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44
RIVER PROFILES
Connecticut River (CT,VT,NH,MA)
The Connecticut River flows 410 miles, formingthe New Hampshire-Vermont state line, bisectingboth Massachusetts and Connecticut, and drainingan 11,260 sq. mi. watershed. The land ranges fromforests and sparsely populated rural areas in thenorthern end, including New England’s greatNorthern Forest, to suburbs and industrializedurban areas in southern Massachusetts andConnecticut. Ninety-nine cities and towns borderthe Connecticut
Blackstone-Woonasquatucket Rivers (MA,RI)
The 48-mile Blackstone River and 18-mileWoonasquatucket River flow through 26communities with more than one million peoplebefore merging into Providence Harbor andNarragansett Bay. Populated for more than 10,000years, the region evolved from pristine forest toagriculture to early industry.The lower half of thewatershed, in the Providence, RI, metropolitanarea, is now largely developed, while the upperhalf is a mix of towns and rural areas. The riversand their many mills were the catalyst for theNation’s industrial growth and development, andaccordingly, the area is known as the “birthplaceof the American Industrial Revolution.”Whileindustrialization produced economic prosperity, ittook its toll on the health of the rivers, whichsuffered from industrial pollution, migratory fishblockages, and urbanization. The diverseneighbors in this watershed are now workingclosely together to restore the rivers, their culturalheritage, and the vitality of their communities.
 
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RIVER PROFILES
Cuyahoga River (OH)
The 100-mile Cuyahoga begins in rural GeaugaCounty flows south through the city of Akronbefore turning north to Cleveland where itempties into Lake Erie. The Port of Cleveland is thethird largest port on the Great Lakes, movingcargo to and from 100 ports worldwide. The manycity, state, and national parks along the river andits tributaries include the 33,000-acre CuyahogaValley National Recreation Area and the19,000-acre Cleveland Metroparks system.Also, from Cleveland to Zoar is the Ohio and ErieCanal National Heritage Corridor.The CuyahogaRiver has been dramatically impacted byindustrial pollution and habitat loss. It is alsoinfamous for catching fire, an event whichultimately resulted in passage of the federal CleanWater Act in 1972. The AHR designation hashelped regional governments working to reducewater pollution and restore the health of thenatural resources in the Cuyahoga.
 
Detroit River (MI)
The 32-mile long Detroit River is part of the GreatLakes-St. Lawrence Seaway, which extends fromDuluth, Minnesota to Montreal, Canada. TheDetroit River serves more than 5 million peoplewith drinking water, recreation and culturalopportunities. It is one of the busiest ports in theGreat Lakes. The river is a major bird migrationcorridor, supporting more than 3 millionwaterfowl and millions of walleye migrate thereannually.Where the river empties into Lake Erie,protected wetlands support over 300 threatenedand endangered species. Entering the nextmillennium, the Greater Detroit area is projectedto be a site for sustainable renewal after decadesof declining population levels.
Hanalei River (HI)
The Hanalei River flows 16 miles from steepmountain peaks into flat lowlands on the northshore of the island of Kauai in Hawaii. Itswatershed drains 23 square miles, containingpristine wilderness, pastures, and cropland. Theriver empties into crescent-shaped Hanalei Bay,renowned for its white-sand beaches, waterfalls,and rainbows, widely considered one of the mostbeautiful places on earth. The river is among thefive largest rivers in Hawaii, and the Hanalei Bayis the third largest and most pristine in Hawaii.The river community faces unique challenges tobalance competing resource needs from increasedtourism, development, and sustainableagriculture.
“The Greater Detroit AmericanHeritage River Initiative has leveraged over $3 million in the first year to implement priority  projects….These projects are significant because they will ultimately increase public access to our river and enhance the‘quality of life’ for the residents of  southeastern Michigan.” 
Mr. Peter Stroh, Chairman of theGreater Detroit American HeritageRiver Initiative Executive Committee.
RIVER PROFILES
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