Canoe Brook facts for kids

Canoe Brook is a small tributary (which means it's a stream that flows into a larger river) of the Passaic River in New Jersey, a state in the United States. It's like a smaller helper stream that adds its water to a bigger river.

What is Canoe Brook?

Canoe Brook is a narrow waterway that usually flows gently. On average, it's about 6 inches (15.2 cm) deep, which is not very deep at all! However, when there's a lot of rain, its water level can rise quickly to more than a foot (30.5 cm) deep.

Where is Canoe Brook Located?

This brook flows through the town of Livingston, New Jersey. You can find it running behind several important town buildings, like the police station and the town hall.

When Does Canoe Brook Overflow?

Sometimes, especially after very heavy rainfall, Canoe Brook can overflow its banks. This means the water rises so high that it spills out of the brook and onto the surrounding land.

In the early 1980s, a very serious flood happened. The water rose so much that it nearly reached the bridge on Northfield Avenue. It completely covered the bridge at East Hobart Gap and even flowed across East Hobart Gap Road near Burnett Street. This flood caused a lot of damage, including flooding a nearby home, which later had to be taken down.

Rebuilding the Brook

Because of the flooding, parts of Canoe Brook were rebuilt in the mid-1980s. From the Swan Street area all the way to East Hobart Gap Road, the brook was made stronger with concrete and stone. This helps to control the water flow and prevent future damage.

Another major flood happened in 1999 during Hurricane Floyd. The amount of water was so huge that it couldn't fit through the tunnels (called culverts) under the bridges. The water flowed right over the bridges and into nearby homes, rising more than three meters (almost 10 feet) in some places!

Why is Canoe Brook Important?

Canoe Brook isn't just a stream; it also has a long history!

Long ago, in the 19th century, early settlers in Livingston used the brook as an important power source. There was a sawmill built right next to the brook near what is now Northfield Avenue. A sawmill uses water power to cut wood, which was very important for building homes and other structures back then.

Also, one of the oldest buildings in Livingston, called the Force Hill homestead, is located very close to the brook, just a short distance upstream. This shows how important the brook was to the first people who settled in the area.