Pemigewasset River

river, New Hampshire, United States

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

The Pemigewasset River originates in Franconia Notch in New Hampshire's White Mountains. It flows southward for approximately 70 miles before merging with the Winnipesaukee River to form the Merrimack River. The Merrimack River then continues its journey south into Massachusetts before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. Historically, the Merrimack River's waterpower was crucial for textile and hosiery production in New England. Today, the river valley remains a significant route for tourism, particularly for those traveling to the vacation destinations in the White Mountains.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Franconia Notch
The Pemigewasset River rises in the Notch and follows the pass, from which it flows southward for about 70 miles (113 km) to join the Winnipesaukee River and form the Merrimack. The area, made a state park in 1928, is traversed by the Appalachian National Scenic…
Read More
The Pemigewasset River rises in the Notch and follows the pass, from which it flows southward for about 70 miles (113 km) to join the Winnipesaukee River and form the Merrimack. The area, made a state park in 1928, is traversed by the Appalachian National Scenic…
Read More