Oakeys Brook (New Jersey) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oakeys Brook |
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Oakeys Brook near Brunswick Acres School in North Brunswick
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Oakeys Brook map
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| Country | United States |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | 40°25′56″N 74°32′39″W / 40.43222°N 74.54417°W |
| River mouth | 52 ft (16 m) 40°25′06″N 74°29′29″W / 40.41833°N 74.49139°W |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Lawrence Brook, Raritan River, Atlantic Ocean |
| River system | Raritan River system |
| Tributaries |
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Oakeys Brook is a small stream, also called a tributary, that flows into Lawrence Brook. Lawrence Brook then joins the Raritan River in Middlesex County, New Jersey, in the United States. It's like a small arm of a bigger river system!
Contents
Where Oakeys Brook Flows
Oakeys Brook starts near Beekman Road in central South Brunswick. This is its official beginning point. From there, it flows through different areas.
The brook travels through the Nassau Square neighborhood. It then crosses Henderson Road. You can even see it flowing right next to the Brunswick Acres School!
After that, it goes under Route 1. Other small streams join Oakeys Brook along its journey. It flows past Black Horse Lane and crosses railroad tracks. Another important stream, Cow Yard Brook, also joins it.
Finally, Oakeys Brook turns east and crosses Route 130. It then crosses Davidson Mill Road before ending its journey. It empties into Farrington Lake, which is also near Davidson Mill Road.
Amazing Animal Life
Even though Oakeys Brook flows near many homes, it's a lively place for animals! It's a small ecosystem, which means it's a community of living things interacting with their environment.
You can find many tadpoles and frogs living in the stream. They especially like the areas upstream where natural dams sometimes create small ponds. These ponds are perfect hiding spots.
Sometimes, you might even spot snakes and turtles near the water. Upstream, lots of small fish swim in the brook. These fish provide food for different types of birds that live nearby.
Easy to Reach
Oakeys Brook flows through many developed areas. This means it's often easy for people to get close to it.
The Brook's Ground and Water
The bottom of Oakeys Brook is mostly made of clay. Upstream, the mud can look black because of decaying plants and other natural materials. This dark, muddy bottom is a great place for amphibians like frogs and turtles to hide.
Farther downstream, you might find a few more rocks. However, the stream still has a muddy bottom and can be quite deep. In some spots near Black Horse Lane, the stream flows through wetlands. Wetlands are areas where the land is covered by water, either permanently or seasonally.
Oakeys Brook is generally in a low-lying area. It collects water from different places, including storm drainage systems. This means water from rain often flows into it. It also gets water from swampy areas and natural springs downstream. Because a lot of its water comes from storm drainage, the brook can swell and become much bigger when it rains a lot.
Streams Joining Oakeys Brook
Here are some of the streams that flow into Oakeys Brook:
Other Nearby Streams
These streams are also part of the larger Lawrence Brook system, just like Oakeys Brook:
- Beaverdam Brook
- Great Ditch
- Ireland Brook
- Sawmill Brook
- Sucker Brook
- Terhune Run
- Unnamed Brook in Rutgers Gardens, sometimes called Doc Brook
- Unnamed Brook in Rutgers' Helyar Woods
Images for kids
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Oakeys Brook near its source, in the Nassau Square housing development
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Oakeys Brook in Nassau Square a little downstream
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Oakeys Brook crossing Henderson Road
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Oakeys Brook near Brunswick Acres Elementary School
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Oakeys Brook flowing through Brunswick Acres Elementary School
