Assonet River

The Assonet River is located in Bristol County, Massachusetts. It flows 7.4 miles (11.9 km) in a westerly direction through Freetown and joins the Taunton River near Assonet Neck in Berkley, Massachusetts.

The Assonet River is formed from the Cedar Swamp River near the border of Freetown and Lakeville just south of Myricks village. It is joined by Quaker Brook at Forge Pond. From this point it flows parallel to Route 79 through a series of small mill ponds. It becomes tidal near the Elm Street Bridge in Assonet village where it widens and becomes Assonet Bay to the west of Route 24.

Assonet Bay contains several small coves fed by small streams including Payne's Cove (fed by Terry Brook from the south) and Shepherd's Cove located at its southwest end. The bay is also fed by Stacy's Creek from the north. Assonet Bay is surrounded by several small hills (drumlins). Past Shepherd's Cove the Assonet River narrows again for its last mile or so before joining the wide Taunton River between Conspiracy Island and Winslow Point. This portion of the river forms the town line between Berkley and Freetown.

At its mouth, the Assonet River also forms Hathaway Cove in Assonet.

The Assonet River is a major river of southeastern Massachusetts, along with the Taunton River. Throughout the history of colonial and early America, the river and its tributaries provided the power to run grist mills and saw mills, and later the Crystal Springs Bleachery. It provided for a minor port, and is also a prime location for herring runs.

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