Piscataquis River
| Piscataquis River | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Maine |
| Mouth |
Penobscot River 45°14′20″N 68°39′22″W / 45.239°N 68.656°WCoordinates: 45°14′20″N 68°39′22″W / 45.239°N 68.656°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Length | about 62 miles (100 km) |
| Source elevation | 590 feet (180 m) |
| Mouth elevation | 130 feet (40 m) |
| Left tributaries | East Branch Piscataquis River, Sebec River, Pleasant River |
| Right tributaries | West Branch Piscataquis River |
The Piscataquis River is a major tributary of the Penobscot River, found in Piscataquis County, Maine, United States. It starts from the confluence of its East Branch and West Branch (45°16′54″N 69°35′24″W / 45.2817°N 69.5901°W) in Blanchard. The river flows in a mostly eastern direction until it meets the Penobscot at Howland. It is approximately 65 miles (105 km) in length.[1]
The United States government maintains three river flow gauges on the Piscataquis river. The first is at Blanchard (45°16′02″N 69°35′03″W / 45.26722°N 69.58417°W) where the rivershed is 118 square miles (306 km2). Flow here has ranged from 7,550 to 4.8 cubic feet per second (0.14 m3/s). The second is near Dover-Foxcroft, Maine (45°10′31″N 69°18′55″W / 45.17528°N 69.31528°W) where the rivershed is 298 square miles (772 km2). Flow here has ranged from 37,300 to 5 cubic feet (0.14 m3) per second. The third is in Medford, Maine (45°15′40″N 68°52′07″W / 45.26111°N 68.86861°W) where the rivershed is 1,162 square miles (3,010 km2). Flow here has ranged from 60,100 to 66 cubic feet (1.9 m3) per second.[2]
The Appalachian Trail runs along the West Branch of the Piscataquis, crossing the East Branch just upstream from their joining. The river is impounded by the Howland Dam at its confluence with the Penobscot River.[3]
External links
- "Piscataquis River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. 30 September 1980. Retrieved 2010-05-31.
- Real-time flow data for the Blanchard, Dover-Foxcroft, or Medford flow gages.
- River elevation tables
- National Weather Service forecast of river levels and flow.
References
- ↑ "Piscataquis River".
- ↑ G.J. Stewart, J.P. Nielsen, J.M. Caldwell, A.R. Cloutier (2002). "Water Resources Data - Maine, Water Year 2001" (PDF). Water Resources Data - Maine, Water Year 2001. Archived from the original on 2005-11-18. Retrieved 2006-05-07.
- ↑ "Howland Dam". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved December 18, 2012.