North Branch Raritan River
Encyclopedia
The North Branch Raritan River is a tributary
of the Raritan River
in central New Jersey
in the United States
.
The North Branch Raritan River rises in central Morris County
south of Dover
and flows generally southward into Somerset County
, around the southern end of the Watchung Mountains
. At its end, it forms the border between Bridgewater and Branchburg Townships, and upon reaching the border of Hillsborough Township, joins the South Branch Raritan River
to form the main Raritan River, which generally flows eastward from that point. This area where the branches converge was called "Tucca-Ramma-Hacking" by the Lenape, meaning the flowing together of water. It was called "Two Bridges" by the early European settlers, after a set of bridges built in 1733 that met at a small island (the island has washed away over time) on the North Branch. Today the area is generally referred to as "The Confluence". In the 1970s, the state discussed plans for a Raritan Confluence Reservoir, which have been shelved due to acquisition costs.
The river gives its name to the unincorporated village of North Branch
, which lies on both sides of the river in Branchburg and Bridgewater Townships.
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the Raritan River
Raritan River
The Raritan River is a major river of central New Jersey in the United States. Its watershed drains much of the mountainous area of the central part of the state, emptying into the Raritan Bay on the Atlantic Ocean.-Description:...
in central New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The North Branch Raritan River rises in central Morris County
Morris County, New Jersey
Morris County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey, about west of New York City. According to the United States 2010 Census, the population was 492,276. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Morristown....
south of Dover
Dover, New Jersey
Dover is a town in Morris County, New Jersey on the Rockaway River. Dover is west of New York City and west of Newark, New Jersey. As of the United States Census, 2000, the town's population was 18,188.-Geography:...
and flows generally southward into Somerset County
Somerset County, New Jersey
Somerset County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. In 2010, the population was 323,444. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Somerville....
, around the southern end of the Watchung Mountains
Watchung Mountains
The Watchung Mountains are a group of three long low ridges of volcanic origin, between 400 ft. and 500 ft. high, lying parallel to each other in northern New Jersey in the United States...
. At its end, it forms the border between Bridgewater and Branchburg Townships, and upon reaching the border of Hillsborough Township, joins the South Branch Raritan River
South Branch Raritan River
The South Branch Raritan River is a tributary of the Raritan River in central New Jersey in the United States.The source of the South Branch is the outflow from Budd Lake, a glacial remnant located a few miles northeast of Hackettstown...
to form the main Raritan River, which generally flows eastward from that point. This area where the branches converge was called "Tucca-Ramma-Hacking" by the Lenape, meaning the flowing together of water. It was called "Two Bridges" by the early European settlers, after a set of bridges built in 1733 that met at a small island (the island has washed away over time) on the North Branch. Today the area is generally referred to as "The Confluence". In the 1970s, the state discussed plans for a Raritan Confluence Reservoir, which have been shelved due to acquisition costs.
The river gives its name to the unincorporated village of North Branch
North Branch, New Jersey
North Branch is an unincorporated area and hamlet located mostly within Branchburg Township, in Somerset County, New Jersey. A portion of North Branch is located in Bridgewater Township...
, which lies on both sides of the river in Branchburg and Bridgewater Townships.
Tributaries
- Black RiverBlack River (New Jersey)The Black River, known as the Lamington River downstream of Pottersville, is a tributary of the North Branch Raritan River in central New Jersey in the United States....
- Burnett Brook
- Chambers Brook
- Chamber's Brook
- Clucas Brook
- India Brook
- Larger Brook
- Lamington RiverLamington RiverThe Lamington River, known as the Black River upstream of Pottersville, is a tributary of the North Branch Raritan River in central New Jersey in the United States.-Tributaries:*Bamboo Brook*Cold Brook* Rockaway Creek*Tanners Brook-External links:*...
- McVickers Brook
- Middle Brook (Bedminster)
- Mine Brook
- Moggy Brook
- Peapack Brook
- Penns Brook
- Stewart Brook