Navesink River

Navesink River
source
Name	Navesink River

Navesink River. The Navesink River is a significant waterway located in Monmouth County, New Jersey, flowing through the Raritan Bay and emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. It forms the boundary between Middletown Township, New Jersey, and Red Bank, New Jersey, and Rumson, New Jersey. The river is approximately 8 miles long and is fed by several tributaries, including the Swimming River and the Parker's Creek, which are connected to the Shrewsbury River and the Manasquan River.

Geography

The Navesink River is situated in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area, near the Sandy Hook Bay and the Gateway National Recreation Area. The river's watershed covers an area of approximately 50 square miles, including parts of Holmdel Township, New Jersey, Colts Neck Township, New Jersey, and Fair Haven, New Jersey. The Navesink River is connected to the Shark River and the Manasquan River through a network of waterways, including the Point Pleasant Canal and the Lake Takanassee. The river's geography is characterized by a mix of salt marshes, mudflats, and beaches, which provide habitat for a diverse range of wildlife, including osprey, bald eagles, and diamondback terrapins, as seen in the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge.

History

The Navesink River has a rich history, with evidence of human habitation dating back to the Lenape Native American tribe, who settled in the area near the Navesink River Bridge and the Monmouth County Historical Association Museum. The river was an important transportation route for the Lenape people, who used it to trade with other tribes, including the Iroquois Confederacy and the Wampanoag Tribe. In the 17th century, the river was settled by European colonizers, including the Dutch West India Company and the British East India Company, who established trade relationships with the Native American tribes and the New Amsterdam colony. The Navesink River played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War, with the Battle of Monmouth taking place nearby, involving George Washington, Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis, and the Continental Army. The river was also an important location for the United States Navy during World War II, with the Naval Weapons Station Earle and the Fleet Sonar School located nearby, and the USS Navesink and the USS Monmouth operating in the area.

Ecology

The Navesink River is home to a diverse range of ecosystems, including salt marshes, mudflats, and submerged aquatic vegetation. The river's watershed is characterized by a mix of agricultural land use, urban development, and natural areas, including the Hartshorne Woods Park and the Seabrook-Wilson House. The river is an important habitat for a range of wildlife species, including the osprey, bald eagles, and diamondback terrapins, as well as fish species such as the striped bass and the bluefish, which are also found in the Chesapeake Bay and the Delaware Bay. The Navesink River is also an important stopover point for migratory birds, including the red knot and the semipalmated sandpiper, which are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Endangered Species Act, and are studied by the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Recreation

The Navesink River is a popular destination for recreational activities, including boating, fishing, and kayaking. The river is home to several marinas, including the Monmouth Marina and the Rumson Marina, which offer boat launches and fishing charters. The Navesink River is also a popular spot for birdwatching, with several bird sanctuaries and nature reserves located along the river, including the Manasquan Reservoir and the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area. The river is also home to several parks and beaches, including the Hartshorne Woods Park and the Sandy Hook Beach, which offer hiking trails, picnic areas, and swimming areas, and are managed by the National Park Service and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Conservation Efforts

The Navesink River is protected by several conservation efforts, including the Navesink River Watershed Protection Plan and the Monmouth County Open Space Program. The river is also protected by the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, which are enforced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The Navesink River is also home to several non-profit organizations, including the Navesink River Watershed Association and the Monmouth Conservation Foundation, which work to protect and restore the river's ecosystems and wildlife habitats, in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation and the The Nature Conservancy. The river's conservation efforts are also supported by the New Jersey Legislature and the United States Congress, which have passed laws such as the Coastal Zone Management Act and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to protect the river and its watershed. Category:Rivers of New Jersey