Aerial imagery: USGS National Map (public domain)
West Branch Swift River — Streams 25.0 Miles NNE of Chapman Inn
Oxford County, Maine · USGS Houghton Quadrangle · GNIS 578096
Within Oxford County, Maine, on the USGS Houghton quadrangle, the stream known as West Branch Swift River sits 25.0 miles north-northeast of Chapman Inn.
Wikidata short description: “river in the United States of America”
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
Within Oxford County, Maine, the U.S. Geological Survey lists West Branch Swift River as a stream on the Houghton topographic quadrangle (FIPS 23/017), under Feature ID 578096. Last revised by the Board on Geographic Names on 04/02/2019.
Coordinates & physical setting
West Branch Swift River sits at 44.75361° N, 70.65117° W (DMS 44°45′13″ N, 70°39′04″ W).
As a linear feature its source lies near 44.76441° N, 70.75637° W (DMS 44°45′52″ N, 70°45′23″ 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 West Branch Swift River itself. The ones closest to West Branch Swift River:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Berdeen Stream | Houghton | 0.4 mi |
| East Branch Swift River | Ellis Pond | 1 mi |
| Mott Stream | Houghton | 1.9 mi |
| Stockbridge Branch | Roxbury | 3.2 mi |
| Phelps Brook | Ellis Pond | 3.9 mi |
| Beaver Brook | Ellis Pond | 4.8 mi |
| York Brook | Ellis Pond | 4.9 mi |
| Noisy Brook | Roxbury | 5 mi |
| Thomas Farm Brook | Roxbury | 5.2 mi |
| West Fork Beaver Brook | Ellis Pond | 5.6 mi |
Features on the USGS Houghton Quadrangle
The Houghton 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 18 catalogued natural features alongside West Branch Swift River. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berdeen Stream | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 0.4 mi |
| Mott Stream | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 1.9 mi |
| Mountain Brook | Streams | Franklin County, ME | 3.3 mi |
| Brimstone Mountain | Summits | Franklin County, ME | 3.5 mi |
| Angel Falls | Waterfalls | Franklin County, ME | 3.5 mi |
| Beaver Pond | Lakes | Franklin County, ME | 4.4 mi |
| Spencer Pond | Lakes | Franklin County, ME | 5 mi |
| Round Pond | Lakes | Franklin County, ME | 5.6 mi |
| Sabbath Day Pond | Lakes | Franklin County, ME | 5.9 mi |
| Four Ponds Brook | Streams | Franklin County, ME | 6.3 mi |
Historical record
The West Branch Swift River is a 6.4-mile-long (10.3 km) tributary of the Swift River in western Maine. Via the Swift River, it is part of the Androscoggin River watershed, flowing to the Kennebec River and ultimately the Atlantic Ocean. Read the full Wikipedia entry →
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
Follow the compass bearing NNE out of Bethel for 25.0 miles (north-northeast) and you reach West Branch Swift River; at typical rural speeds the trip runs roughly 43 minutes.
Best time to visit
Best observed in late spring and early summer when flow is strong and banks are visible. At this latitude (44.754°), the shoulder seasons are workable — April and November can be comfortable on mild years. At 25.0 miles from the Inn, block the full day — sunrise start, late return, packed meals. Conditions at West Branch Swift River track the nearby Berdeen Stream (0.4 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to West Branch Swift River
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berdeen Stream | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 0.4 mi |
| East Branch Swift River | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 1 mi |
| Mott Stream | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 1.9 mi |
| Dolly Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 2.1 mi |
| Pleasant Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 2.4 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is West Branch Swift River located?
West Branch Swift River is in Oxford County, Maine, approximately 25.0 miles north-northeast of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Houghton topographic quadrangle.
How far is West Branch Swift River from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 43 minutes, 25.0 miles north-northeast (bearing NNE) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is West Branch Swift River?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies West Branch Swift River as a stream, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 578096 on the Houghton quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit West Branch Swift 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: Q7984554.