The Skug River, said to be a misspelling of Skunk River, is a 4.9 miles (7.9 km) river in North Andover

North Andover, Massachusetts

North Andover is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. North Andover is the home of Merrimack College, a private, Catholic four-year institution ....

, Andover

Andover, Massachusetts

Andover is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. It was incorporated in 1646 and as of the 2010 census, the population was 33,201...

, and North Reading, Massachusetts

North Reading, Massachusetts

North Reading is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 14,892 at the 2010 census.-History:The area was first settled in 1651 when the town of Reading received a special land grant north of the Ipswich River...

 that constitutes part of the Ipswich River

Ipswich River

Ipswich River is a small river in northeastern Massachusetts, USA. It is long, and its watershed is approximately , with an estimated population in the area of 160,000 people. - Geography :...

 watershed.

The river arises from wetlands just south of Boston Hill in the Harold Parker State Forest

Harold Parker State Forest

Harold Parker State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Andover, North Andover, North Reading and Middleton . The park is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.-Description:...

, and flows mainly southwest to empty into Martin's Pond in North Reading. From there, Martin's Brook carries its waters onwards to the Ipswich River

Ipswich River

Ipswich River is a small river in northeastern Massachusetts, USA. It is long, and its watershed is approximately , with an estimated population in the area of 160,000 people. - Geography :...

.

The river was dammed over 200 years ago for a sawmill and grist mill. Although the dam has since disappeared, the large stone walls of its millrace can still be seen in the Harold Parker State Forest

Harold Parker State Forest

Harold Parker State Forest is a Massachusetts state forest located in Andover, North Andover, North Reading and Middleton . The park is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.-Description:...

, as can the old Jenkins Soapstone Quarry abutting the river.