EXETER RIVER WATERSHED
The Exeter River rises from a group of spring-fed ponds in
Chester, New Hampshire and
flows 33 miles to downtown Exeter
where it changes its name to the
Squamscott River, and becomes a tidal
river and a primary tributary to Great
Bay.The river often meanders, frequently
doubling back on itself, and passes
through several short stretches of
rapids in Brentwood before falling
over the dam in Exeter.
The Exeter River watershed covers
an area of approximately 67,700 acres
in Rockingham County.The watershed
includes sizeable portions of ten
municipalities, including Chester,
Sandown, Danville, Fremont, Raymond,
Brentwood, East Kingston, Kingston,
Kensington, and Exeter.
WHAT IS A WATERSHED?
A watershed consists of the land area
that contributes water to a body of
water or watercourse. All of the water
that falls into a watershed runs to the
lowest point – a stream, river, or lake.
On its way, water travels over the
surface and across forestland, fields,
farms, lawns and streets,
or it seeps into the soil
and travels as groundwater.
The Exeter
River watershed
features a number
of tributary streams,
all contributing to
the river’s water
quality and quantity.
WATERSHED FACTS
Watershed Area – 67,700 acres (fresh water portion)
River Length – 33 miles
Drainage Basin – 126 square miles
Highest Elevation – 649 feet (Raymond)
Land Use
Forested Land – 67%
Developed Land – 16%
Farmland – 6%
Water and Barren Land – 6%
Wetlands – 3%
Projected Population
2020: 331,181
Rockingham County
U.S. Census Population
1960: 98, 065
1980: 190,345
2000: 277, 359