Waits River
Encyclopedia
The Waits River is a 24.5 miles (39.4 km) river
in eastern Vermont
in the United States
. It is a tributary
of the Connecticut River
, which flows to Long Island Sound
. According to the Geographic Names Information System
, it has also been known historically as "Wait's River" and as "Ma-houn-quam-mas-see."
The Waits River rises in southwestern Caledonia County
in the town of Groton
and shortly enters Orange County, where it flows generally southeastwardly through the towns of Orange
, Topsham
, Corinth
and Bradford, to the village of Bradford
where it joins the Connecticut River.
In the town of Bradford, it collects a short stream known as the South Branch Waits River, which flows eastwardly from Corinth.
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
in eastern Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is a tributary
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
, which flows to Long Island Sound
Long Island Sound
Long Island Sound is an estuary of the Atlantic Ocean, located in the United States between Connecticut to the north and Long Island, New York to the south. The mouth of the Connecticut River at Old Saybrook, Connecticut, empties into the sound. On its western end the sound is bounded by the Bronx...
. According to the Geographic Names Information System
Geographic Names Information System
The Geographic Names Information System is a database that contains name and locative information about more than two million physical and cultural features located throughout the United States of America and its territories. It is a type of gazetteer...
, it has also been known historically as "Wait's River" and as "Ma-houn-quam-mas-see."
The Waits River rises in southwestern Caledonia County
Caledonia County, Vermont
Caledonia County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. As of 2010, the population was 31,227. Its shire town is St. Johnsbury.The county was given the Latin name for Scotland, in honor of the many settlers who claimed ancestry there....
in the town of Groton
Groton, Vermont
Groton is a town in Caledonia County, Vermont, United States. The population was 876 at the 2000 census. It contains the places Groton Pond, Rickers Mills, Rickers and West Groton.-Geography:...
and shortly enters Orange County, where it flows generally southeastwardly through the towns of Orange
Orange, Vermont
Orange is a town in Orange County, Vermont, United States. The population was 965 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 39.0 square miles , of which 38.8 square miles is land and 0.2 square mile is water...
, Topsham
Topsham, Vermont
Topsham is a town in Orange County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,142 at the 2000 census. It contains four villages: East Topsham, Topsham Four Corners, Waits River and West Topsham.-Geography:...
, Corinth
Corinth, Vermont
Corinth is a town in Orange County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,461 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 48.5 square miles , of which 48.5 square miles is land and 0.04 square mile is water...
and Bradford, to the village of Bradford
Bradford (village), Vermont
Bradford is an unincorporated village in the town of Bradford, Orange County, Vermont, United States. The population was 815 at the 2000 census, at which time it was an incorporated village. The village disincorporated on December 1, 2004...
where it joins the Connecticut River.
In the town of Bradford, it collects a short stream known as the South Branch Waits River, which flows eastwardly from Corinth.