View source for Raritan River

{{Short description|Major river in the U.S. state of New Jersey}}
{{use American English|date=March 2016}}
{{use mdy dates|date=March 2016}}
{{Infobox river
| name              = Raritan River
| name_other        = Rariton
| name_etymology         = [[Raritan (tribe)|Raritan]] Indian tribe
| image             = Raritan_River_at_Duke_Island.jpg
| image_size        = 300
| image_caption     = Raritan River as seen from [[Bridgewater Township, New Jersey]]
| image_alt         = River with autumn trees in background
| map               = Raritanrivermap.png
| map_size          = 300
| map_caption       = Raritan River watershed: empties near [[Staten Island]] in [[Raritan Bay]] on the [[Atlantic Ocean]].
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = United States
| subdivision_type2 = State
| subdivision_name2 = New Jersey
| subdivision_type3 = Counties
| subdivision_name3 = [[Hunterdon County, New Jersey|Hunterdon]], [[Mercer County, New Jersey|Mercer]], [[Middlesex County, New Jersey|Middlesex]], [[Monmouth County, New Jersey|Monmouth]], [[Morris County, New Jersey|Morris]], [[Somerset County, New Jersey|Somerset]], [[Union County, New Jersey|Union]]
| subdivision_type4 = Municipalities
| subdivision_name4 = [[Raritan, New Jersey|Raritan]], [[Clinton, New Jersey|Clinton]], [[Bridgewater Township, New Jersey|Bridgewater Township]], [[Somerville, New Jersey|Somerville]], [[Bound Brook, New Jersey|Bound Brook]], [[South Bound Brook, New Jersey|South Bound Brook]], [[Piscataway Township, New Jersey|Piscataway]], [[Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey|Franklin Township]], [[New Brunswick, New Jersey|New Brunswick]], [[Highland Park, New Jersey|Highland Park]], [[Edison, New Jersey|Edison]], [[East Brunswick, New Jersey|East Brunswick]], [[Sayreville, New Jersey|Sayreville]], [[Woodbridge Township, New Jersey|Woodbridge]], [[Perth Amboy, New Jersey|Perth Amboy]], [[South Amboy, New Jersey|South Amboy]]
<!---------------------- BASIN -->
| source1_location  = Confluence of [[South Branch Raritan River]] and [[North Branch Raritan River]]
| source1_coordinates= {{coord|40|33|20|N|74|41|14|W}}
| source1_coord_ref  = <ref name=GNIS>{{cite gnis| 879618 |Raritan River}}</ref>
| source_coordinates_note= 
| source1_elevation = {{convert|47.7|ft|abbr=on}}
| mouth_location    = [[Raritan Bay]]
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|40|29|41|N|74|16|17|W|display=inline,title}}
| mouth_coord_ref    = <ref name=GNIS/>
| mouth_elevation   = {{convert|0|ft|abbr=on}}
| progression       = 
| river_system      = 
| basin_size        = {{convert|1,100|sqmi|acres+km2|abbr=on}}
| basin_landmarks   = 
| basin_population  = ~1.2 million
<!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS -->
| length            = {{convert|69.6|mi|abbr=on}}
| width_min         = 
| width_avg         = {{convert|200|ft|abbr=on}}
| width_max         = 
| depth_min         = {{convert|9|ft|abbr=on}}
| depth_avg         = 
| depth_max         = {{convert|25|ft|abbr=on}}
| discharge1_location= [[Bound Brook, New Jersey|Bound Brook]]
| discharge1_min    = {{convert|100|ft3/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}
| discharge1_avg    = {{convert|1070|ft3/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}
| discharge1_max    = {{convert|10800|ft3/s|m3/s|abbr=on}}
<!---------------------- FEATURES -->
| tributaries_left  = [[Peters Brook (Raritan River)|Peters Brook]], [[Cuckles Brook]], [[Middle Brook (Raritan River)|Middle Brook]], [[Green Brook]], [[Mill Brook (Raritan River)|Mill Brook]], [[Red Root Creek]], [[Crows Mill Creek]]
| tributaries_right = [[Dukes Brook]], [[Millstone River]], [[Fox Creek (Raritan River)|Fox Creek]], [[Mile Run (New Jersey)|Mile Run]], [[Lawrence Brook]], [[South River (Rairtan River)|South River]]
| bridges           = [[Victory Bridge (New Jersey)|Victory Bridge]], [[Edison Bridge (New Jersey)|Edison Bridge]], [[Driscoll Bridge]], New Jersey Turnpike, U.S. Highway No. 1 Bridge, highway bridge over South River at the town of South River
| ports             = 
| custom_label      = 
| custom_data       = 
| extra             = 
}}

The '''Raritan River''' is a river of the [[U.S. state]] of [[New Jersey]]. Its [[Drainage basin|watershed]] drains much of the mountainous areas in the [[North Jersey|northern]] and [[Central Jersey|central]] sections of the state, emptying into the [[Raritan Bay]] near [[Staten Island]] on the [[Atlantic Ocean]].

==History==
[[Geologist]]s assert that the lower Raritan provided the course of the mouth of the [[Hudson River]]<ref>{{cite unbound|page=4}}</ref> approximately 6,000 years ago. Following the end of the last [[ice age]], [[the Narrows]] had not yet been formed and the Hudson flowed along the [[Watchung Mountains]] to present-day [[Bound Brook, New Jersey|Bound Brook]], then followed the course of the Raritan eastward into [[Lower New York Bay]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Waldman |first=John R. |title=Heartbeats in the muck: the history, sea life, and environment of New York Harbor |date=1999 |publisher=Lyons Press |isbn=1-55821-720-7|location=New York |oclc=41674270}}</ref>{{Page needed|date=December 2021}}

The name ''Raritan'' possibly derives from a branch of the [[Lenape]] people called the Nariticongs, the first people known to settle the Raritan Valley.<ref>{{cite web |year=1938 |title=The Origin of New Jersey Place Names |url=http://www.njstatelib.org/NJ_Information/Digital_Collections/Place_Names/PLACE.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041205164251/http://www.njstatelib.org/NJ_Information/Digital_Collections/Place_Names/PLACE.pdf |archive-date=2004-12-05 |accessdate=2009-01-06 |work=[[New Jersey State Library]] Commission |publisher=Federal Writers' Program}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Schneider |first=Jennifer |title=History of the Raritan River |url=https://cdn.knightlab.com/libs/timeline3/latest/embed/index.html?source=1Ofi5newoFwvho7c-1Yz0YQlwgHkmZkd56F07b4O-j0M&font=Default&lang=en&initial_zoom=2&height=650 |date=2019 |publisher=Rutgers University; Department of History |location=New Brunswick, NJ}}</ref> 

Following conflict with the arriving [[Dutch colonization of the Americas|Dutch colonists]], the native people of the region, especially the [[Sanhican]], were forced to sell their territory near the [[Raritan Bay]] and move further inland along the river valley.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodspeed|first=Marfy |title=The Lenape of Central New Jersey |website=Goodspeed Histories |url=https://goodspeedhistories.com/the-lenape-of-central-new-jersey-2/|access-date=2021-01-31}}</ref> As [[Colonial history of the United States|English colonists]] took over the region, they took advantage of the river's location between New York and Philadelphia as well as a road network developed by the Lenape to turn the region into a transportation and commercial hub.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=DeAngelo |first=W. A. |date=2008 |url=http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/government/departments/bde/documents/history_buffs_guide.pdf |title=The History of Middlesex County |location=New Brunswick |publisher=Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders |pages=22–23 |access-date=January 31, 2021 |archive-date=September 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929202842/http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/Government/Departments/BDE/Documents/history_buffs_guide.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> As a result, the Raritan River became an important waterway for colonial travel and trade,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Raritan River Historical Marker |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=66977 |access-date=2021-01-31 |website=The Historical Marker Database}}</ref> allowing for the development of trade centers like [[Raritan Landing, New Jersey|Raritan Landing]] and [[New Brunswick, New Jersey|New Brunswick]], where agricultural and raw material goods could be sold.<ref name=":0" /> 

During the [[American Revolutionary War]], the river was the site of guerilla warfare by American militiamen against British patrols, culminating in the [[Battle of Bound Brook]] where a large British force attacked an American outpost south of the river.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Battle of Bound Brook |url=https://www.myrevolutionarywar.com/battles/770413-bound-brook/|access-date=2021-01-31|website=www.myrevolutionarywar.com|language=en}}</ref>{{Self-published inline|date=February 2024}}

The success of the [[Erie Canal]] (completed in 1825) sparked a "canal fever" in the United States, catalyzing the construction of the [[Delaware and Raritan Canal]] (D&R) between New Brunswick on the Raritan and [[Bordentown, New Jersey|Bordentown]] on the [[Delaware River]]. The D&R was completed in 1834 and provided a critical link between [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]] (and the rest of the greater [[Mid-Atlantic (United States)|Mid-Atlantic region]], at large) and [[New York City|New York]] (and the rest of the greater [[New England|New England region]], at large), as these cities were situated along the crucial rivers of the Delaware and the [[Hudson River|Hudson]], respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chirco |first=Vicki |title=A Historic Place |url=https://www.dandrcanal.com/history |access-date=2021-01-31 |website=D & R Canal |language=en-gb}}</ref> The vast majority of traffic along the canal was [[Pennsylvania]] [[anthracite coal]] with the rest consisting mostly of agricultural and textile goods. At its peak in 1866 the D&R transported more cargo than the Erie Canal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Barges, Bridges, and Mules: The Story of the Delaware & Raritan Canal |url=https://www.thehistorygirl.com/2012/08/barges-bridges-and-mules-story-of.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150306084755/http://www.thehistorygirl.com/2012/08/barges-bridges-and-mules-story-of.html |archive-date=2015-03-06 |access-date=2021-01-31}}</ref> In 1932 the D&R canal shut down for commercial use. In 1974 the canal was developed as a state park for recreational use and remains in use as a water supply for central New Jersey.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Delaware and Raritan Canal |publisher=Canal Society of New Jersey |url=https://canalsocietynj.org/canal-history/delaware-and-raritan-canal/ |access-date=2021-01-31 |location=Morristown, NJ}}</ref> Various [[mill towns]] were formed along the canal and the aforementioned river (and tributaries), most notably (from south to north / west to east) being [[Trenton, New Jersey|Trenton]], [[Kingston, New Jersey|Kingston]], [[Blackwells Mills, New Jersey|Blackwells Mills]], [[Griggstown, New Jersey|Griggstown]], [[Hillsborough Township, New Jersey|Hillsborough]], [[Manville, New Jersey|Manville]], [[Chester Township, New Jersey|Chester]], [[Bernards Township, New Jersey|Bernards]], [[Clinton, New Jersey|Clinton]], [[Raritan, New Jersey|Raritan]], [[Milltown, New Jersey|Milltown]], and [[Woodbridge Township, New Jersey|Woodbridge]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://canalsocietynj.org/canal-history/delaware-and-raritan-canal/ |publisher=Canal Society of New Jersey |location=Morristown, NJ |title=Explore the Delaware and Raritan Canal |access-date=August 12, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.raritanboro.org/pages/the-history-of-raritan#:~:text=The%20Raritan%20Woolen%20Mills%2C%20established,employed%20there%20at%20one%20time |publisher=Borough of Raritan, NJ |title=The History of Raritan |access-date=August 12, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/water-power-economy-video-gallery/new-jersey-then-and-now/ |title=Water-Powered Economy, 1830-1920 |website=New Jersey: Then and Now |access-date=August 12, 2023 |publisher=Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)}}</ref>

==Description==
The main '''Raritan River''' forms at the confluence of the [[North Branch Raritan River]] and the [[South Branch Raritan River]], just west of [[Somerville, New Jersey|Somerville]] at the border of [[Bridgewater Township, New Jersey|Bridgewater]], [[Branchburg, New Jersey|Branchburg]], and [[Hillsborough Township, New Jersey|Hillsborough Townships]]. 

The North Branch Raritan River's [[headwaters]] are located in [[Mendham Borough, New Jersey|Mendham Borough]] and it flows from out of [[Morris County, New Jersey|Morris County]] southward into [[Somerset County, New Jersey|Somerset County]], to the southern end of the [[Watchung Mountains]].<ref name = "gertler">Gertler, Edward. ''Garden State Canoeing'', Seneca Press, 2002. {{ISBN|0-9605908-8-9}}</ref> The South Branch Raritan River's headwaters are located at [[Budd Lake (New Jersey)|Budd Lake]] (a glacial remnant a few miles northeast of [[Hackettstown, New Jersey|Hackettstown]]), and it flows out of Morris County, through the heart of [[Hunterdon County, New Jersey|Hunterdon County]], and along the western edge of Somerset County.<ref name = "gertler"/>

After the confluence of the North and South branches, the Raritan River flows for approximately {{convert|16|mi|abbr=on}}, before slowing in tidewater at [[New Brunswick, New Jersey|New Brunswick]]. Its [[estuary]] extends {{convert|14|mi|abbr=on}} more, entering the western end of [[Raritan Bay]] at [[South Amboy, New Jersey|South Amboy]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-02-13|title=Raritan River Basin|url=https://www.sierraclub.org/new-jersey/raritan-valley/raritan-river-basin-0|access-date=2021-02-12|website=Sierra Club|language=en}}</ref>

Comprehensive measures have been taken to reduce the pollution and increase the water quality. These actions have benefited the fish population which include (but are not limited to) [[largemouth bass]], [[smallmouth bass]], [[Centrarchidae|sunfish]], [[catfish]], [[trout]], [[chain pickerel]], [[american eel]]s, [[carp]] and [[yellow perch]]. [[pike (fish)|Pike]] can be found in relative abundance in some portions of the river like Clinton and Califon. An occasional [[Muskellunge|Musky]] has been taken out of the Raritan as well. The tidal portions of the river host migratory salt water species such as [[striped bass]], [[Summer flounder|fluke]], [[winter flounder]], [[weakfish]] and [[bluefish]]. Recently, efforts to restore anadromous fish populations have been made, done by removing many of the obsolete dams and the constructing dam bypass infrastructure. Hopefully this will result in restoring [[Alosinae|shad]], striped bass, and [[sturgeon]] populations in the river. Many [[Songbird|songbirds]], [[Wader|wading birds]], and [[water fowl|waterfowl]] make their homes in and along the length of the river, such as [[Mallard|mallards]], [[Canada goose|canadian geese]], [[Great blue heron|great blue herons]], [[Double-crested cormorant|double-crested cormorants]], and [[Common merganser|common mergansers]]. Common songbirds include the [[american robin]], [[song sparrow]], [[northern mockingbird]], [[common grackle]], and the [[Red-winged blackbird]]. Crustaceans such as [[blue claw crab]], [[fiddler crabs]] and [[green crabs]] are also found in the tidal sections of the river. [[Crayfish]] can be found farther upstream.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hartobey |first=Jim |date=September 2005 |title=Prime Time For Smallies |url=https://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/artsmallmouth05.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522210725/https://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/artsmallmouth05.htm |archive-date=2022-05-22 |website=NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife}}</ref>

The river is also used for recreational boating, including use by the rowing team of [[Rutgers University]] in New Brunswick. The river is featured in the title of Rutgers' [[alma mater]], ''[[On the Banks of the Old Raritan]]'', and its flooding is mentioned in the song.<ref>A verse of the song goes: "For has she not stood since the time of the flood / On the banks of the old Raritan"</ref> 

Near its mouth, the river is spanned by the [[Raritan Bay Drawbridge]], a [[New Jersey Transit]] railroad bridge which carries the [[North Jersey Coast Line]];<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-15|title=NJ Officials Break Ground on Raritan Bay Bridge Project|url=https://www.wbgo.org/news/2020-09-15/nj-officials-break-ground-on-raritan-bay-bridge-project|access-date=2021-08-06|website=WBGO|language=en}}</ref> the [[Victory Bridge (New Jersey)|Victory Bridge]] which carries [[Route 35 (New Jersey)|Route 35]] (connecting [[Perth Amboy, New Jersey|Perth Amboy]] and [[Sayreville|Sayreville, New Jersey]]);<ref>{{Cite web|title=Route 35 Victory Bridge Overview, Construction Updates, Commuter Information|url=https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/commuter/roads/rt35victory/|access-date=2021-08-06|website=www.state.nj.us}}</ref> the [[Edison Bridge (New Jersey)|Edison Bridge]], which carries [[U.S. Route 9 in New Jersey|U.S. Route 9]] (connecting Woodbridge Township and [[Sayreville, New Jersey|Sayreville]]); and the [[Driscoll Bridge]], which carries the [[Garden State Parkway]] (connecting [[Woodbridge Township, New Jersey|Woodbridge Township]] and Sayreville).<ref>Casella, R. M., & Haas, J., [https://www.state.nj.us/transportation/about/publicat/historyedisonbr.pdf The History & Technology of the Edison Bridge & Driscoll Bridge over the Raritan River], New Jersey pp. 1–8 (2003). Trenton, NJ.</ref>

==Water supply==
The Raritan River is an important source of drinking water for the central portion of New Jersey. A [[Water purification|water filtration]] plant operated by [[New Jersey American Water]] is located in [[Somerset, New Jersey|Somerset]] and draws its water at the confluence of the Raritan River and its largest tributary (the [[Millstone River]]), providing an average of {{convert|132000000|usgal|m3}} of water per day.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Jersey American Water Recognized for Excellence in Water Quality by Partnership for Safe Water  |url=https://www.amwater.com/press-room/press-releases/new-jersey/new-jersey-american-water-recognized-for-excellence-in-water-quality-by-partnership-for-safe-water |date=2020-09-18 |publisher=American Water |location=Camden, NJ |id=Press release}}</ref> 

The New Jersey Water Supply Authority operates two reservoirs off of the Raritan river, the [[Spruce Run Reservoir]] and [[Round Valley Reservoir]], and controls releases of water to ensure the “minimum passing flow rates” enforced by the [[New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Raritan Basin|url=https://www.njwsa.org/raritan-basin.html|access-date=2021-02-12|website=NJWSA|language=en}}</ref> Additionally, the Delaware and Raritan Canal, managed by the New Jersey Water Supply Authority, serves as a water supply that pumps over {{convert|100000000|usgal|m3}} of water per day from the Delaware to the Raritan river and serves over 1 million customers along the way<ref>''[https://www.njwsa.org/uploads/1/0/8/0/108064771/maintenance_along_the_dr_canal_faqs.pdf Maintenance Along the Delaware & Raritan Canal Frequently Asked Questions]'' [PDF]. (n.d.). New Jersey Water Supply Authority.</ref>

==Flooding==
The Raritan River has persistent flooding problems when excessive rain from storms affects the river basin. The flooding problems mainly affect the town of [[Bound Brook, New Jersey|Bound Brook]], which is partially built on a natural floodplain at the junction of several tributaries, and [[Manville, New Jersey|Manville]], which has a large neighborhood known as Lost Valley that lies on the floodplain between the Raritan River and its largest tributary river, which is known as the [[Millstone River]]. Other towns in the Raritan River basin also experience flooding to a lesser degree.{{fact|date=January 2021}}

Record flooding in the aftermath of [[Hurricane Floyd]] in September 1999 ({{convert|42.13|ft|abbr=on}}) flood crest, {{convert|14|ft|abbr=on}} above flood stage) caused renewed interest in a flood control project called the [[Green Brook Flood Control|Green Brook Flood Control Project]], which is designed to protect Bound Brook from a 150-year flood. In August 2011, record flooding occurred once again after [[Hurricane Irene]] swept through the area. This problem was exacerbated by well-above average rainfall that fell in the weeks before the storm hit, and spurred completion of the Army Corps of Engineers flood control project.<ref name="USGS New Jersey">{{cite web|url=https://nj.usgs.gov/hazards/flood/flood1108/|title=Summary of Flooding in New Jersey Caused by Hurricane Irene, August 27–30, 2011|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|access-date=November 14, 2015|archive-date=November 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117033456/http://nj.usgs.gov/hazards/flood/flood1108/|url-status=dead}}</ref> As of 2015, the current status of this project is:
# The '''R2 levee system''' is functionally complete – The R2 Levee System is designed to provide Bound Brook with protection from a 150-year flood level. The levee is built to the height of the raised Talmage Avenue Bridge.
# '''Closure gates along Raritan''' are functionally complete – The gate closures across the New Jersey Transit railroad tracks on the western side of Bound Brook and at the South Main Street railroad underpass that leads to Queens Bridge have been completed and are used to keep flood waters out of Bound Brook.
# '''The new Talmadge Avenue Bridge''' that connects Bound Brook and [[Bridgewater, New Jersey]] is functionally complete. The replacement bridge was built to the height of the R2 Levee to prevent [[Middle Brook (Raritan River)|Middle Brook]] and Raritan River waters from entering Bound Brook from the west.
# To improve water flow through Bound Brook, the former Conrail bridge over the Raritan River and its associated railroad embankment that were located east of Bound Brook were removed during 2007. The bridge and embankment, when they were in place, acted to block the river flow through the Bound Brook area. To build the main Bound Brook R2 levee, the bridge and embankment needed to be removed.<ref>Valinski, Robin Blackstone, "Green Brook Flood Control Project: Saving Bound Brook" (2012). Master of Environmental Studies Capstone Projects. 48. https://repository.upenn.edu/mes_capstones/48</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery heights="160px" widths="285px" mode="nolines">
File:Raritan River, NJ - South Branch and North Branch confluence.jpg|Confluence of the South Branch and the North Branch with the Raritan River in [[Branchburg, New Jersey|Branchburg]]
File:Raritay River viewed from Queens Bridge in Bound Brook.jpg|Raritan River viewed from [[Queen's Bridge (New Jersey)|Queens Bridge]] in [[Bound Brook, New Jersey|Bound Brook]]
File:Raritan River in Rutgers.jpg|Raritan River at the [[Atlantic Seaboard Fall Line|Fall Line]], as seen from [[Highland Park, New Jersey|Highland Park]]
File:GoodkindBridges.jpg|The [[Donald and Morris Goodkind Bridges]] over the Raritan River, connects [[New Brunswick, New Jersey|New Brunswick]] with [[Edison, New Jersey|Edison]]
File:Driscoll-Viesser-Edison Bridges - August 30, 2020.jpg|The [[Driscoll Bridge]], with a total of 15 travel lanes and 6 shoulder lanes, is one of the world's widest and busiest motor vehicle bridges, as it crosses the Raritan River, connecting [[Sayreville, New Jersey|Sayreville]] and [[Woodbridge Township, New Jersey|Woodbridge]]
File:Victory Bridge from US 9.JPG|The [[Victory Bridge (New Jersey)|Victory Bridge]] over the Raritan River, as seen from the [[Edison Bridge (New Jersey)|Edison Bridge]], it connects Sayreville with [[Perth Amboy, New Jersey|Perth Amboy]]
</gallery>
<gallery heights="160px" widths="240px" mode="nolines">
File:Raritan_Bay_Bridge.jpg|[[Raritan Bay Drawbridge]] in its open position, between Perth Amboy and [[South Amboy, New Jersey|South Amboy]], right before the Raritan River drains out into the [[Raritan Bay]]
File:RartianRiverfromEdisonBoatBasin.jpg|View of the Raritan River from the Edison Boat Basin
File:Raritan Flooding from Irene.jpg|Flooding damage from [[Hurricane Irene|Tropical Storm Irene]] in New Brunswick
File:Boundbrook041607.jpg|The Raritan River flooding Bound Brook, [[Spring Nor'easter of 2007|Spring Nor'easter]], April 16, 2007
File:RaritanRiver1948.PNG|A gauge inspector and the [[Manville, New Jersey|Manville]] gage house built into [[Van Veghten's Bridge]] abutment during the flood of December 31, 1948

</gallery>

==Communities on the Raritan==
(In alphabetical order with 2020 population)
* [[Bound Brook, New Jersey|Bound Brook]] (11,988)
* [[Bridgewater Township, New Jersey|Bridgewater]] (45,977)
* [[East Brunswick Township, New Jersey|East Brunswick]] (49,715)
* [[Edison, New Jersey|Edison]] (107,588)
* [[Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey|Franklin Township]] (68,364)
* [[Highland Park, New Jersey|Highland Park]] (15,072)
* [[Hillsborough, New Jersey|Hillsborough]] (43,276)
* [[Manville, New Jersey|Manville]] (10,953)
* [[Middlesex, New Jersey|Middlesex]] (14,636)
* [[New Brunswick, New Jersey|New Brunswick]] (55,266)
* [[Perth Amboy, New Jersey|Perth Amboy]] (55,436)
* [[Piscataway Township, New Jersey|Piscataway]] (60,804)
* [[Raritan, New Jersey|Raritan]] (7,835)
* [[Sayreville, New Jersey|Sayreville]] (45,345)
* [[Somerville, New Jersey|Somerville]] (12,346)
* [[South Amboy, New Jersey|South Amboy]] (9,411)
* [[South Bound Brook, New Jersey|South Bound Brook]] (4,863)
* [[Woodbridge Township, New Jersey|Woodbridge]] (103,639)

==Tributaries==
The Raritan river is formed by the confluence of:
* [[North Branch Raritan River]]
* [[South Branch Raritan River]]
Its main tributaries are:
* [[Green Brook]]
* [[Lawrence Brook]]
* [[Millstone River]]
* [[South River (Raritan River)|South River]]
Others are:
* Arrarat Creek
* Crows Mill Creek
* Cuckels Brook
* Dukes Brook
* Garron Creek
* [[Manalapan Brook]]
* [[Middle Brook (Raritan River)|Middle Brook]]
* [[Mile Run (New Jersey)|Mile Run]]
* Buell Brook
* Mill Brook
* Padilla Creek
* [[Peters Brook (Raritan River)|Peters Brook]]
* Pine Creek
* [[Randolph Brook]]
* Red Root Creek

==Lakes==
[[File:2024-04-26 15 40 55 View southwest up Weston's Mill Pond from the spillway near the northeast end of the Mill Pond Trail within Frank G. Helyar Woods at the Rutgers Gardens in New Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey.jpg|thumb|[[Westons Mill Pond]], with East Brunswick on the left and [[Rutgers University-New Brunswick|Rutgers University]] on the right]]
Lakes that are located within the Raritan Basin include:
* [[Budd Lake (New Jersey)|Budd Lake]]
* [[Dismal Swamp (New Jersey)|Dismal Swamp]]
* [[Duhernal Lake]]
* [[Thompson Park (Middlesex County, New Jersey)#Lake Manalapan|Lake Manalapan]]
* [[Lake Carnegie (New Jersey)|Lake Carnegie]]
* [[Lake Surprise (New Jersey)|Lake Surprise]]
* [[Lake Topanemus]]
* [[Manasquan Reservoir]]
* [[Round Valley Reservoir]]
* [[Spruce Run Recreation Area|Spruce Run Reservoir]]
* [[Westons Mill Pond]]

==See also==
* [[2024 New Jersey drone sightings]]
* [[List of New Jersey rivers]]
* [[Geography of New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary]]
* [[List of crossings of the Raritan River]]
* [[Raritan Bay]]
* [[Raritan Bayshore]]
* [[Sandy Hook Bay]]
* [[Delaware and Raritan Canal]]
* [[Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park]]
* [[Manasquan River]]
* [[Navesink River]]
* [[Passaic River]]
* [[Rahway River]]
* [[Shrewsbury River]]
* [[Arthur Kill]]
* [[Raritan River Project]]
* [[Hudson Canyon]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Raritan River}}
* [http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/drcanal.html Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park]
* [http://www.somersetcountyparks.org/maps/DukeIslandParkMap.pdf Duke Island Park]
* [http://www.raritanbasin.org/ Raritan Basin Watershed Alliance]
* [https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nj/nwis/current/?type=flow U.S. Geological Survey: NJ stream gaging stations]
* [http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/artsmallmouth05.htm Smallmouth bass article from the New Jersey Division of Fish Game and Wildlife]
* [http://www.raritanmillstone.org/ The Raritan-Millstone Heritage Alliance]
* [https://www.middlesexboro-nj.gov/green-brook-flood-control-commission Green Brook Flood Commission]
* [https://rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu/ Rutgers Gardens]
* [http://scenic-lawrencebrook.awardspace.info Scenic Lawrence Brook](pictures)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20220710150232/http://raritan.rutgers.edu/new-video-restoring-the-manalapan-brook-watershed-an-introduction/ Rutgers Cooperative Extension: Video Series on the Restoration of Manalapan Brook]
*[https://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/67/36?npage=2&ref=travellens.co Raritan Bay Waterfront Park]
*[https://visitjerseybayshore.com/ Visit New Jersey Bayshore]

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[[Category:Raritan River| ]]
[[Category:Rivers of Middlesex County, New Jersey]]
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