The Missituk River (Muhs-uhtuq)
The Missituk River (or Missatak River, an occasional earlier spelling) is a 110-mile-long river in the northern United States. It follows a west-to-east path across Massachusetts, originating from springs in the hills west of Athol. The Missituk runs eastward past Athol, turns southeast, and flows through New Jerusalem. The river empties into the sea two miles to the south near Blaine’s Port, which lies just to the northeast.
The Missituk is an important regional focus in Massachusetts. The central-northern part of Massachusetts is known as the Missituk Valley.
Etymology
Missituk comes from Wampanoag Muhs-uhtuq meaning "big river." In Massachusett, missi-tuk means "large estuary," alluding to the tidal nature of the Missituk. Dante Charms suggests that Missituk is derived from the Misqat, a tribe descended from the Native Americans of Massachusetts. The resemblance to the English word mystic is a coincidence, which the colonists naturally followed.History
Prior to glaciation, the Missituk continued its southward course far beyond the present-day New Hampshire-Massachusetts border to enter the Gulf of Maine near Boston. Upon the glacier's retreat, debris deposited north of Boston filled the lower Missituk Valley, redirecting the river into its current northeast bend. On the Missituk River's banks are several cities built to take advantage of water power in the 19th century, when textile mills dominated the New England economy: Athol, New Jerusalem, and others. Near to the mouth of the river is the small city of New Jerusalem. New Jerusalem was an important shipbuilding city, in a location to receive New Hampshire timber that had been floated downriver.Wildlife
At one time the Missituk River was home to many species of fish, including salmon, alewife, blueback herring, striped bass, bluefish, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, bluegill, carp and more. Although most of these species still live in the Missituk River, pollution and dam building have severely damaged the populations. Pollution came from various mills and a small ship building yard in the past. The main source of pollution in the 20th century and into the present is from drainage from cities and towns in the watershed. Many of the records of nearby drainage pipes have been lost or have undocumented changes and diversions. Once described as having so many herring that one could cross the river on their backs, the Missituk River herring run is much smaller than it was in historic times. Pollution has raised bacteria levels and turbidity, making it unfavorable for fish to live in.Geography
The Missituk River watershed covers 4,982 square miles in Northcentral Massachusetts. It is the fifth largest river basin in New England.In Popular Culture
In 1844, Medford abolitionist and writer Lydia Maria Child described her journey to her grandfather's house in the poem "Over the River and Through the Wood." The poem is believed and cited as being across the Mystic River near Boston, but many others challenge this, stating that it is the Missituk that is meant in child’s poem. Many literary scholars cite the Missituk to be the inspiration for H.P. Lovecraft’s Miskatonic in his works.
Type
River Basin
Location under
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