The Piscataquog River is one of 19 “designated” rivers in NH. Designated rivers have been recognized by the State Legislature and the Governor for their “important natural resources, historical significance, and their contribution to our quality of life”. The Piscataquog River also has a local advisory committee, who helps coordinate with the towns along the river, makes recommendations on activities adjacent to the river, and develops a corridor management plan.
For centuries, the Abanaki people used the Piscataquog River as an important travel corridor. In 1958, historian and archaeologist Chester Price wrote in “Historic Indian Trails of New Hampshire” that the Pisga-tegu-ok Trail ran along the Piscataquog River from what is now Manchester through Goffstown, New Boston and Francestown. He translated Piscataquog as “to the place of the dark river” (pisga, it is dark; tegu, river; and ok, to the place).
