List of landforms in Sussex County, New Jersey facts for kids

Kittatinny Valley seen from the Sunrise Mountain look-out on Kittatinny Mountain

Welcome to Sussex County, New Jersey! This amazing place in the northwestern part of New Jersey is full of cool natural features. From tall mountains to winding rivers and sparkling lakes, Sussex County has a lot to explore. Let's take a journey through its unique landforms!

Mountains and Hills of Sussex County

Sussex County is home to many mountains and hills. These are part of two main areas: the Ridge and Valley Appalachians and the Highlands. The Ridge and Valley Appalachians are known for their long, parallel ridges and valleys. The Highlands area has older, more rugged mountains.

Famous Mountain Peaks

• Kittatinny Mountain: This is a long ridge that runs through the county. It's part of the Appalachian Mountains.
  • High Point (New Jersey): The highest spot in New Jersey is found here! It's a great place to see amazing views.
  • Sunrise Mountain (New Jersey): Another beautiful spot on Kittatinny Mountain, perfect for watching the sunrise.
• Wallpack Ridge: This is another important ridge in the county.
• Wawayanda Mountain: A large mountain in the Highlands region.
• Sparta Mountains: A group of mountains near the town of Sparta.

Other Mountains and Hills

Here are more mountains and hills you can find in Sussex County:

• Allamuchy Mountain
• Bird Mountain (New Jersey)
• Blue Mountain (New Jersey)
• Cage Hill
• Culver Ridge
• Hamburg Mountains (New Jersey)
• Lookout Mountain (New Jersey)
• Maple Hill (New Jersey)
• Paradise Mountain (New Jersey)
• Pimple Hills
• Pochuck Mountain
• Rattlesnake Mountain (New Jersey)
• Rutan Hill
• Smiths Hill
• Sterling Hill (New Jersey)

Valleys of Sussex County

Valleys are low areas between mountains or hills. They are often carved by rivers or glaciers. Sussex County has some important valleys.

Major Valleys

• Kittatinny Valley: This wide valley runs alongside Kittatinny Mountain. It's a beautiful area with farms and towns.
• Wallkill Valley: This valley follows the Wallkill River as it flows north.
• Wallpack Valley: Another scenic valley located near Wallpack Ridge.

Rivers and Streams

Tillmans Ravine and Brook, Walpack Township

Rivers and streams are flowing bodies of water. They are very important for nature and people. They provide water and homes for many animals.

Main Rivers

• Wallkill River: This river flows north through the county.
• Pequannock River: A river that starts in Sussex County.
• Pequest River: Another important river in the area.
• Pochuck Creek: A large stream that feeds into other rivers.
• Delaware River: This mighty river forms the western border of Sussex County.

Smaller Streams and Tributaries

Many smaller streams flow into the main rivers. These are called tributaries.

• Wallkill River tributaries:
  • Papakating Creek
    • West Branch Papakating Creek
    • Neepaulakating Creek
    • Clove Brook
• Pochuck Creek tributaries:
  • Black Creek (New Jersey)
  • Wawayanda Creek
• Delaware River tributaries:
  • Flat Brook
    • Tillmans Brook
    • Big Flat Brook
    • Little Flat Brook
  • Paulins Kill
    • Dry Brook
    • Culver Brook (also called West Branch Paulins Kill)
    • Nelden Brook
  • Musconetcong River
    • Lubbers Run
    • Punkhorn Creek

Lakes and Ponds

Lakes and ponds are bodies of still water. They are popular spots for fishing, boating, and swimming. Sussex County has many beautiful lakes.

Popular Lakes

• Brau Kettle
• Culver's Lake
• Lake Hopatcong: This is the largest lake in New Jersey!
• Lake Lackawanna
• Lake Mohawk
• Lake Musconetcong
• Lake Owassa
• Muckshaw Ponds

Protected Areas

Sussex County has many special places that are protected to keep nature safe. These include state parks, forests, and wildlife refuges. They are great for hiking, camping, and enjoying the outdoors.

Parks and Refuges

• Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area: A huge area along the Delaware River with beautiful scenery.
• High Point State Park: Home to New Jersey's highest point and a tall monument.
• Stokes State Forest: A large forest perfect for outdoor adventures.
• Swartswood State Park: Features Swartswood Lake, great for swimming and boating.
• Kittatinny Valley State Park: Offers trails for walking and biking through the valley.
• Wawayanda State Park: Known for its large lake and hiking trails.
• Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge: A protected area for wildlife, especially birds.