Smith Creek (Woodbridge Township, New Jersey) facts for kids
Smith Creek is a small stream located in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey, in the United States. It flows into a larger waterway called the Arthur Kill. This creek was named after John Smith, who was part of a group that bought the land for Woodbridge in 1667 from Governor Philip Carteret.
Exploring Smith Creek
Smith Creek is about 0.6 miles (about 1 kilometer) long that boats can travel on. Along this part of the creek, there are nine different marinas, which are places where boats can be docked. The creek is not very deep, usually less than 3.5 feet (about 1 meter) of water. This means only boats that don't need much water, called "shallow draft boats," can use it.
Water Flow and Importance
Smith Creek is a "minor freshwater tributary" to the Arthur Kill. This means it's a smaller stream that feeds fresh water into the larger Arthur Kill. The amount of water flowing in Smith Creek changes throughout the year. It has more water in the spring and less in the late summer and fall.
After a big storm called Hurricane Sandy, in 2013, Woodbridge Township made it a top priority to clean out the creek near the marinas. This process, called "dredging," helps make the creek deeper so boats can move more easily.
Nearby Areas and History
About 0.6 miles (about 1 kilometer) north of where Smith Creek meets the Arthur Kill, there is a power plant owned by Public Service Enterprise Group. A little further north, about one mile from the mouth of the creek, there is a facility that refines and stores oil.
Long ago, large sailing ships that crossed the Atlantic Ocean used to dock in Woodbridge. However, over time, mud and dirt from nearby clay pits filled up Smith Creek, making it too shallow for big ships. Until the 1880s, Woodbridge was a popular seaside resort where people would go for vacations.
