Aerial imagery: USGS National Map (public domain)
Branch Brook — Streams 9.5 Miles NNW of Chapman Inn
Oxford County, Maine · USGS Puzzle Mountain Quadrangle · GNIS 562887
9.5 miles north-northwest of Chapman Inn, on the USGS Puzzle Mountain topographic quadrangle, Branch Brook is a stream recorded in Oxford County, Maine by the federal Geographic Names Information System.
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
The USGS Puzzle Mountain 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle places Branch Brook in Oxford County, Maine (FIPS 23/017), classified as a stream in the federal GNIS (Feature ID 562887). Catalogued in GNIS since 09/30/1980.
Coordinates & physical setting
Branch Brook sits at 44.53895° N, 70.83091° W (DMS 44°32′20″ N, 70°49′51″ W).
As a linear feature its source lies near 44.58222° N, 70.83000° W (DMS 44°34′56″ N, 70°49′48″ W) — useful for anglers and paddlers tracing the upstream end.
Other streams in Oxford County, Maine
Oxford County, ME contains 296 streams catalogued in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, counting Branch Brook itself. The ones closest to Branch Brook:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Great Brook | Puzzle Mountain | 1.2 mi |
| Chase Hill Brook | Puzzle Mountain | 1.4 mi |
| Wight Brook | Puzzle Mountain | 2.9 mi |
| Simons Brook | Bethel | 3.2 mi |
| Eames Brook | Gilead | 4 mi |
| Paine Brook | Old Speck Mountain | 4 mi |
| Morse Brook | Old Speck Mountain | 4.2 mi |
| Bear River | Bethel | 4.3 mi |
| Stony Brook | Bethel | 4.3 mi |
| Sargent Brook | Old Speck Mountain | 4.5 mi |
Features on the USGS Puzzle Mountain Quadrangle
The Puzzle Mountain 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 15 catalogued natural features alongside Branch Brook. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 1.2 mi |
| Chase Hill Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 1.4 mi |
| Bald Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1.7 mi |
| Puzzle Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 2.2 mi |
| Wight Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 2.9 mi |
| Dresser Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 3.2 mi |
| Little Puzzle Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 3.3 mi |
| Jims Pond | Lakes | Oxford County, ME | 3.4 mi |
| Long Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 3.7 mi |
| Plumbago Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 3.8 mi |
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
Chapman Inn sits 9.5 miles north-northwest (bearing NNW) of Branch Brook. At moderate back-road speeds the drive runs about 16 minutes — comfortably inside a half-day outing window after breakfast.
Best time to visit
Best observed in late spring and early summer when flow is strong and banks are visible. At this latitude (44.539°), the shoulder seasons are workable — April and November can be comfortable on mild years. The 9.5-mile drive from Chapman Inn makes it practical for a half-day outing — you can check conditions in the morning and still turn back if the weather closes in. Conditions at Branch Brook track the nearby Great Brook stream (1.2 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to Branch Brook
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 1.2 mi |
| Chase Hill Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 1.4 mi |
| Bald Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1.7 mi |
| Puzzle Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 2.2 mi |
| Stowe Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 2.3 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Branch Brook located?
Branch Brook is in Oxford County, Maine, approximately 9.5 miles north-northwest of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Puzzle Mountain topographic quadrangle.
How far is Branch Brook from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 16 minutes, 9.5 miles north-northwest (bearing NNW) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is Branch Brook?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies Branch Brook as a stream, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 562887 on the Puzzle Mountain quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit Branch Brook?
Best observed in late spring and early summer when flow is strong and banks are visible.
How many other streams are in Oxford County, Maine?
GNIS lists 295 other streams in Oxford County, Maine.