| South Branch Raritan River | |
|---|---|
 South Branch Raritan River flowing pastNeshanic Mills | |
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| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Jersey |
| Region | Hunterdon County Morris County Somerset County |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Budd Lake |
| • location | Budd Lake |
| • coordinates | 40°51′48″N74°45′07″W / 40.86333°N 74.75194°W /40.86333; -74.75194[1] |
| Mouth | Raritan River |
• location | Branchburg |
• coordinates | 40°33′19″N74°41′15″W / 40.55528°N 74.68750°W /40.55528; -74.68750[1] |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Raritan River |
TheSouth Branch Raritan River is a 50-mile-long (80 km)[2]tributary of theRaritan River inNew Jersey.[3]
The source of the South Branch is the outflow fromBudd Lake, a glacial remnant located a few miles northeast ofHackettstown. The river flows out ofMorris County, down the middle ofHunterdon County, and along the western edge ofSomerset County.[3]
At its end, it forms the border between Branchburg and Hillsborough Townships and, upon reaching the border of Bridgewater Township, joins theNorth Branch Raritan River to form theRaritan 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.[4] 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 theRaritan Headwaters Association. Their mission is to “protects water in our rivers, our streams, and our homes. Our vision is that everyone within our reach has access to safe, clean water that is swimmable, fishable, and above all, drinkable”. Established in 1959 as the South Branch Watershed Association, Raritan Headwaters 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.Real-time streamflow and weather data for the South Branch Raritan River at High Bridge are available via online monitoring systems.[5]
Both North and South branches of the Raritan run nearly parallel southwards, east and west of one another, but receive their names from the direction each one flows from at their confluence.
Media related toSouth Branch Raritan River at Wikimedia Commons40°40′40″N74°52′44″W / 40.677829°N 74.878812°W /40.677829; -74.878812
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