Saxtons River

Its watershed covers 78 square miles (200 km2) and a range in altitude of 1,800 feet (550 m); land use is about 80% forested and 3% agricultural, and the upper river supports wild brook trout and brown trout, while Atlantic salmon occur but are usually limited to the area below Twin Falls on the lower river.

One theory put forth suggests that the name's origins lie in the myriad churches and congregations local to the river, and the corresponding number of sextons under employ of the aforementioned.

The Saxtons River rises to the east of Glebe Mountain, in the town of Windham.

[5][6] Its larger tributaries (listed from upriver to downriver) include Hinkley Brook and South Branch Saxtons River, flowing north in Grafton; Bull Creek flowing north and Weaver Brook flowing south, near Cambridgeport; Leach Brook, flowing south along Leach Rd between Cambridgeport and the village of Saxtons River; Pleasant Valley Brook, flowing south near Pleasant Valley Rd and joining the river on the west side of the village of Saxtons River; Signal Hill Brook, flowing south along Rockingham Hill Rd and Pleasant St and joining the river near Oak St; and Barnes Brook, flowing north near Westminster West Rd and joining the river behind a trailer park.

Joining the river east of the village of Saxtons River are Marks Brook, which starts near Paradise Hill northeast of the village and flows south near Hall Bridge Rd, and Bundy Brook, which flows north near Davidson Hill Rd, crosses Back Westminster Rd where it flows over a small stone dam, and joins the river near where Vermont Route 121 is crossed by Interstate 91[7][8]

Saxtons River Falls in Saxtons River Village, seen from below the Centennial Bridge (Westminster St), at fairly high flow. Part of Tenney's Mill (red building) is visible behind the bridge; it was powered by water from a dam farther upstream. The foundations of Frey's Mill, which was powered by water from these falls, are just out of the frame on the right.
Looking east down Saxtons River, just west of the village of Saxtons River.
Gages Falls on the Saxtons River with ruin of Gages Mill on the right, North Westminster, VT.
Twin Falls on the Saxtons River
Lower end of the Saxtons River, where it flows into the Connecticut River.