

TheWest River is atributary of theConnecticut River, about 53.8 miles (86.6 km) long,[1] in southernVermont in theUnited States.[2] According to theGeographic Names Information System, it has also been known historically as "Wantastiquet" and as "Waters of the Lonely Way".[3] Its watershed covers 423 square miles (1,100 km2); land use is about 90% forested and 3% agricultural, and the upper river supports wild nativebrook and wildbrown trout.
The West River rises in theGreen Mountains[2] in the town ofMount Holly in southeasternRutland County and flows southwardly through southwesternWindsor County intoWindham County, where it turns southeastwardly. Along its course it flows through or along the boundaries of the towns ofWeston,Londonderry,Jamaica,Townshend,Brookline,Newfane (where it collects theRock River), andDummerston toBrattleboro, where it flows into the Connecticut River.[4]

U.S. Army Corps of Engineersdams on the West cause the river to form Ball Mountain Lake and Townshend Lake, both of which were built for the purpose offlood control in 1961.[5][6] The river betweenBall Mountain Lake andTownshend Lake is used forwhite water boating during releases from theBall Mountain Dam (usually occurring during one weekend in April and one weekend in September).[7][8]
43°20′00″N72°47′17″W / 43.3332185°N 72.7881521°W /43.3332185; -72.7881521