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South Branch Gale River — Streams 43.4 Miles WSW of Chapman Inn
Grafton County, New Hampshire · USGS Franconia Quadrangle · GNIS 872694
43.4 miles west-southwest of Chapman Inn, on the USGS Franconia topographic quadrangle, South Branch Gale River is a stream recorded in Grafton County, New Hampshire by the federal Geographic Names Information System.
Wikidata short description: “river in the United States of America”
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
The USGS Franconia 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle places South Branch Gale River in Grafton County, New Hampshire (FIPS 33/009), classified as a stream in the federal GNIS (Feature ID 872694). Catalogued in GNIS since 08/27/1980.
Coordinates & physical setting
South Branch Gale River sits at 44.24367° N, 71.63814° W (DMS 44°14′37″ N, 71°38′17″ W).
As a linear feature its source lies near 44.17583° N, 71.64889° W (DMS 44°10′33″ N, 71°38′56″ W) — useful for anglers and paddlers tracing the upstream end.
Other streams in Grafton County, New Hampshire
Grafton County, NH contains 89 streams catalogued in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, counting South Branch Gale River itself. The ones closest to South Branch Gale River:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| North Branch Gale River | Franconia | 0 mi |
| Beaver Brook | Franconia | 0.7 mi |
| Scarface Brook | Franconia | 0.7 mi |
| Thompson Brook | Franconia | 1.5 mi |
| Spruce Brook | Franconia | 1.9 mi |
| Burnt Brook | Franconia | 2.6 mi |
| Black Brook | Bethlehem | 3.1 mi |
| Haystack Brook | Twin Mountain | 3.4 mi |
| Wiseman Brook | Franconia | 4.1 mi |
| Jordan Brook | Franconia | 4.4 mi |
Features on the USGS Franconia Quadrangle
The Franconia 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 39 catalogued natural features alongside South Branch Gale River. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Branch Gale River | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 0 mi |
| Abbot Hill | Summits | Grafton County, NH | 0.6 mi |
| Beaver Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 0.7 mi |
| Scarface Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 0.7 mi |
| Priest Hill | Summits | Grafton County, NH | 1.3 mi |
| Thompson Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 1.5 mi |
| Spruce Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 1.9 mi |
| Bethlehem Reservoir | Reservoirs | Grafton County, NH | 2 mi |
| Burnt Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 2.6 mi |
| Scarface Mountain | Summits | Grafton County, NH | 2.9 mi |
Historical record
The South Branch of the Gale River is a 5.1-mile-long (8.2 km) river in the White Mountains of New Hampshire in the United States. Via the Gale River, it is a tributary of the Ammonoosuc River and part of the Connecticut River watershed. Extended history on Wikipedia →
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
Chapman Inn sits 43.4 miles west-southwest (bearing WSW) of South Branch Gale River. At moderate back-road speeds the drive runs about 74 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 (44.244°), the shoulder seasons are workable — April and November can be comfortable on mild years. At 43.4 miles from the Inn, block the full day — sunrise start, late return, packed meals. Conditions at South Branch Gale River track the nearby North Branch Gale River stream (essentially adjacent) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to South Branch Gale River
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Branch Gale River | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 0 mi |
| Abbot Hill | Summits | Grafton County, NH | 0.6 mi |
| Beaver Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 0.7 mi |
| Scarface Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 0.7 mi |
| Littleton Reservoir | Reservoirs | Grafton County, NH | 1 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is South Branch Gale River located?
South Branch Gale River is in Grafton County, New Hampshire, approximately 43.4 miles west-southwest of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Franconia topographic quadrangle.
How far is South Branch Gale River from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 74 minutes, 43.4 miles west-southwest (bearing WSW) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is South Branch Gale River?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies South Branch Gale River as a stream, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 872694 on the Franconia quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit South Branch Gale River?
Best observed in late spring and early summer when flow is strong and banks are visible.
How many other streams are in Grafton County, New Hampshire?
GNIS lists 88 other streams in Grafton County, New Hampshire.
Wikidata: Q7566369.