Walloomsac River facts for kids

The Walloomsac River gets its name from a Native American word, "Wal-loom-sac." This river is about 16.8 miles (27.0 km) long and flows into the Hoosic River in the northeastern United States. It starts in southwestern Vermont, high up in the Green Mountains near the town of Bennington.

The river begins where two smaller streams, Bolles Brook and City Stream, meet in a place called Woodford Hollow. Here, it's sometimes called Walloomsac Brook on maps, but local people often call it "The Roaring Branch." The river then flows west, passing north of downtown Bennington. A long time ago, around 1810, some of the river's water was moved to power mills in the town. This is why a part of the river flowing through town is now called South Stream. The main Walloomsac River eventually joins up with the Roaring Branch again northwest of Bennington. From there, it continues flowing west until it meets the Hoosic River near Hoosick Falls, New York.

River Crossings: Bridges Over the Walloomsac

Many roads and railroads cross over the Walloomsac River and its branches using bridges. These bridges help people and trains get from one side of the river to the other safely.

Bridges in Vermont

In Vermont, you'll find several bridges crossing the different parts of the river:

Walloomsac Brook Bridges

• Vermont Route 9: This bridge, known as the "Woodford Bridge," was unfortunately washed away by floods from Hurricane Irene in August 2011. There's also another bridge east of downtown Bennington.

The Roaring Branch Bridges

• Vermont Route 279: This road crosses the river with two one-way bridges.
• North Branch Street: The bridge here is locally called the Brooklyn Bridge.
• Park Street: Another crossing point.
• US Route 7: A major road that crosses the river.
• Railroad Bridge: A train bridge located between US Route 7 and Benmont Avenue.

Walloomsac River Main Section Bridges

• Benmont Avenue: This road crosses the main part of the river.
• Hunt Street Foot Bridge: This bridge, meant for people walking, was also washed away by floods during Hurricane Irene in August 2011.
• Vermont Route 279: This road crosses the river again as part of the "Bennington Bypass."
• Silk Road: This road crosses the river using the historic Silk Covered Bridge.
• Murphy Road: This road crosses the river in two places at Paper Mill Village, including the Paper Mill Village Covered Bridge.
• River Road: This road crosses using the Burt Henry Covered Bridge.

Bridges in New York

As the Walloomsac River flows into New York, it is crossed by more roads and railroads:

• Cottrell Road: This road crosses the river in two different spots.
• Caretakers Road: Another road crossing.
• Factory Hill Road: This road also crosses the river.
• New York Route 22: A state highway that crosses the river.
• Railroad Bridges: There are three different railroad bridges that cross the river in New York.

River Branches: Where Water Joins the Walloomsac

As you travel upstream from where the Walloomsac River meets the Hoosic River, you'll find many smaller streams and brooks that flow into it. These are called tributaries, and they add water to the main river.

• Little White Creek
• Paran Creek
• Walloomsac River (original path through downtown Bennington): This part of the river's name ends where Roaring Brook and South Stream meet.
  • Roaring Brook
  • Barney Brook
  • South Stream
    • Jewett Brook
    • Roaring Branch (of South Stream)
• Roaring Branch of the Walloomsac River: This name is used on maps from US Route 7 to Vermont Route 9, but locals often use this name all the way to Bolles Brook.
  • Furnace Brook
    • Stratton Brook
    • Basin Brook
  • Walloomsac Brook: This name is used on maps from Vermont Route 9 to where Bolles Brook and City Stream meet.
    • Bolles Brook
      • Bickford Hollow Brook
      • Hell Hollow Brook
    • City Stream
      • Stamford Stream

Images for kids

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  Bridge over the Walloomsac River, Hoosick Falls, from a 1907 postcard