Ipswich River

Ipswich River is a small river in northeastern Massachusetts, USA. Its watershed is approximately 155 square miles and the estimated population in the area is 160,000 people. ref|watershed

Geography

The river is formed by the junction of Lubber and Maple Meadow brooks in Wilmington. It passes through the towns of Wilmington, Reading, North Reading, Middleton, Topsfield, Hamilton, and flows into Atlantic Ocean at Ipswich Bay. ref|riverflow

Formation of the Ipswich River basin began in the Pleistocene Era, some 10,000 years ago. Glaciers created ridges, deposited sand and gravel, making today's riverbed. ref|geology

Usage

The first written record about the Ipswich River is from 1638 when John Winthrop bought from Chief Masconomet the lands along the river and exclusive fishing rights for 20 pounds sterling.

Most of the land along the river is privately owned but in certain recreational areas non-motorized boats, fishing, and swimming is allowed. It is attractive to canoeists. In the swampy and wetland areas a wide variety of birds can be seen.

Drinking water for many communities is provided from Ipswich River. It is estimated that source of public drinking water for approximately 350,000 people comes from the river's watershed although most of these people live outside the area. There are some concerns about the quality of the water as the river dries up and some places become a dumping ground for tires . ref|watershort

Points of interest

* Bradley Palmer State Park
* Ipswich River Park in North Reading
* Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Sources

# [http://www.mass.gov/envir/water/ipswich/ipswich.htm mass.gov - Ipswich River Watershed]
# [http://www.naturecompass.org/ipswichbaycircuit/ipswich/river.html Nature Compass - About the Ipswich River]
# http://www.ipswichriver.org/watershed/riverhistory.htm
# [http://users.net1plus.com/tdriskell/ipswich.htm Water shortage hits home upstream]