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The Quinnipiac River History
The word "Quinnipiac" is derived from the language of the Algonquin tribes whose members lived, hunted and fished along the river for centuries. Roughly translated, the term means "long water land", which is probably a reference to the river's extensive, six-mile-long estuary. Historically, the river had an abundant supply of wildlife and fish. The tidal marshes have long been considered the most productive muskrat habitat in the United States. Although the oyster industry dominated in the early 1900's, the estuary also provided habitat for other shellfish, fin fish and crustacea.