Green Brook facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Green Brook |
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|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | 410 ft (120 m) 40°39′24″N 74°26′40″W / 40.65667°N 74.44444°W |
| River mouth | 18 ft (5.5 m) 40°35′3″N 74°30′8″W / 40.58417°N 74.50222°W |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Raritan River, Atlantic Ocean |
| River system | Raritan River system |
| Tributaries |
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Green Brook is a small river, also called a tributary, that flows into the larger Raritan River in central New Jersey, United States. This brook is so important that a nearby town, Green Brook Township, is named after it!
Contents
The Green Brook's Journey
The Green Brook starts its journey high up in the Watchung Mountains. It begins at about 410 feet (125 meters) above sea level in an area called Free Acres. This spot is right on the border of Berkeley Heights and Watchung.
Flowing Through Towns
As the brook flows, it first heads northeast. For a while, it forms a natural border between Union and Somerset Counties. Then, it turns south and travels through a valley within the Watchung Mountains.
A smaller stream called the Blue Brook joins it near Seeley’s Pond. The Green Brook then continues flowing southwest. It passes through the towns of Plainfield and North Plainfield. In some parts, between Watchung Avenue and Madison Avenue, the brook actually flows underground!
Meeting Other Streams
The Stony Brook joins the Green Brook when it reaches Green Brook Park. The main brook keeps flowing southwest, creating another border. This time, it separates Middlesex and Somerset Counties.
Further along, the Bonygutt Brook adds its water to the Green Brook near Warrenville Road in Middlesex. Then, the Bound Brook connects with it in the northwest part of Mountain View Park, also in Middlesex.
Reaching the Raritan River
The Green Brook continues its southwestern path. It turns south just before the Ambrose Brook joins it near Lincoln Boulevard in Middlesex. Finally, the Green Brook finishes its journey. It flows into the Raritan River in the towns of Middlesex and Bound Brook. At this point, the Green Brook is only about 18 feet (5.5 meters) above sea level.
Green Brook Flood Control Project
The Green Brook area has faced big challenges with flooding. This is especially true for the town of Bound Brook. Part of Bound Brook is naturally located in a floodplain, which means it's a flat area next to a river that often gets flooded.
Why the Project Started
In the early 1970s, two major floods hit the area. These floods, in June 1971 and August 1973, caused millions of dollars in damage to homes and businesses. They also affected many lives along the Green Brook and Raritan Rivers. Because of this, a plan called the Green Brook Flood Control Project was first suggested. The goal was to build things that would help control the water and prevent future floods.
Challenges and Renewed Interest
For many years, the project didn't make much progress. This was mainly because there wasn't enough money from the government to fund it. However, when Hurricane Floyd hit in 1999, it caused even more damage and problems in the Green Brook area. This event made people realize again how important the flood control project was.
Since 1999, some parts of the project have been built, especially in Bound Brook. But even now, getting enough money from the government continues to slow down the progress of this important project.
Tributaries
The Green Brook has several smaller streams, or tributaries, that flow into it:
