Wikipedia lead image (see Wikipedia article for licensing)
West Branch Mad River — Streams 47.5 Miles SW of Chapman Inn
Grafton County, New Hampshire · USGS Waterville Valley Quadrangle · GNIS 872892
47.5 miles southwest of Chapman Inn, on the USGS Waterville Valley topographic quadrangle, West Branch Mad River is a stream recorded in Grafton County, New Hampshire by the federal Geographic Names Information System.
Wikidata short description: “river in New Hampshire, United States”
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
The USGS Waterville Valley 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle places West Branch Mad River in Grafton County, New Hampshire (FIPS 33/009), classified as a stream in the federal GNIS (Feature ID 872892). Catalogued in GNIS since 08/27/1980.
Coordinates & physical setting
West Branch Mad River sits at 43.95507° N, 71.51258° W (DMS 43°57′18″ N, 71°30′45″ W).
As a linear feature its source lies near 43.97278° N, 71.55944° W (DMS 43°58′22″ N, 71°33′34″ 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 West Branch Mad River itself. The ones closest to West Branch Mad River:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Snows Brook | Waterville Valley | 0.4 mi |
| Tecumseh Brook | Waterville Valley | 0.9 mi |
| Cascade Brook | Waterville Valley | 1 mi |
| Osceola Brook | Waterville Valley | 1.2 mi |
| Avalanche Brook | Mount Tripyramid | 1.3 mi |
| Drakes Brook | Waterville Valley | 1.6 mi |
| Dry Brook | Waterville Valley | 1.6 mi |
| Slide Brook | Mount Tripyramid | 2.1 mi |
| Flume Brook | Mount Tripyramid | 2.2 mi |
| Kancamagus Brook | Mount Tripyramid | 2.2 mi |
Features on the USGS Waterville Valley Quadrangle
The Waterville Valley 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 19 catalogued natural features alongside West Branch Mad River. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snows Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 0.4 mi |
| Tecumseh Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 0.9 mi |
| Cascade Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 1 mi |
| Osceola Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 1.2 mi |
| Drakes Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 1.6 mi |
| Dry Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 1.6 mi |
| Shell Cascade | Waterfalls | Grafton County, NH | 2.1 mi |
| Hardy Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 2.2 mi |
| Mount Tecumseh | Summits | Grafton County, NH | 2.3 mi |
| Green Mountain | Summits | Grafton County, NH | 2.4 mi |
Historical record
The West Branch of the Mad River is a 3.2-mile-long (5.1 km) stream located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire in the United States. It is a tributary of the Mad River, part of the Pemigewasset River and ultimately the Merrimack River watershed. Read the full Wikipedia entry →
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
Chapman Inn sits 47.5 miles southwest (bearing SW) of West Branch Mad River. At moderate back-road speeds the drive runs about 81 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 (43.955°), the shoulder seasons are workable — April and November can be comfortable on mild years. At 47.5 miles from the Inn, block the full day — sunrise start, late return, packed meals. Conditions at West Branch Mad River track the nearby Snows Brook stream (0.4 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to West Branch Mad River
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snows Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 0.4 mi |
| Tecumseh Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 0.9 mi |
| The Ledges | Benches | Grafton County, NH | 0.9 mi |
| Cascade Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 1 mi |
| Osceola Brook | Streams | Grafton County, NH | 1.2 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is West Branch Mad River located?
West Branch Mad River is in Grafton County, New Hampshire, approximately 47.5 miles southwest of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Waterville Valley topographic quadrangle.
How far is West Branch Mad River from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 81 minutes, 47.5 miles southwest (bearing SW) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is West Branch Mad River?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies West Branch Mad River as a stream, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 872892 on the Waterville Valley quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit West Branch Mad 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: Q7984528.