaller stream called Beaver Brook.
Beaver Brook's Start
Beaver Brook begins in a wet, marshy area called Wolf Swamp in Boxborough. As it flows, Beaver Brook passes through a pretty spot called Mill Pond, right in the middle of Littleton. Its journey ends when it reaches Forge Pond in a part of Westford known as Forge Village.
From Forge Pond to Merrimack River
Stony Brook itself officially starts as the water flowing out of Forge Pond. This water is controlled by a dam. From there, Stony Brook travels northeast. Along its way, it passes by several interesting places:
- Graniteville
- The Stony Brook Reservoir (don't get this confused with another reservoir of the same name in Weston and Waltham!)
- Westford Station
- Nabnasset
- Brookside Station
- West Chelmsford
Finally, after its long journey, Stony Brook reaches the mighty Merrimack River in North Chelmsford. For much of its path, Stony Brook flows right next to a railroad line, almost like they're traveling together.
