Quinetucket River

The word "Connecticut" is a corruption of the Mohegan word quinetucket, which means "beside the long, tidal river”.

It is the longest river in New England, flowing roughly southward for 410 miles through four states (New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut). It rises at the U.S. border with Quebec, Canada, and discharges at Long Island Sound.

Archaeological digs reveal human habitation in the Connecticut River Valley 6,000 years ago. In 1614, Dutch explorer Adriaen Block became the first European to chart the Connecticut River and claimed it for the Netherlands. Ensuing British settlements became ascendant until the takeover from the Dutch in 1664.

Once described as America’s “best landscaped sewer,” the Connecticut has largely rebounded from hard times and today provides drinking water for millions and supports recreational uses, important fisheries, and healthy landscapes. The river and its tributaries have received several federal designations for their wild and scenic nature and importance to the region’s cultural heritage.

Like my other river photo journeys, I also included the areas within 1/2 mile of the River (per my geotags below right) in order to capture its profound effect on the cities, towns, farms, industries and other features of the landscape nearby.