Broad river winding through a forested northern landscape

Ecology · Rivers

Androscoggin River

A river connecting the western Maine landscape with mill communities, major tributaries, Great Falls, Merrymeeting Bay, and a long record of environmental change.

River overview

From the western highlands to Merrymeeting Bay

The Androscoggin rises in the northwestern corner of Maine, enters New Hampshire at Errol, and returns to Maine at the Oxford County town of Gilead.

From there, the river follows a winding route through western and central Maine. It turns north near Bethel, continues toward Hanover, Rumford, and Mexico, then bends south toward Livermore Falls, Lewiston, and Auburn.

A connected watershedThe river eventually meets the Kennebec River in Merrymeeting Bay. Their combined waters continue toward the coast near Phippsburg.

Communities along the route

The lower river continues through Livermore, Livermore Falls, Auburn, Lewiston, Lisbon, and Durham before passing Brunswick and Topsham near Merrymeeting Bay.

Tributaries

The Little Androscoggin is the river’s largest tributary. It flows from Bryant Pond through Oxford County, including Norway and South Paris, before joining the main river at Auburn.

Other tributaries include the Nezinscot River at Turner, the Webb River at Dixfield Village, and the Ellis and Swift rivers near Rumford.

Name and meaning

“Androscoggin” appears historically in several forms and spellings. It has been interpreted as meaning “place for preparing or curing fish,” probably in reference to the falls at Lewiston.

River landscapes

A waterway shaped by terrain

Forested reaches, fast water, falls, and broad lower sections give the Androscoggin distinct characters along its course.

River passing through a dense northern forest — Forested watersheds frame much of the river’s upper course.

Rocky rapids moving through a wooded channel — Rapids and falls helped shape settlement and industry.

Calm river water reflecting trees and sky — The lower watershed leads toward the complex waters of Merrymeeting Bay.

River and community

Power, passage, and recovery

The Androscoggin’s story combines industrial use, ecological pressure, fish movement, and significant improvements in water quality.

Industrial power

Major communities along the river used its flow to support mills, factories, and electric-generating facilities.

Fish passage

Fishways in the lower river reflect efforts to help migratory fish move around barriers and through developed reaches.

Water quality

Once severely polluted by industrial activity, the Androscoggin has experienced marked improvements in water quality over recent decades.

Selected references

These works provide additional historical context for industry, pollution control, communities, and lumbering in the river valley.

Lawrance, Walter A. Androscoggin River Pulp and Paper Industry and Pollution Abatement, 1942–1977: Final Report of the Androscoggin River Technical Committee. Lewiston: The Committee, 1978.
Sargent, David A. Remembering Lewiston-Auburn on the Mighty Androscoggin: River Views. Charleston: History Press, 2010.
Wight, D. B. The Androscoggin River Valley, Gateway to the White Mountains. Rutland: C. E. Tuttle Co., 1967.
Wood, Richard G. A History of Lumbering in Maine: 1820–1861. See page 13.

FAQ

Understanding the Androscoggin

Concise answers about the river’s route, watershed, tributaries, name, and environmental history.

Where does the Androscoggin River begin?

It rises in northwestern Maine, crosses into New Hampshire near Errol, and re-enters Maine at Gilead.

Where does the river end?

The Androscoggin joins the Kennebec River at Merrymeeting Bay before the connected waters continue toward the coast.

Which communities lie along the river?

Its Maine route includes Gilead, Bethel, Hanover, Rumford, Mexico, Livermore Falls, Auburn, Lewiston, Lisbon, Durham, Brunswick, and Topsham.

What is its largest tributary?

The Little Androscoggin River is the largest tributary and joins the main river at Auburn.

How long is the river?

The Androscoggin is 174 miles long and drains approximately 3,430 square miles.

Why was the river important to industry?

Its current and falls supplied power for mills, factories, and electrical generation in communities along the route.

Has its water quality improved?

Yes. Although the river was once severely polluted, its water quality has improved markedly over recent decades.