Aerial imagery: USGS National Map (public domain)
South Branch Stearns Brook — Streams 18.0 Miles WNW of Chapman Inn
Coos County, New Hampshire · USGS Success Pond Quadrangle · GNIS 872697
18.0 miles west-northwest of Chapman Inn, on the USGS Success Pond topographic quadrangle, South Branch Stearns Brook is a stream recorded in Coos County, New Hampshire by the federal Geographic Names Information System.
Wikidata short description: “stream in Coös County, New Hampshire, United States of America”
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
The USGS Success Pond 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle places South Branch Stearns Brook in Coos County, New Hampshire (FIPS 33/007), classified as a stream in the federal GNIS (Feature ID 872697). Last revised by the Board on Geographic Names on 01/03/2011.
Coordinates & physical setting
South Branch Stearns Brook sits at 44.53298° N, 71.10697° W (DMS 44°31′59″ N, 71°06′25″ W).
As a linear feature its source lies near 44.48578° N, 71.03301° W (DMS 44°29′09″ N, 71°01′59″ W) — useful for anglers and paddlers tracing the upstream end.
Other streams in Coos County, New Hampshire
Coos County, NH contains 300 streams catalogued in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, counting South Branch Stearns Brook itself. The ones closest to South Branch Stearns Brook:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| North Branch Stearns Brook | Success Pond | 0 mi |
| Alder Brook | Success Pond | 0.3 mi |
| Red Brook | Shelburne | 2.5 mi |
| Horne Brook | Milan | 2.9 mi |
| North Branch Horne Brook | Shelburne | 3.2 mi |
| South Branch Horne Brook | Shelburne | 3.2 mi |
| Stearns Brook | Milan | 3.3 mi |
| Leavitt Stream | Milan | 4.2 mi |
| Bean Brook | Berlin | 4.3 mi |
| Blackstrap Brook | Success Pond | 4.5 mi |
Features on the USGS Success Pond Quadrangle
The Success Pond 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 11 catalogued natural features alongside South Branch Stearns Brook. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Branch Stearns Brook | Streams | Coos County, NH | 0 mi |
| Alder Brook | Streams | Coos County, NH | 0.3 mi |
| Shelter Brook | Streams | Oxford County, NH | 3.6 mi |
| Success Hill | Summits | Coos County, NH | 3.6 mi |
| Chickwolnepy Mountain | Summits | Coos County, NH | 3.9 mi |
| Sucker Brook | Streams | Oxford County, NH | 4.2 mi |
| Success Pond | Lakes | Coos County, NH | 4.2 mi |
| Silver Stream | Streams | Oxford County, NH | 4.5 mi |
| Blackstrap Brook | Streams | Coos County, NH | 4.5 mi |
| Bald Mountain | Summits | Coos County, NH | 5 mi |
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
Chapman Inn sits 18.0 miles west-northwest (bearing WNW) of South Branch Stearns Brook. At moderate back-road speeds the drive runs about 31 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. Being this far north (lat 44.533°), first snows typically arrive by mid-October and linger into early May — narrow the window accordingly. At 18.0 miles from the Inn, plan on a comfortable day trip with time for lunch on the road. Conditions at South Branch Stearns Brook track the nearby North Branch Stearns Brook stream (essentially adjacent) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to South Branch Stearns Brook
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Branch Stearns Brook | Streams | Coos County, NH | 0 mi |
| Alder Brook | Streams | Coos County, NH | 0.3 mi |
| Oak Hill | Summits | Coos County, NH | 2.5 mi |
| Red Brook | Streams | Coos County, NH | 2.5 mi |
| Horne Brook | Streams | Coos County, NH | 2.9 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is South Branch Stearns Brook located?
South Branch Stearns Brook is in Coos County, New Hampshire, approximately 18.0 miles west-northwest of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Success Pond topographic quadrangle.
How far is South Branch Stearns Brook from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 31 minutes, 18.0 miles west-northwest (bearing WNW) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is South Branch Stearns Brook?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies South Branch Stearns Brook as a stream, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 872697 on the Success Pond quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit South Branch Stearns Brook?
Best observed in late spring and early summer when flow is strong and banks are visible.
How many other streams are in Coos County, New Hampshire?
GNIS lists 299 other streams in Coos County, New Hampshire.
Wikidata: Q35310838.