York River (Maine) facts for kids
The York River is a 13-mile-long stream located in beautiful southeast Maine, United States. It begins at York Pond in Eliot and flows southeast, eventually reaching the Atlantic Ocean at York Harbor in the town of York. For more than half its length, the river is "tidal." This means its water level goes up and down with the ocean's tides, just like a beach.
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What's in a Name?
Long ago, the Abenaki people, who are Native Americans, called this river Agamenticus. This name means "Beyond-the-hill-little-cove." It described how the river's mouth looked if you were coming from the north, as it was hidden behind a hill. That hill is now known as Mount Agamenticus.
Protecting the York River
The York River is a special place, and people want to keep it healthy and beautiful. In 2013, a bill was introduced in the United States House of Representatives by Representative Chellie Pingree. This bill, called the York River Wild and Scenic River Study Act, asked the National Park Service (NPS) to study the river.
What is a Wild and Scenic River?
The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System helps protect rivers that have important natural, cultural, or recreational value. If a river is added to this system, it gets special care to keep it clean and healthy for everyone.
Why Study the York River?
The study would help decide if parts of the York River should be added to this special system. It would also look at how this protection might affect activities people already do on the river, like fishing or boating. The goal is to make sure the river stays a wonderful place for both nature and people.
