TheAnnisquam River is a tidal, salt-waterestuary in theAnnisquam neighborhood ofGloucester, Massachusetts, connecting Annisquam Harbor on the north toGloucester Harbor on the south. The segment between Gloucester Harbor and theNewburyport/Rockport Line bridge is also known as theBlynman Canal.
The estuary is about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) long, navigable, and open to the ocean at both ends. Its surface area is 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2). The name "Annisquam" comes from anAlgonquian term meaning "top of the rock, containing<wanashque>, "on top of", and<-ompsk>, "rock".[1] The first European settlement in Annisquam was established in 1631. The river wasdredged by theUnited States Army Corps of Engineers in 1965 to create a channel some 8 feet (2.4 m) deep, and 60 to 200 feet (18 to 61 m) wide.Annisquam Harbor Light stands on the east, Cape Ann, side of the north entrance to the river.
There are only three fixed crossings of the river:Massachusetts Route 128, the Rockport Branch of the MBTA Newburyport/Rockport Line, and Western Avenue (Massachusetts Route 127).
There are strong tidal currents in the river, and unusually the current flows in opposite directions at the two ends.[2]
42°39′18″N70°41′8″W / 42.65500°N 70.68556°W /42.65500; -70.68556