Ramapo River facts for kids
The Ramapo River is a cool waterway about 30 miles (48 km) long. It flows through parts of southern New York and northern New Jersey in the United States. A tributary is like a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger one. The Ramapo River is a tributary of the Pompton River.
Contents
Where the River Flows
The Ramapo River starts in Round Lake, a small lake in Monroe, New York. This area is in the mountains of central Orange County, New York. From there, the river flows southeast through the village. Long ago, in 1741, a dam was built on the river here for a sawmill and a grist mill.
The river then reaches Harriman. An old chemical plant used to be here, but it has been taken down. After Harriman, the river turns south into western Rockland County, New York. It flows through the town of Ramapo, New York, then crosses into northern Bergen County, New Jersey.
In New Jersey, the river flows southwest. It runs along the east side of the Ramapo Mountains. The Ramapo River then flows into Potash Lake in Oakland. From there, it goes into Pompton Lake in Pompton Lakes. The river that leaves Pompton Lake forms the border between Pompton Lakes and Wayne.
The Ramapo River meets the Pequannock River where Pequannock and Wayne meet. This meeting point forms the Pompton River. Some of the Ramapo River's water is sent to the nearby Wanaque Reservoir.
The Ramapo River is a popular spot for fly fishing. Many people come here to catch trout. Major roads like New York State Route 17 and the New York State Thruway were built in the river valley. A commuter train line, the Port Jervis Line, also follows the river between Harriman and Suffern, New York.
River History
Long ago, groups of the Lenape tribe lived along the Ramapo River. The Lenape were a large group of Native American people. They lived in many coastal areas of the mid-Atlantic region. Some Lenape people moved into the mountains when Dutch and English colonists arrived.
The Lenape lived in areas that are now Long Island and New York City. They also lived in northern and southern New Jersey. Their lands stretched south through Pennsylvania into Delaware.
Ancient Discoveries
Many small archaeological sites have been found in Oakland, New Jersey. These sites show that ancient people lived there long ago. An archaeological site is a place where scientists find old tools and remains from past human life.
Areas near Oakland also have many fossilized crustaceans. Fossils are the remains of ancient plants or animals preserved in rock. Crustaceans are a type of animal with a hard shell, like crabs or lobsters. You can find these fossils along the river banks.
Modern Lenape People
Today, descendants of the Lenape tribe live in the area. One group is the Ramapough Lenape Indian Tribe. They are also known as the Ramapough Mountain Indians. The state of New Jersey officially recognized them in 1980.
Many Ramapough Lenape people have lived in Mahwah and Ringwood, New Jersey. They also live in Hillburn, New York. Their families have been in these areas since the late colonial period. Over time, they also married people from other backgrounds.
Torne Mountain Lookout
Torne Mountain is a peak in Harriman State Park. It is about 1,130 feet (344 meters) tall. This mountain overlooks the Ramapo Pass. It also looks down on the remains of the old Ramapo Iron Works. This iron works was a busy place long ago.
During the American Revolution, Torne Mountain was used as a lookout. People watched for British ships moving on the Hudson River. There's a legend that General George Washington lost his watch on the mountain. Some say you can still hear it ticking in a rock crevice!
