Tuckahoe River (New Jersey) facts for kids
The Tuckahoe River is a cool river in southern New Jersey, United States. It's about 27.6 miles (44.4 kilometers) long. This river is special because it's a "blackwater river."
Blackwater rivers get their dark color from plants decaying in the water. The Tuckahoe River flows through the southern part of the Pinelands. Finally, it empties into the big Atlantic Ocean. It's one of the few blackwater rivers in the northeastern United States.
Where the River Starts and Flows
The Tuckahoe River begins in the middle of Atlantic County. This is about 5 miles (8 kilometers) east of a town called Vineland. From there, the river first flows south.
Then, it turns and flows east. As it moves, it helps create the border between Atlantic County and Cape May County. The river then passes by the town of Tuckahoe.
After Tuckahoe, the river becomes wide enough for boats to travel on it. This means it is "navigable." The last 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) of the river are like a widening bay. This part is called an "estuary."
An estuary is where fresh river water mixes with salty ocean water. This area is found downstream from Tuckahoe, through a place called Great Cedar Swamp. The Tuckahoe River eventually flows into Great Egg Harbor Bay. This bay is just south of where the Great Egg Harbor River meets the ocean. It's also about 5 miles (8 kilometers) southwest of Atlantic City.
River Branches and Streams
Rivers often have smaller streams or branches that flow into them. These are called "tributaries." The Tuckahoe River has at least one known tributary.
- Cedar Swamp Creek
