Aerial imagery: USGS National Map (public domain)
South Branch Sunday River — Streams 9.8 Miles WNW of Chapman Inn
Oxford County, Maine · USGS Gilead Quadrangle · GNIS 581212
Catalogued on the USGS Gilead quadrangle in Oxford County, Maine, South Branch Sunday River — a stream — lies 9.8 miles west-northwest of Chapman Inn.
Wikidata short description: “river in the United States of America”
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
Catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 581212, South Branch Sunday River is recorded as a stream on the USGS Gilead quadrangle in Oxford County, Maine (FIPS 23/017). Catalogued in GNIS since 09/30/1980.
Coordinates & physical setting
South Branch Sunday River sits at 44.48200° N, 70.95619° W (DMS 44°28′55″ N, 70°57′22″ W).
As a linear feature its source lies near 44.45167° N, 70.95583° W (DMS 44°27′06″ N, 70°57′21″ 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 South Branch Sunday River itself. The ones closest to South Branch Sunday River:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Bull Branch | Gilead | 2.5 mi |
| Miles Notch Brook | Old Speck Mountain | 2.7 mi |
| Goose Eye Brook | Old Speck Mountain | 2.7 mi |
| Sargent Brook | Old Speck Mountain | 3.1 mi |
| Eames Brook | Gilead | 3.5 mi |
| Pond Brook | Old Speck Mountain | 4.3 mi |
| Simons Brook | Bethel | 5.2 mi |
| Whites Brook | Gilead | 5.4 mi |
| Bog Brook | Gilead | 5.7 mi |
| Wheeler Brook | Gilead | 5.7 mi |
Features on the USGS Gilead Quadrangle
The Gilead 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 31 catalogued natural features alongside South Branch Sunday River. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Locke Hill | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 0.9 mi |
| Lary Brook Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1.7 mi |
| Jakes Notch | Gaps | Oxford County, ME | 1.8 mi |
| Whites Notch | Gaps | Oxford County, ME | 2 mi |
| Jordan Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 2.3 mi |
| Bear Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 2.4 mi |
| Bull Branch | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 2.5 mi |
| Black Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 2.9 mi |
| Campbell Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 3 mi |
| Robinson Peak | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 3.2 mi |
Historical record
The South Branch Sunday River is a 2.5-mile-long (4.0 km) mountain stream in western Maine. It is a tributary of the Sunday River, which flows to the Androscoggin River and ultimately to the Kennebec River and the Atlantic Ocean. Read the full Wikipedia entry →
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
A 17-minute drive along back roads separates the front door of Chapman Inn from South Branch Sunday River — 9.8 miles west-northwest as the crow flies, on compass bearing WNW.
Best time to visit
Best observed in late spring and early summer when flow is strong and banks are visible. At this latitude (44.482°), the shoulder seasons are workable — April and November can be comfortable on mild years. The 9.8-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 South Branch Sunday River track the nearby Locke Hill summit (0.9 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to South Branch Sunday River
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Locke Hill | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 0.9 mi |
| Lary Brook Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1.7 mi |
| Jakes Notch | Gaps | Oxford County, ME | 1.8 mi |
| Whites Notch | Gaps | Oxford County, ME | 2 mi |
| Jordan Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 2.3 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is South Branch Sunday River located?
South Branch Sunday River is in Oxford County, Maine, approximately 9.8 miles west-northwest of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Gilead topographic quadrangle.
How far is South Branch Sunday River from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 17 minutes, 9.8 miles west-northwest (bearing WNW) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is South Branch Sunday River?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies South Branch Sunday River as a stream, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 581212 on the Gilead quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit South Branch Sunday River?
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.
Wikidata: Q7566393.