Kennebec

River in west-central Maine. It rises in Moosehead Lake and flows 240 km/149 mi south to the Atlantic Ocean. It is a valuable source of hydroelectricity. The river is navigable for 120 km/75 mi from the Atlantic to Augusta, the state capital.

The French explorer Samuel de Champlain explored the river in 1606. In the 18th century the Kennebec became an important timber source, providing in particular mast pines for the British navy. In 1775 Benedict Arnold made his famous trek up the river in an ill-fated attempt to capture Québec.