About the White River Watershed

Size and Significance

The White River watershed drains 710 square miles and covers all or part of 21 towns throughout five counties in central Vermont, including 50,000 acres of the Green Mountain National Forest. Five major tributaries feed the main stem of the White River and create its sub-watersheds: the First Branch, the Middle Branch (also called the Second Branch), the Third Branch, the West Branch, and the Tweed River.

The White River is significant for being one of the last free-flowing rivers in the State of Vermont. From its headwaters in the Green Mountains north of Granville, it travels 56 miles through diverse landscapes and picturesque villages to its confluence with the Connecticut River in downtown White River Junction. As the longest un-dammed tributary to the Connecticut River, which is an American Heritage River, the White River is very important to the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program – a federal program aimed at revitalizing Atlantic salmon populations. The White River watershed is also a designated Special Focus Area of the US Fish & Wildlife Service Silvio O. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge because the watershed provides nursery and rearing habitat for juvenile Atlantic salmon and potential spawning habitat for adults.

Land Use

Land ownership in the watershed is 84% private, 5% municipal and State, and 11% National Forest. 7% of the White River watershed is devoted to farming. The remaining land is 84% forested and 9% developed. A combination of forest, agricultural fields, farms, and historic towns make the watershed one of the most picturesque in New England.

In addition to its natural beauty and ecological integrity, the White River watershed is also of great economic importance to the region. Agriculture is a vital component of the economic, cultural, and environmental make-up of the watershed with 356 active farms in the community, from dairy and horse farms to organic vegetable farms and hay pastures. The White River watershed is also a popular outdoor destination for locals and tourists alike, providing many recreational opportunities, including swimming, fishing, paddling, tubing, hiking, bird watching, and hunting.