Waterways

Waterways
( 40.07788, -74.59600 )

Here is a map you can use to see just water features. The level of detail increases as you zoom in. The boundary lines have been deleted, as they often follow and obscure water features. It is interesting to trace the rivers to their headwaters.

In the north, the state's two largest river systems are the Passaic and the Raritan, which intertwine. In the south, the Mullica forms a sizable river system. Only one river originates in New Jersey and leaves the state - the Walkill in the north. All others are captured by either the Delaware or the Hudson, or the extensive southern bays. The orange line is approximately the dividing line between east (Hudson/Atlantic) and west (Delaware River) drainages. The red line is the "fall line" - the boundary between the Piedmont uplands and Atlantic coastal plain. And that's your lesson in hydrology.


Lake Lefferts
( 40.41181, -74.24096 )

  1. Aeromarine Industrial Park ( 40.44306, -74.18967 )
  2. Lake Lefferts - Matawan ( 40.41563, -74.23362 )
  3. Raritan Bay - Cliffwood (E) ( 40.45089, -74.22033 )
  4. Raritan Bay - Cliffwood (W) ( 40.45216, -74.22269 )
  5. Raritan Bay - Cliffwood (Whale Creek) ( 40.45090, -74.22274 )
  6. Raritan Bay - Keyport (E) ( 40.44095, -74.19534 )
  7. Raritan Bay - Keyport (W) ( 40.43921, -74.20160 )
  8. Raritan Bay - Laurence Harbor (E) ( 40.45877, -74.24622 )
  9. Raritan Bay - Laurence Harbor (W) ( 40.46223, -74.25482 )
  10. Superfund Site ( 40.45776, -74.24129 )
  11. Wagner's Marina - Matawan Creek ( 40.43540, -74.21416 )

Lake Lefferts is a man-made lake, the result of the construction in 1928 of Lake Lefferts Dam, which captures and stores the flow of Matawan Creek. This is the nicest spot in northern Monmouth County. The lake is in three parts:

  • The lower part that contains the dam and the launch area and extends up to the Route 34 bridge. This part is fairly deep and free of obstructions.
  • The upper part from Route 34 to Route 516. This part is much shallower and weedy, especially at the far end.
  • An unusable section beyond Route 516. This part is pretty much just mud. It may look like water, but trust me - don't go there.