Susquehanna

Susquehanna, river in north-eastern United States, rising in Otsego Lake in central New York, and flowing south across Pennsylvania and into Maryland, where it empties into Chesapeake Bay at Havre de Grace. With a length of 715 km (444 mi), it is one of the longest rivers of the eastern coast of the United States. It flows through generally hilly country at the eastern edge of the Appalachian Mountain system, and throughout most of its course is a shallow, swift, unnavigable stream. Its principal tributaries are the Chemung, West Branch of the Susquehanna, and Juniata rivers, all of which join from the west. Several important hydroelectric plants have been built along the river; at Three Mile Island, located on the river south of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is a nuclear power facility that was shut down in 1979 following a serious accident, and was partially reopened in 1985. Despite major flood control works, the Susquehanna flooded in 1972, causing extensive damage.