The river has long been important to transportation and migration to the west as a passage between the Allegheny and Adirondack highlands. The fertile valley also attracted early settlers, and a number of important battles of the French and Indian War and the Revolution were fought here.
During the early westward growth of the United States, the Erie Canal was an important link to the west that followed or used the river's path.
There is also a short stream named the Mohawk River in New Hampshire. It flows WSW from near Dixville Notch for 15 km into the Connecticut River near Colebrook.