Despite being one of the more densely populated states in the country, Massachusetts is home to many rivers that are rich in biological diversity, recreational opportunities, and historical resources. Many rivers in the state were dammed for industrial uses, flood control, and to provide water supply for a growing population, but in the last half century or so, restoration efforts throughout the state have returned many of the rivers to their natural, free-flowing conditions.
The Deerfield River, so wonderfully shown above, is on the Nationwide Rivers Inventory as being a possible wild & scenic river.
Massachusetts has approximately 8,229 miles of river, of which 147.1 miles are designated as wild and scenic—less than 2% of the state's river miles.
