Willimantic River

Geobox River
name = Willimantic River
native_name =
other_name =
other_name1 =

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image_size = 300
image_caption = The Willimantic River flows past the old American Thread Company mill in Willimantic, CT.
country = U.S.
country1 =
state = Connecticut
state1 =
region_type = Counties
region = Tolland
region1 = Windham
district =
district1 =
city =
city1 =
length_imperial = 25
watershed_imperial = 225
discharge_location = Coventry, CT
discharge_average_imperial = 216
discharge_average_note = Average, 1931-2005
discharge_max_imperial = 370
discharge_max_note = Annual mean, 1938
discharge_min_imperial = 97.9
discharge_min_note = Annual mean, 1965
discharge_location_note = cite web |url=http://pubs.usgs.gov/wdr/2005/wdr-ct-05-1/ |title=Water Resources Data Connecticut Water Year 2005 |author=United States Geological Survey |year=2005 |accessdate=2007-06-04 ]
discharge1_location =
discharge1_average =
source_name = Confluence of Middle River and Furnace Brook
source_location = Stafford Springs
source_district =
source_region = Tolland County
source_state = Connecticut
source_country = USA
source_lat_d = 41
source_lat_m = 57
source_lat_s = 09
source_lat_NS = N
source_long_d = 72
source_long_m = 18
source_long_s = 07
source_long_EW = W
source_coordinates_note = cite web | last = Geographic Names Information System | first = United States Geological Survey | date = September 12, 1979 | url =Gnis3|212664 | title =Geographic Names Information System Feature Detail Report: Willimantic River | accessdate =2007-06-04]
source_elevation_imperial =
source_length_imperial =
mouth_name = Confluence with Natchaug River to form Shetucket River
mouth_location = Willimantic
mouth_district =
mouth_region = Windham County
mouth_state = Connecticut
mouth_country = USA
mouth_lat_d = 41
mouth_lat_m = 42
mouth_lat_s = 46
mouth_lat_NS = N
mouth_long_d = 72
mouth_long_m = 11
mouth_long_s = 30
mouth_long_EW = W
mouth_coordinates_note = cite web | last = Geographic Names Information System | first = United States Geological Survey | date = September 12, 1979 | url =Gnis3|209178 | title =Geographic Names Information System Feature Detail Report: Natchaug River | accessdate =2007-06-04]
mouth_elevation_imperial =
tributary_left =
tributary_left1 =
tributary_right =
tributary_right1 =
free_name =
free_value =


map_size =
map_caption =

The Willimantic River is a tributary of the Shetucket River, approximately 25 mi (40 km) long in northeastern Connecticut in the New England region of the United States.

It is formed in northern Tolland County, near Stafford Springs by the confluence of Middle River and Furnace Brook. It flows south to the city of Willimantic, where it joins the Natchaug River to form the Shetucket. Along the way, it is joined by Roaring Brook, Bone Mill Brook, Eagleville Brook, Cedar Swamp Brook, Mill Brook in Coventry, Skungamaug River, Hop River, and Ten Mile River. It feeds and drains from Eagleville Pond.

Shortly upstream from its confluence with the Natchaug, the Willimantic experiences a drop of ninety feet in one mile. This section was named "Wilimentuck" (land of swiftly-moving waters) by the Native Americans who fished there. The river powered textile mills from Stafford Springs to Willimantic, including the American Thread Company mill. None of these mills are operating as of 2007, having all been destroyed or converted to other uses such as apartment space.

A popular long paddling route begins south of Stafford Springs along Route 32 where the river is mostly quickwater all of the way to the flatwater of Eagleville Pond. The remainder is fairly easy going to the take-out at Route 66. Beware of the dam at the Route 275 bridge. Other access points may be at the N. River Road bridge, the Route 74 bridge, the Depot Rd bridge, the Route 195 bridge, the Jones Crossing bridge, the Merrow Road bridge, the U.S. Route 44 bridge, Brigham bridge, near the Route 275 dam, the Depot Rd bridge, the Route 31 bridge, and the Flanders Rd bridge.

ee also

*List of Connecticut rivers

References

External links

* [http://www.willimanticriver.org/river/river.html Meet the Willimantic River]
* [http://www.ctxguide.com/ctxguide_138.htm Connecticut Explorer's Guide] Online paddling map of the Willimantic River.