Musconetcong River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Musconetcong River |
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A view looking down the Musconetcong River between Warren and Morris Counties.
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| Country | United States |
| State | New Jersey |
| Type: | Scenic, Recreational |
| Designated: | December 22, 2006 |
The Musconetcong River is a cool river in northwestern New Jersey. It is about 45.7 miles (73.5 km) long. This river is a tributary, which means it flows into a bigger river. It joins the large Delaware River.
The Musconetcong River flows through pretty mountains and countryside. A special part of it is even called a "National Wild and Scenic River." This means it is protected for its natural beauty and importance.
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Where the River Flows
The Musconetcong River starts at Lake Hopatcong. This lake is on the border of Sussex and Morris counties. From there, it flows through another lake called Lake Musconetcong.
The river then travels southwest. It passes by towns like Stephensburg and New Hampton. It also goes south of Washington. The river flows along the side of the Pohatcong Mountain ridge. Finally, it meets the Delaware River across from Riegelsville, Pennsylvania. This spot is about 10 miles (16 km) south of Phillipsburg.
River History and Development
The Musconetcong River does not flow through any big cities. It has not had much industrial development over time. In the 1700s, the hills around the river were mostly cleared. People cut down trees to make charcoal. This charcoal was used for the iron industry in the area.
By the mid-1800s, the local iron industry began to slow down. This was partly because the Morris Canal was built. The canal ran along the upper part of the river. It was used to bring coal from Pennsylvania to northern New Jersey.
Later, railroads became popular. They replaced canals for moving goods. The Morris Canal was no longer used. The pools of water along the river that supplied the canal became popular. People built summer cottages there. Today, you can still see parts of these old pools. You can also see remnants of the canal itself along the river.
Ancient History of the Valley
People have lived in the Musconetcong Valley for a very long time. Evidence shows humans were here about 12,000 years ago. This was right after the last ice age ended.
The Plenge Site is along the lower part of the river in Warren County. It is a very important archaeological site. It is one of only two major Paleo-Indian sites found in New Jersey. Experts consider it one of the most important sites in the northeastern United States.
River Flow and Measurements
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) measures the river's flow. They have a special gauge at Bloomsbury. This gauge has been recording the river's flow since 1904.
The average flow of the river at Bloomsbury is about 244 cubic feet per second (cfs). The highest flows ever recorded happened in 2011. This was due to a big storm called Hurricane Irene.
The Mantis Man Legend
There is an urban legend about the Musconetcong River. Some people say a creature known as the Musconetcong River Mantis Man lives there. This creature is described as being part human and part insect. It is a fun local story!
Images for kids
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Source of the river at the Lake Hopatcong Dam
