Watershed Management Area 8
North and South Branch Raritan

Watershed Management Area 8 includes the North and South Branches of the Raritan River and their tributaries. Large portions of Somerset, Hunterdon, and Morris Counties are included in this land area.

The North Branch of the Raritan River is 23 miles long and flows from northwestern Morris County through Somerset County to the confluence with the South Branch between the towns of Branchburg and Raritan. Major tributaries include the Peapack Brook, Rockaway Creek and Lamington River and the only major impoundment is Ravine Lake. Land use in the North Branch Raritan River Watershed is primarily rural, woodland and agricultural with scattered areas of commercial and residential but there is intense development along the major road corridors. There are over 20 NJPDES permitted discharges and 51 biological monitoring stations in this watershed.

The South Branch of the Raritan River is 51 miles long and flows from western Morris County through central Hunterdon County into western Somerset County before joining the North Branch. Major tributaries include the Neshanic River, Spruce Run Creek, Mulhockaway Creek and Cakepoulin Creek and major impoundments are the Spruce Run and Round Valley Reservoirs. Land use in the South Branch Raritan River Watershed is mostly agricultural, but suburban-industrial development is increasing at a rapid rate. There are approximately 23 NJPDES permitted discharges and 51 biological monitoring stations in this watershed.

For more information regarding watershed management areas please contact DEP's Office of Policy Implementation and Watershed Restoration at (609) 633-2201.

Or visit the projects web site at www.raritanbasin.org