Cohansey River facts for kids
The Cohansey River (also called Cohansey Creek) is a river in southern New Jersey, United States. It is about 30.6 kilometers (19 miles) long. This river helps drain about 280 square kilometers (108 square miles) of land. This land is mostly farms and forests near the Delaware Bay.
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About the Cohansey River
The Cohansey River starts in the middle of Salem County. This is about 8 kilometers (5 miles) southeast of Woodstown. From there, it flows south through Cumberland County.
Where Does It Flow?
The river connects with Sunset Lake. Sunset Lake gets its water from Mary Elmer Lake. Both of these lakes are part of Bridgeton's park system.
When the river reaches Bridgeton, it becomes wide enough for boats. However, it can be very shallow when the tide is low. Sometimes, there's only a few inches of water in downtown Bridgeton.
The river then gets much wider, forming a tidal estuary. This part is about 16 kilometers (10 miles) long. It flows south, then west, into Cohansey Cove. This cove is part of Delaware Bay, about 11 kilometers (7 miles) southwest of Bridgeton. The area where the river meets the bay has many wetlands and salt marshes.
A Bit of History
Long ago, during colonial times, the Cohansey River was a good place for ships to anchor. These ships were often heading to Philadelphia.
The Greenwich Tea Party
In 1774, a small village called Greenwich was on the river near its mouth. Something similar to the famous Boston Tea Party happened here. People burned imported tea to protest against taxes. In colonial times, the river was also known as the Cesaria River.
The Cohansey River is used mostly by small boats and for fun. Sometimes, fuel is transported to Bridgeton. There is a light called Cohansey Light that helps guide boats. It is 13 meters (42 feet) above the water.
There is a special path dug through the land to make it easier for boats to enter the river. This path is called a dredged cut. It helps boats get to the river more directly.
