The New Student's Reference Work/Susquehanna River

Sus′quehan′na River is formed by two branches. The north branch, 350 miles long, rises in Schuyler Lake in central New York; the west branch, 250 miles long, in the Alleghany Mountains. The two unite at Northumberland, Pa., and the river flows south to Harrisburg, southeast into Maryland and, after a further course of 150 miles, into the northern end of Chesapeake Bay. It is a shallow stream, much broken by rapids. In the spring immense quantities of lumber are floated down. Canals have been dug along its banks for 125 miles along the northern branch, and for 124 miles along the western branch. Its lower course is noted for ducks and other wild-fowl. Its chief branch is the Juniata. The Susquehanna is also noted for its wild and picturesque scenery.