Shawsheen River

[2] The river runs generally northward through the towns of Bedford, Billerica, Wilmington, Tewksbury, Andover, and Lawrence, where it joins the Merrimack.

Like its parent, the river has played an important role in the development of the area, including industrial development, with many mills built to take advantage of the river's power.

[citation needed] In June 2001, the Merrimack River Watershed Council determined that the Shawsheen River failed to meet water quality standards.

This situation was largely attributed to stormwater runoff via town, private and state storm drain systems.

As a result of increased pollutants, major portions of the Shawsheen River are now listed as impaired waters on the 303(d) list of the Clean Water Act.