South Branch Raritan River
Encyclopedia
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 source of the South Branch is the outflow from Budd Lake
Budd Lake (New Jersey)
Budd Lake, the largest natural lake in New Jersey, is the source of the South Branch Raritan River. It is located in the community of Budd Lake, New Jersey, an unincorporated portion of Mount Olive Township....
, a glacial remnant located a few miles northeast of Hackettstown
Hackettstown, New Jersey
Hackettstown is a town in Warren County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 9,724. The town is located in the eastern most region of the Lehigh Valley....
. The river flows out of 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....
, down the middle of Hunterdon County
Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Hunterdon County is a county located in the western section of the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 128,349. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Flemington....
, and along the western edge of 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....
.
At its end, it forms the border between Branchburg and Hillsborough Townships and, upon reaching the border of Bridgewater Township, joins the North Branch Raritan River
North Branch Raritan River
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...
to form 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:...
, 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’s local grassroots organization is the South Branch Watershed Association. Their mission is to “Protect the Water Resources of the South Branch of the Raritan River and its Watershed”. Established in 1959, the South Branch Watershed Association is one of the oldest and largest watershed associations in New Jersey, covering 276 square miles, 3 counties and 25 municipalities. The group offers homeowner well testing, environmental education, river monitoring, annual river cleanup and stream restoration.
The unincorporated village of South Branch
South Branch, New Jersey
South Branch is an unincorporated community located within Hillsborough Township, located in Somerset County, New Jersey.The community goes back to 1750 and was also known as Branchville. It is situated on the South Branch Raritan River near its junction with the Raritan River...
is located in Hillsborough Township.
Tributaries
- Allerton Creek
- Assicong Creek
- Beaver Brook
- Bushkill Brook
- Capoolong Creek
- Cramers Creek
- Drakes Brook
- Electric Brook
- Holland BrookHolland BrookHolland Brook is a stream in central New Jersey, running through Readington and Branchburg. It is the last tributary of the South Branch Raritan River before it combines with the North Branch Raritan River...
- Little Brook
- Minneaconing Creek
- Neshanic RiverNeshanic RiverThe Neshanic River is a tributary of the South Branch Raritan River in central New Jersey in the United States. It is 11 miles long.-External links:*...
- Pleasant RunPleasant RunPleasant Run may refer to:* Pleasant Run, Ohio, United States* Pleasant Run Elementary School, a public school in Lancaster, Texas, United States* Pleasant Run Township, Lawrence County, Indiana, United States...
(Campbell's Brook) - Prescott Brook
- Spruce Run Brook (includes Spruce Run Reservoir)
- Sydney Brook
- Stony Brook (Washington Township - Morris County)
- Turkey Brook