83 towns, 8 major tributaries, 24 sub-watersheds, rugged mountains, rolling hills, tidal estuary, 100,000 recreational acres and 50 million years of history…
ready to explore.
Stretching 149 miles from its source in the Berkshires south to Long Island Sound, the Housatonic watershed encompasses the “mainstem” river itself, along with dozens of tributaries, streams, lakes and ponds. The watershed spans just under 2,000 square miles – an area even larger than Long Island Sound!
This watershed can be broken down into 24 distinct “sub-watersheds,” each with its own defining characteristics, and its own distinct challenges.
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More about the Housatonic Valley!
Housatonic River Watershed
Facts and stats at a glance:
Source: Confluence of East & West Branches, Pittsfield Mass.
- Elevation at confluence: 959 ft (292 m)
- TOTAL vertical drop 1430 ft (436 m)
- Coordinates: 42°26′01″N 073°15′03″W
Mouth: Long Island Sound
- Coordinates: 41°10′09″N 073°06′30″W
- Discharge at Long Island Sound:
- Average: 4,700 cu ft/s (133 m3/s)
- Max: 48,600 cu ft/s (1,376 m3/s)
- Min: 54 cu ft/s (2 m3/s)
Basin
- Area: 1,948 square miles (5,045 km2)
Rapids
- Classes 1, 2, 3 and 4 are typically present, depending on seasonal flow
