Amoskeag Falls, Waterfall in Manchester, United States.
Amoskeag Falls is a waterfall system in downtown Manchester, New Hampshire, where the Merrimack River drops over a roughly half-mile stretch of rocky riverbed. Walkways run along both sides of the river, giving views of the rushing water and the old canal infrastructure nearby.
The site was a central fishing ground for the Pennacook people for centuries before European settlers arrived in the 1600s. In 1807, Samuel Blodgett built a canal and lock system to let boats pass around the falls, which opened the door to industrial growth in the area.
The name Amoskeag comes from the Pennacook word Namoskeag, meaning good fishing place. Today visitors still fish along the riverbanks, continuing a practice that has been part of this spot for a very long time.
The falls are easy to reach on foot from downtown Manchester, with several entry points along the riverbank. Wearing sturdy shoes is a good idea since some paths are uneven, and the area is best visited when the weather is dry.
On an island near the upper part of the falls, Native Americans carved small cavities into the rock to store food during fishing season. These hollows are still visible in the stone and are easy to miss if you do not know to look for them.
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