Penobscot River

Penobscot River
The Penobscot River watershed
Country	United States
Basin features
Main source	Maine
River mouth	Penobscot Bay sea level 44°26′N 68°50′W / 44.44°N 68.83°W / 44.44; -68.83Coordinates: 44°26′N 68°50′W / 44.44°N 68.83°W / 44.44; -68.83
Basin size	8,610 sq mi (22,300 km2)
Tributaries	Left: East Branch Penobscot River, Mattawamkeag River Right: West Branch Penobscot River, Piscataquis River
Physical characteristics
Length	109 miles (175 km)
Discharge	Average rate: 12,080 cu ft/s (342 m3/s)

The Penobscot River /pəˈnɒbskət/ is a 109-mile-long (175 km) river in the U.S. state of Maine. Including the river's West Branch and South Branch increases the Penobscot's length to 264 miles (425 km), making it the second longest river system in Maine and the longest entirely in the state. Its drainage basin contains 8,610 square miles (22,300 km²).

It arises from four branches in several lakes in north-central Maine, which flow generally east. After the uniting of the West Branch with the East Branch at Medway (45°36′14″N 68°31′52″W / 45.604°N 68.531°W / 45.604; -68.531 (Penobscot River source)), the Penobscot flows 109 miles (175 km) south, past the city of Bangor, where it becomes navigable. Also at Bangor is the tributary Kenduskeag Stream. It empties into the Atlantic Ocean in Penobscot Bay. It is home to the Penobscot people that live on Indian Island.