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New Hampshire River Map (PDF) | Major Rivers & Lakes in New Hampshire

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 03, 2026 | 15:05 ET

New Hampshire River Map showing major rivers in New Hampshire, River start and end point, county boundaries.

River Map of New Hampshire State

Rivers and Waterways in New Hampshire

New Hampshire’s river systems flow through mountainous terrain in the north and rolling hills toward the Atlantic coast. Most rivers drain southeast into the Atlantic Ocean, while western rivers flow into the Connecticut River and eventually Long Island Sound. Snowmelt and rainfall play a key role in maintaining water levels, especially in spring. The state also has numerous lakes and reservoirs that support drinking water, recreation, and hydropower across its largely forested landscape.

Major Rivers in New Hampshire

RiverLength (Approx.)RegionFlows Into
Connecticut River410 miWestLong Island Sound
Merrimack River117 miSouthAtlantic Ocean
Androscoggin River178 miNorthKennebec River
Pemigewasset River65 miCentralMerrimack River
Saco River136 miEastAtlantic Ocean
Salmon Falls River52 miEastPiscataqua River
Contoocook River71 miCentralMerrimack River
Ammonoosuc River55 miNorthConnecticut River
Ashuelot River64 miSouthwestConnecticut River
Suncook River63 miCentralMerrimack River
Winnipesaukee River10 miCentralMerrimack River
Israel River24 miNorthConnecticut River
Cold River21 miSouthwestConnecticut River
Swift River24 miCentralSaco River
Bearcamp River34 miCentralOssipee Lake
Ossipee River40 miEastSaco River
Mascoma River31 miWestConnecticut River
Sugar River27 miWestConnecticut River

Major Lakes in New Hampshire

LakeTypeRegion
Lake WinnipesaukeeNatural lakeCentral
Squam LakeNatural lakeCentral
Newfound LakeNatural lakeCentral
Umbagog LakeNatural lakeNorth
Lake SunapeeNatural lakeWest
Ossipee LakeNatural lakeEast
Great BayNatural estuaryEast
Moore ReservoirReservoirNorth
Franklin Pierce LakeReservoirSouth
Silver LakeNatural lakeEast

Major River Basins in New Hampshire

New Hampshire’s river basins are divided between those draining into the Atlantic Ocean and those flowing west into the Connecticut River system. These basins are essential for water supply, hydropower, and maintaining natural ecosystems.

  • Connecticut River Basin
  • Merrimack River Basin
  • Saco River Basin
  • Piscataqua River Basin
  • Androscoggin River Basin
  • Contoocook River Basin
  • Ammonoosuc River Basin
  • Ashuelot River Basin
  • Ossipee River Basin

New Hampshire Rivers Facts

StateNew Hampshire
Total Rivers & Streams10,000+ miles of streams
Major RiversConnecticut, Merrimack, Saco
Total Waterway Length11,000+ miles
Main DrainageAtlantic Ocean & Long Island Sound
Longest RiverConnecticut River
Shortest RiverWinnipesaukee River
Major River Basins9 Primary Basins
Primary OutletAtlantic Ocean
Key UsesDrinking water, hydropower, recreation
Longest River Within StateMerrimack River
Number of River Basins7–10 Basins
Major ReservoirsMoore Reservoir, Franklin Pierce Lake
Primary Water SourceSurface water and lakes