The Exeter-Squamscott River

0

Miles Long

0

Plant Species

0

Square Miles Drain To The River

0

Communities Connected

A river so nice they named it twice, the Exeter-Squamscott connects a dozen communities to Great Bay. It arises as the Exeter River from the spring-fed ponds of Chester and flows for 33 miles to downtown Exeter, where it becomes the tidally influenced Squamscott. Along the way, it provides drinking water, a home for fish and wildlife, and places to enjoy fishing, swimming, and boating.

Credit: Tim Briggs/NH Sea Grant

For more information about how to enjoy and protect this river, visit the Exeter-Squamscott River Local Advisory Committee website and check out the river's management plan.

Image

WHO LIVES ALONG THE EXETER-SQUAMSCOTT RIVER?

With its wide diversity of habitats, the Exeter-Squamscott River watershed is home to many native animals, fish, plants, and trees.

Fishers
Fishers can be found around Exeter-Squamscott River
Credit: USFWS
Neither cat nor fish eater, the curiously named fisher cat is sometimes heard along the Exeter-Squamscott and other tidal rivers in New Hampshire.
Great blue herons
Great blue herons can be found around Exeter-Squamscott River
Silent sentinals, great blue herons are common features along the edge of the Exeter-Squamscott and other tidal rivers in the region.
Blanding’s turtles
Blanding’s turtles can be found around Exeter-Squamscott River
At least six of New Hampshire’s native turtles live near the Exeter-Squamscott, including the endangered Blanding’s turtle.
Salt marsh hay
Salt marsh hay can be found around Exeter-Squamscott River
Credit: Great Bay NERR
The funny cowlick tufts of salt marsh hay in meadows along the Exeter-Squamscott are a favorite subject of local artists.
Praying Mantis
Praying Mantis can be found around Exeter-Squamscott River
Credit: Canfield, Doug, USFWS
There are many praying mantises that live in the salt marshes of the Exeter-Squamscott River.
Alewife
Alewife can be found around Exeter-Squamscott River
Credit: Hagerty, Ryan, USFWS
After the Exeter Dam removal, Alewife had free range of this tidal river for the first time in hundreds of years; that's something to celebrate!

Help protect the Exeter-Squamscott River

There’s a lot to love about the Exeter-Squamscott. Thanks to community support, most of the river was designated under New Hampshire Rivers Management and Protection Program in 1995. In 2011, the lower segment of the Exeter and the Squamscott Rivers were added to the designation. Polluted stormwater runoff is one of the biggest threats to the river’s water quality. You can help protect the Exeter-Squamscott and all the benefits it provides.

Explore the Exeter-Squamscott River

Turn on toggles below to show activities around the map and click the map markers to learn about a location's amenities, accessibility, and more.

Activities

Amenities