Batten Kill
Encyclopedia
The Batten Kill, or Battenkill, or the Battenkill River, is a 59.4 miles (95.6 km) river rising in Vermont
that flows into New York
and is a tributary of the Hudson River
.
The mouth of the Batten Kill is in Easton, New York
, and the source of the river is in East Dorset, Vermont.
The river is known for its fishing, as it has a prominent trout
population. The Shushan Covered Bridge
crosses it at one point, and the headquarters of the Orvis
Corporation are also located along its course.
The Battenkill valley is home to the Tour of the Battenkill, the largest road cycling race in North America.
The Native American name for the river is either Dionoondehowee or Ondawa.
and Salem
, turning north at the hamlet of Shushan
.Turning west again at Greenwich Junction, the river becomes the boundary between Jackson and the town of Greenwich
, passing the hamlets of East Greenwich, Battenville and Center Falls before reaching the village of Greenwich
. The Batten Kill continues as the boundary between Greenwich and the town of Easton
, past the hamlet of Middle Falls and ends at the Hudson River
, at a point one mile (1.6 km) north of Schuylerville
.
From source to mouth following the major windings, the river measures 59.4 miles (95.6 km). The length of the river in Vermont is approximately 28 miles (45.1 km).
The Vermont portion of the Batten Kill watershed is mountainous, steep and heavily forested. The tributaries are, for the most part, wooded, steep and narrow. National Forest Service land in this watershed is almost 44000 acres (178.1 km²). The average yearly rainfall over the entire basin area is 42.9 inches (1,089.7 mm). The following river and tributary descriptions for the Vermont portion of the basin were taken in part from the United States Geological Survey
publication Surface Waters of Vermont.
Mad Tom Brook rises on the southern slope of Mount Tabor in the northwestern part of the town of Peru
at an altitude of 2900 feet (883.9 m) above sea level. It flows southward and south-westward to East Dorset where it joins the beginning of the Batten Kill from the north. Its length is about 5.5 miles (8.9 km), and its fall is about 2100 feet (640.1 m).
The West Branch rises on the northern slope of Bear Mountain in the southeastern part of the town of Rupert
at an altitude of about 2500 feet (762 m) above sea level. It flows eastward about 2 miles (3.2 km), then turns and flows southeastward to near Manchester Center
. The West Branch has a length of about 9 miles (14.5 km) and a fall of 1800 feet (548.6 m), of which 1600 feet (487.7 m) occurs in the first 2 miles (3.2 km).
Bourn Brook rises in Bourn Pond in the northeastern part of the town of Sunderland
at an altitude of 2500 feet (762 m) above sea level. It flows somewhat east of north for about 2 miles (3.2 km) and then takes a northwesterly course to its junction with the Batten Kill half a mile south of Manchester Center. Its length is about 6 miles (9.7 km) and fall about 1800 feet (548.6 m) of which 1300 feet (396.2 m) of drop occurs within 1.5 miles (2.4 km) in the middle of its course.
Lye Brook rises in Lye Brook Meadows in the northeastern part of Sunderland at an elevation of 2640 feet (804.7 m) above sea level. It flows in a northerly direction about 5 miles (8 km), then turns abruptly and flows southwestward to its junction with the Batten Kill. Its length is 6.2 miles (10 km), and its fall is 1900 feet (579.1 m), of which 1800 feet (548.6 m) occurs in the northward flowing stretch.
Mill Brook rises near the center of Sunderland at an altitude of 2550 feet (777.2 m) above sea level and flows southwestward, westward and northwestward to its junction with the Batten Kill at Sunderland. Its length is approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km) and its fall about 1920 feet (585.2 m), of which 1600 feet (487.7 m) occurs within 2.5 miles (4 km) of the head of the stream.
s, three of which are still in use today: West Arlington Bridge, VT (1852), Eagleville Bridge, NY (1858), Shushan Covered Bridge, NY (1858-1962) and Rexleigh Covered Bridge, NY (1874). The Shushan Covered Bridge is now a seasonal museum.
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...
that flows into New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and is a tributary of the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
.
The mouth of the Batten Kill is in Easton, New York
Easton, New York
Easton is a town in southwestern Washington County, New York, United States along the county's western boundary. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town population was 2,259 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Easton, Connecticut...
, and the source of the river is in East Dorset, Vermont.
The river is known for its fishing, as it has a prominent trout
Trout
Trout is the name for a number of species of freshwater and saltwater fish belonging to the Salmoninae subfamily of the family Salmonidae. Salmon belong to the same family as trout. Most salmon species spend almost all their lives in salt water...
population. The Shushan Covered Bridge
Shushan Bridge
Shushan Bridge is a covered bridge over the Batten Kill in the hamlet of Shushan in Washington County, New York, near Vermont. It is one of 29 surviving historic covered bridges in New York State, and one of 4 surviving in Washington County....
crosses it at one point, and the headquarters of the Orvis
Orvis
Orvis is a family-owned retail and mail-order business specializing in high-end fly fishing, hunting and sporting goods. Founded in Manchester, Vermont in 1856 by Charles F. Orvis to sell fishing tackle, the company has changed hands only twice and has had only five CEOs in its 150-year history...
Corporation are also located along its course.
The Battenkill valley is home to the Tour of the Battenkill, the largest road cycling race in North America.
The Native American name for the river is either Dionoondehowee or Ondawa.
Course
The Batten Kill rises in East Dorset, Vermont, and flows south with Mad Tom Brook soon joining it from the southern slope of Mount Tabor. It flows in a southwesterly direction to Arlington and then in a westerly direction, entering New York. The river continues west, forming the boundary between the towns of JacksonJackson, New York
Jackson is a town in southeastern Washington County, New York, United States. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town population was 1,718 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Andrew Jackson.- History :...
and Salem
Salem (town), New York
Salem is a town in eastern Washington County, New York. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town population was 2,702 at the 2000 census. The town of Salem contains a village also named Salem.- History :...
, turning north at the hamlet of Shushan
Shushan, New York
Shushan is a hamlet in the town of Salem in Washington County, New York, United States. It is in the eastern region of the state, located four miles west of the Vermont border. Its ZIP code is 12873....
.Turning west again at Greenwich Junction, the river becomes the boundary between Jackson and the town of Greenwich
Greenwich (town), New York
Greenwich is a town in the southwest part of Washington County, New York, United States. The town is located on the west border of the county. The population was 4,896 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, passing the hamlets of East Greenwich, Battenville and Center Falls before reaching the village of Greenwich
Greenwich (village), New York
Greenwich is a village in Washington County, New York, United States. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The village population was 1,902 at the 2000 census. Locals pronounce the name as it appears, in contrast to Greenwich , England...
. The Batten Kill continues as the boundary between Greenwich and the town of Easton
Easton, New York
Easton is a town in southwestern Washington County, New York, United States along the county's western boundary. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town population was 2,259 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Easton, Connecticut...
, past the hamlet of Middle Falls and ends at the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
, at a point one mile (1.6 km) north of Schuylerville
Schuylerville, New York
Schuylerville is a village in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 1,197 at the 2000 census. The village is named after the Schuyler family....
.
From source to mouth following the major windings, the river measures 59.4 miles (95.6 km). The length of the river in Vermont is approximately 28 miles (45.1 km).
Watershed
The Vermont portion of the Batten Kill watershed drains much of the northern portion of Bennington County and includes an area of approximately 200 square miles (518 km²). The New York portion of the watershed covers 207 square miles (536.1 km²).The Vermont portion of the Batten Kill watershed is mountainous, steep and heavily forested. The tributaries are, for the most part, wooded, steep and narrow. National Forest Service land in this watershed is almost 44000 acres (178.1 km²). The average yearly rainfall over the entire basin area is 42.9 inches (1,089.7 mm). The following river and tributary descriptions for the Vermont portion of the basin were taken in part from the United States Geological Survey
United States Geological Survey
The United States Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology,...
publication Surface Waters of Vermont.
Mad Tom Brook rises on the southern slope of Mount Tabor in the northwestern part of the town of Peru
Peru, Vermont
Peru is a town in Bennington County, Vermont, United States. The population was 416 at the 2000 census. Originally known as Bromley, the town name was changed to Peru by the land grantees as a way of attracting land buyers to an area that had been described as of "trees and...
at an altitude of 2900 feet (883.9 m) above sea level. It flows southward and south-westward to East Dorset where it joins the beginning of the Batten Kill from the north. Its length is about 5.5 miles (8.9 km), and its fall is about 2100 feet (640.1 m).
The West Branch rises on the northern slope of Bear Mountain in the southeastern part of the town of Rupert
Rupert, Vermont
Rupert is a town in Bennington County, Vermont, United States. The population was 704 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 44.6 square miles , of which 44.6 square miles is land and 0.02% is water.-History:Many...
at an altitude of about 2500 feet (762 m) above sea level. It flows eastward about 2 miles (3.2 km), then turns and flows southeastward to near Manchester Center
Manchester Center, Vermont
Manchester Center is a census-designated place in the town of Manchester in Bennington County, Vermont.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 11.8 km²...
. The West Branch has a length of about 9 miles (14.5 km) and a fall of 1800 feet (548.6 m), of which 1600 feet (487.7 m) occurs in the first 2 miles (3.2 km).
Bourn Brook rises in Bourn Pond in the northeastern part of the town of Sunderland
Sunderland, Vermont
Sunderland is a town in Bennington County, Vermont, United States. The population was 850 at the 2000 census. It is home to the mail-order company Orvis.-Geography:...
at an altitude of 2500 feet (762 m) above sea level. It flows somewhat east of north for about 2 miles (3.2 km) and then takes a northwesterly course to its junction with the Batten Kill half a mile south of Manchester Center. Its length is about 6 miles (9.7 km) and fall about 1800 feet (548.6 m) of which 1300 feet (396.2 m) of drop occurs within 1.5 miles (2.4 km) in the middle of its course.
Lye Brook rises in Lye Brook Meadows in the northeastern part of Sunderland at an elevation of 2640 feet (804.7 m) above sea level. It flows in a northerly direction about 5 miles (8 km), then turns abruptly and flows southwestward to its junction with the Batten Kill. Its length is 6.2 miles (10 km), and its fall is 1900 feet (579.1 m), of which 1800 feet (548.6 m) occurs in the northward flowing stretch.
Mill Brook rises near the center of Sunderland at an altitude of 2550 feet (777.2 m) above sea level and flows southwestward, westward and northwestward to its junction with the Batten Kill at Sunderland. Its length is approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km) and its fall about 1920 feet (585.2 m), of which 1600 feet (487.7 m) occurs within 2.5 miles (4 km) of the head of the stream.
Covered bridges
The Batten Kill is home to four covered bridgeCovered bridge
A covered bridge is a bridge with enclosed sides and a roof, often accommodating only a single lane of traffic. Most covered bridges are wooden; some newer ones are concrete or metal with glass sides...
s, three of which are still in use today: West Arlington Bridge, VT (1852), Eagleville Bridge, NY (1858), Shushan Covered Bridge, NY (1858-1962) and Rexleigh Covered Bridge, NY (1874). The Shushan Covered Bridge is now a seasonal museum.
Battle of Saratoga
The Batten Kill was supposed to be a fallback point for the British General Burgoyne's forces, but was never used and thus did not play a significant role in the battle.External links
- Fly fishing the Battenkill River, at FlyfishingConnection
- Batten Kill River — Trout Fishing Profile, at GORP
- The Batten Kill Watershed Alliance