Skug River | |
---|---|
![]() Skug River watershed and environs, 1893. | |
Location | |
Country | United States |
State | Massachusetts |
Counties | Essex andMiddlesex |
Physical characteristics | |
Source | |
• location | Harold Parker State Forest |
• coordinates | 42°38′06″N71°05′53″W / 42.635°N 71.098°W /42.635; -71.098 |
Mouth | |
• location | Martin's Pond,North Reading, MA |
• coordinates | 42°35′56″N71°07′26″W / 42.5988°N 71.1238°W /42.5988; -71.1238 |
Length | 4.9 mi (7.9 km) |
TheSkug River is a 4.9-mile-long (7.9 km) river[1] inNorth Andover,Andover, andNorth Reading, Massachusetts that constitutes part of theIpswich River watershed.Apopular etymology gives Skug as a misspelling ofSkunk,[2] however the name is more likely derived from theAbenakiskog, meaningsnake.[2][3]
The river arises from wetlands just south of Boston Hill in theHarold Parker State Forest, and flows mainly southwest to empty into Martin's Pond in North Reading. From there, Martin's Brook carries its waters onwards to theIpswich River.
The river was dammed over 200 years ago for a sawmill and grist mill. Although the dam has since disappeared, the large stone walls of its millrace can still be seen in theHarold Parker State Forest andAndover Village Improvement Society Skug River Reservation,[2] as can the old Jenkins Soapstone Quarry abutting the river.