title: East Branch Penobscot River
text: # East Branch Penobscot River
  
  The East Branch Penobscot River is a 75.3-mile-long (121.2 km) tributary of Maine's Penobscot River. It flows in Piscataquis County and Penobscot County.
  
  ## Course
  
  From its source (46°16′01″N 69°12′08″W﻿ / ﻿46.2670°N 69.2023°W﻿ / 46.2670; -69.2023﻿ (East Branch Penobscot River source)) in Maine Township 7, Range 11, WELS, in Piscataquis County, the river runs 17 miles (27 km) southeast through the North Maine Woods to Grand Lake Matagamon reservoir, in the northeast corner of Baxter State Park. From Grand Lake Dam, the river runs 48 miles (77 km) south to its confluence with the West Branch Penobscot River in Medway, Penobscot County.
  
  ## Matagamon Lake
  
  Grand Lake Matagamon or Matagamon Lake is a reservoir on the East Branch, impounded by Grand Lake Dam. The dam was built at the outlet of First Lake, and flooded vast expanses of low-lying land extending upstream to include Second Lake.
  
  The shallow water habitat created by the dam is more suitable for yellow perch, fallfish, and longnose sucker rather than for trout.
  
  