TOTAL RIVER DISCHARGE
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the reporting a streamflow rate of cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Sudbury River, with a gauge stage of ft at this location. This river is monitored from 1 different streamgauging stations along the Sudbury River, the highest being situated at an altitude of ft, the .
The Sudbury River is a 32-mile-long river in Eastern Massachusetts that flows from its headwaters in Westborough through Sudbury, Wayland, and Concord before joining the Assabet River in Concord to form the Concord River. The river has a rich history, having been used by Native American tribes for fishing and hunting, and later by European settlers for agricultural purposes.
Several reservoirs and dams along the Sudbury River, including the Heard Pond Dam and the Moody Street Dam, have been installed over the years to control flooding and provide water for local communities. However, these structures have also had negative impacts on the river's ecology and have led to the degradation of its natural habitats.
Despite these challenges, the Sudbury River remains an important recreational resource for local communities, with activities such as fishing, canoeing, and hiking being popular among visitors. Additionally, a number of farms and agricultural operations rely on the river for irrigation and other purposes.
YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)
Streamflow Conditions
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sudbury River At Saxonville
USGS 01098530 |
396 cfs | 7.6 ft | -62.44 |
History of the River
The Sudbury River is a 32.7-mile-long (52.6 km) tributary of the Concord River in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in the United States.Originating in the Cedar Swamp in Westborough, Massachusetts, near the boundary with Hopkinton, the Sudbury River meanders generally northeast, through Fairhaven Bay, and to its confluence with the Assabet River at Egg Rock in Concord, Massachusetts, to form the Concord River. It has a 162-square-mile (420 km2) drainage area. A 1775 map identifies the river by this name as passing through the town of Sudbury, itself established 1639.
On April 9, 1999, nearly 17 miles (27 km) of the river were "recognized for their outstanding ecology, history, scenery, recreation values, and place in American literature," by being designated as a part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The 14.9-mile (24.0 km) segment of the Sudbury River beginning at the Danforth Street Bridge in the town of Framingham, downstream to the Route 2 bridge in Concord, is designated as a Scenic River, and the 1.7-mile (2.7 km) segment from the Route 2 bridge downstream to its confluence with the Assabet River at Egg Rock is designated as a Recreational River, along with adjoining stretches of the Assabet and Concord rivers.Mercury contamination was discovered in the 1970s from the Nyanza plant in Ashland. The EPA subsequently listed the town as a toxic site and led a cleanup effort to repair the damage. It is still recommended that fish caught downriver not be eaten.
