Overpeck Creek facts for kids

Overpeck Creek is a small river, about 8 miles (13 km) long, in northeastern New Jersey. It flows through Bergen County and is a tributary of the Hackensack River. The lower part of the creek is a wide, watery area called an estuary. This area is connected to the New Jersey Meadowlands, which are important wetlands.

Where Overpeck Creek Flows

The creek starts in Tenafly, New Jersey. This is near the Palisades cliffs and about 1 mile (1.6 km) from the Hudson River. From there, it flows south through several towns. These towns include Englewood, Teaneck, Leonia, and Palisades Park. As it flows, it passes by the large and popular Overpeck County Park. Finally, Overpeck Creek joins the Hackensack River between Ridgefield Park and Little Ferry.

A Look Back in Time

Overpeck Creek has a long history. Long ago, Native Americans called the creek "Tantaqua." A Hackensack village was located along its banks. In 1642, some Europeans tried to settle there, but they left after conflicts with the Lenape people. Later, in the 17th and 18th centuries, several settlements grew up. These were known together as the "English Neighborhood."

Travel and Transportation

For many years, the creek was a difficult barrier for travelers. It lay along the main land route west of the Hudson River. People had trouble crossing it until modern roads and bridges were built in the 1800s. The area grew more easily once railroads arrived. Lines like the New Jersey Midland Railway and the West Shore Railroad helped connect the region. Today, there are plans to bring back more train service along the creek.

Bridges and Navigation

Even though Overpeck Creek is technically navigable (meaning boats could use it), its mouth is blocked. Two railroad bridges cross the creek there. These bridges belong to the CSX River Line and the NYS&W railroads. By law, these bridges should open for boats if given 24 hours' notice.

Bridge Challenges

The NYS&W bridge can still be opened by hand. However, the CSX bridge has not been able to open since it was rebuilt in 2002. This means the railroad company could be fined if they don't open it when asked. In 2017, money was set aside to replace this bridge. Work was supposed to start in 2018, but the bridge actually collapsed under a train in August 2018.

Protecting the Environment

Like many rivers near industrial areas, Overpeck Creek faced serious pollution problems in the 20th century. This happened during a time when many factories were operating. In the 1950s, special gates were put in the creek. These gates largely stopped the natural flow of tides into the nearby wetlands.

Restoring the Wetlands

Today, many groups are working to clean up and restore the wetlands around Overpeck Creek. This is an important project to help the environment and bring back healthy habitats for plants and animals.