Microsoft PowerPoint - Rancocas Creek National Water Trail master - 4211116

4/12/2018 

• 4 Rancocas Creek National Water Trail Initiative 

www . rcnwt 

. com 

1

4/12/2018 

4 Rancocas Creek National Water Trail Nomination 

2

National 

Water 

Trails 

Seven “Pillars” 

1. 

Recreation Opportunities 

2. 

Education 4 H20 Resources 

3. 

Conservation 

4 . Public Info / Social Media “beta” 

5. 

Community Outreach and Promotion 

6. 

Planning and Development 

7. 

Stewardship and Maintenance 

4/12/2018 


3

is 

a Local, 

R ancocas Creek National Water Trail 

Inititative 

Regional and National Resource for Conservation & Recreation. 

N Branch 

S 

Branch 

SW Branch 

Iron-Works 

Park 

5 Alive Winter Bass Tournment, 

Mirror Lake 

Rancocas State Park 

Paddle 

Sports 

Multi-Use 

Public Access 

presents 

ecological, 

R ancocas Creek National Water Trail Proposed 

historical, aesthetic, recreational, scientific and educational 

individuals, groups and communities. 

value to 

www.rcnwt.com

ef: USGS Landsat 


Advocacy 

4 

Public Purpose 

4/12/2018 

5

Distinctive towns, 

villages and 

communities w/ real 

pride in their area. 

Great 

opportunities for multi- 

use 

recreation activities and learning 

experiences. 

Expansive variety of wildlife 

and habitats including rare 

and important species. 

N Branch 

Well conserved 

historical features and 

a rich cultural 

heritage. 

An environment shaped by centuries of 

history, navigation, agriculture and 

commerce, embracing a future of 

enhanced public access. 

. 

S Branch 

Tranquil, 

semi- 

wild, 

unspoiled places, rural 

character and urban 

settings. 

Diverse , inspirational 

landscapes and 

breathtaking scenery 

and views 

4/12/2018 


6

Rancocas Creek Chronology 

Cultural, Educational and Recreational 

1678 

1928 

1 ,000 BC 

1900 

1678 

1778 

1875 

1900 

1910 

1944 

1960 

1960 

2015 

3015 

2015 

1944 

3015 

ALL 

DATES 

APPROXIMATE 

4/12/2018 

7 

4 Rancocas Creek National Water Trail Nomination

Entrance onto US DOD JBMDL through 

waterbodies is prohibited by federal law 

4/12/2018 


8 

8

Rancocas Creek National Water Trail 

Year 

Round Multi-Use Access 

N Branch 

M t. Holly – Oxbow 

S Branch 

SW Branch 

Monroe Street Park 

SW Branch-Medford-Kirby's 

Mill 

S Branch 


Headwaters 

N Branch 

Bass 

Alive Fishing Tournemant 

Winter 

Bass-Mirror 

Lake 

Long Bridge County Park 

Hainesport 

M t. Holly – N Branch-Oxbow 

S Branch 

Community Meetings 

Mt. Holly Enviro Cmte 

Mt. 

Holly- N Branch 

M ill Dam – M t. Holly – N Branch 

N BrancPaddle 

Safe 

4/12/2018 


9 

N Branch 

N Branch 

Adopt a Creek

Rancocas Creek National 

Water Trail 

Mission Statement 

Initiative 

To promote the Rancocas Creek as a free-flowing non-tidal 

and tide- 

water creek offering safe, inexpensive and 

low-impact 

multi-use recreational use and paddle- 

sport activities on these local waters and surrounding 

regional parklands; to preserve private property rights and community along the Rancocas Creek; to actively 

enhance the conservation of the sensitive natural areas and wildlife habitat; to promote heritage and 

environmental tourism through education and community support; and, to refocus on the Rancocas Creek as 

an attraction for local residents and visitors. 

Pen and Ink Drawings Public Domain Credit for 

Robert 

Savannah, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service


NWT Designation Supplement 

Atlas of Destination 

Attributes, Points of 

Interest and Special 

Study Sites . . . 

Prepared by the RCNWT Steering Committee

Contents 

- 

One Step Ahead - 

Points of 

Interest Along the Rancocas Creek 

• Overview of Atlas 

• Mission Statement 

• Part One: Planning and Policy Process 

• Part Two: Points of Interest 

• Geographic Synopsis of the Rancocas Creek 

• 


Nomination Poster 

• General Overview of RCNWT 

• RCNWT It’s a Wonderful Multi- 

Use Water 

Trail 

• RCNWT Regional Location 

• P lanning Cycle – Heritage as Opportunity 

Multi-Site Data Base 

• Coalitions Ripple Flow Chart 

• 

N Branch Headwater Area 

• Early Settler' s 

• Cretaceous Period 

• Browns Mills 

• Camp Dix (JDP MDL) 

• Rancocas Creek N Branch 

• Mirror 

Lake - Browns Mills - Pemberton 

• Flora and Fauna 

• Headwater Area SW Branch 

Rancocas Creek 

• 

Burlington County Parks Canoe 


• Industrialization of the Creek - 

Smithville 

• West New Jersey Rail Lines 

• Camping Areas 

• South Branch 

• M edford Canoe Trail – Kirby's 

M ill – Dr. of the Pines 

• Lumberton to Hainesport County 

Park Landing 

• Hainesport to the Confluence 

• Wishbone Paddle Trail Segment 

• Mt. Holly’s Oxbow and Flood 

Bypass Channel 

• 

Hugh Campbell - Artist 

• M unicipal Access Plan – DVRPC 

• M ill Dam – Head of Tide 

• North n South Branch Tidal 

• 

King Street Flood Bypass Channel 

Weir 

• Mt. Holly to the Confluence 

• Fishing / Hunting / Wildlife 

• Timbuctoo 

• Rancocas State Park Natural Area 

• Rancocas Nature Center 

• Long Bridge County Park 

• 

Coalitions are 

Like Ecosystems 

• Rancocas and other State Parks 

• Hunting Safety 

• Confluence 

• Texas Phosphorous Plant 

• C enterton Bridge – Main Stem 

Multi-Use Playground 

• Rancocas Creek Benthic Organisms 

• Main Stem Rancocas Creek 

• Multi-Use 

Creek Activities and Marinas 

• Main Stem Parks, Protected Parklands 

• Willingboro and Mill Creek 

• Amico Island Burlington County Park 

• Delaware River Ports and Harbors 

• Rancocas Creek Agriculture 

• Pirates and Admiralty of the Rancocas Creek 

• Multi-Use Recreation Opportunities 

• Food-Dining-Refreshments 

• P rohibition – Gun Smuggling Along the Creek 

• Underground Railroad 

• Kayaking Safety 

• Application of Kuhn- 

Tucker Model to Demand 

Water Trail Trips (Random Utility Model) NC 

Model 

• Extent of Tidal Influences 

• Other 

• Credits 

• Scientific Studies 

• Indians 

• Mt. Misery Headwater Area 

• 

Von Ewald Map of Rancocas 

Valley (1776) 

• Oxbow 

• Burlington County Greenway and 

Municipal Pocket Parks 

• Maritime and Port Connections 

• References (public domain) 

• Fat Cat Paddling Bye 

• Rancocas Creek Mill Economies 

Cover Photo: Rancocas Creek, N. Branch 

Rancocas 

State Park - Westampton, NJ 

• Bridgeboro Bridge 

photo ref: winter diving duck - internet photo grab neuvision 

4/12/2018 


w/ special thanks on content to pw schopp 

12

a ppreciates an enlightened use 


Atlas 

( with applicable credit) of the existing ‘Rancocas Creek Greenway' resources in a p ractical way 

that 

broad range of enthusiastic parties and numerous activities highlighting diverse participatory benefits from coordination, 

leadership. 

Destination attributes from the headwaters to the Delaware River showcase community heritage, natural history , 

recreation opportunities and cultural resources along the Rancocas Creek National Water Trail. 

identifies a 

pub 

lic advocacy and 

multi- 

use

Part One: 

Planning Process, Public Policy Concerns 

for Best Management Practices (BMP’s); 

Community Support and Citizen Interest 

Mill 

Race - Mt. 

Holly Oxbow 

High Tide 

- N Branch 

Prepared 4 the RCNWT Nomination

It’s 

a Wonderful Route - Charting Practical Pathways to Synergize Actions that 

support the Nomination Application for the Rancocas Creek National Water 

Trail. 

The National Park Service, National Water Trail program recognizes 

the quality of life for residents and visitors, alike. 

water trails as an important element in improving 

The Rancocas Creek National Water Trail nomination was created to capitalize on the multi- 

use recreation 

opportunities presented by the Rancocas Creek’s varied, diverse parklands and the variety of uses along the Burlington 

County Parks Greenway. Over the course of this water trail visitors of all ages and demographics encounter historic, 

recreational 

and scenic attractions in urban, suburban, rural, semi- 

wild and pristine fresh water and tidal settings. 

The water trail for the Rancocas Creek, the main tributary between the Delaware Capes and Trenton , traverses the 

center of Burlington County mostly along the 40 degree parallel and serves as a “spine” that enhances and elevates a 

network of state, county and municipal landings, communities and destination attributes that stretch across the 

Rancocas Creek 360 square mile watershed. 

The Rancocas Creek National Water Trail offers both breath- 

taking, unique scenery w/ connections to the heritage and 

historic characteristics of Burlington County. The National Water Trail encourages residents and visitors to discover 

these wonderful opportunities. Paddlers along the water trail can choose to paddle segments of the water trail (such 

as in the Mt. Holly Oxbow and N Branch Channel) or travel other lengths over several days and many hours. 


The Rancocas Creek Water Trail Atlas has been compiled to introduce the reader to rediscover the Rancocas and also as 

an allowable adjunct to the formal NWT application. Some water trail segments may not be passable at different 

t imes of the year. Some sites and trail segments are visited multiple times of a seasonal time horizon. This Atlas of 

D estination Attributes is updated and revised on a frequent basis reflective of the natural vibrancy of the Rancocas 

Creek. 

“Let Us Begin this Tour 

of the Rancocas Creek, 

as both Shores will be 

under our eyes at 

once” 

1893 

4/12/2018 


15

Citizens Points of Interest 

Comments have been collected from 

citizens during public forums on the 

water trail. 

Does RCNWT increase environmental protections? Jim, Delran. 

Can the water trail improve communications among stakeholders ? Diane, Pemberton. 

How can kids and others learn about the water trail ? 

Janice, Mt. Holly. 

Will the water trail increase the value of my property ? Robert, Eastampton. 

What does it cost to maintain a water trail ?, 

Mrs. D., Westampton. 

W hat measures are being 

undertaken by the water trail to reduce potential impacts w/ multi- 

use on the 

Rancocas ?, Ray, Hainesport. 

W ho and what 

entity is r esponsible for the water trail ? Mike., Willingboro. 

When can people participate in activities on the water trail ? Margo, Medford. 

Who is ultimately responsible for the water trail ? Russ, Mt. Holly. 

Fall 

to Late Winter, 2015-2016 

4/12/2018 


16

Publicize 


Creek Tidewater 

Visitor 

Services 

Eco-L inks: 

Information Partnerships, Foster 

Collaboration, Facilitate Cooperation 

for Public Access and 

Community Interpretation. 

Former 

Farm Land, Now County Park-Land

Rancocas Creek National Water 

Planning Process 


Action 1 

T idewater 

- 

Pine Barrens 

Action 3 

Resource Markets 

Action 2 

C ommunity Eco 

- Link 

s 

Action 4 

L ocal 

- R egiona 

l 

- S tat 

e 

- Nationa 

l 

Action 5 

M ulti 

- Us 

e 

Action 6 

C oalitions 

are Eco 

- 

Systems 

Action 8 

Communicate 

Results 


State Natural Area 

Action 7 

S 

hared 

Advocac 

y 

4/12/2018 


18

COALITIONS CAUSE RIPPLES 

Formal 

vs. 

Informal 

Organize Coalition 

Points 

of 

Interests 

Community 

Resources 


Water Trail Nomination 

Process 

Catalyst 

- 

2 - 

Action 

Stewardship 

Diversity 

Implement 

Strategies 

Mill Creek Park, Willingboro 

4/12/2018 


19

Perceptions 

/ 

Beliefs 

/ Knowledge 

S takeholder participation and citizen action is a fundamental component of projects r/t natural resources. Federal legislatio 

n such as the Coastal Zone 

Management 

Act, the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, the Magnuson-S 

tevens Act, National Water Trail Legislation, and the National 

Environmental 

P olicy Act (NEPA) and other legislative mandates (funded and unfunded) incorporate citizen participation in all final decisions. 

Collaborating is a proactive engagement can enhance opportunity 

• An 

opportunity has been clearly identified; 

• The best course of action is complex or not apparent; 

• Support of stakeholders is necessary for the decision to be 

successful; 

• Many parties are affected by the decision; 

• No single agency has clear or complete jurisdiction; 

• No single person or group has resources or expertise to implement 

a decision; 

• Issues and solutions are negotiable; 

• Parties are willing to collaborate. 

Shape Water Trail Management & Actions 

Special rather than Routine 

(RCNWT Nomination) 

Major rather than Incremental 

(Public Access) 

Required of the Public 

(Development and distribution of education guide on 

effective creek front buffer vegetation is a voluntary action 

not mandated). 

Controversial 

(Development vs. Fines) 

4/12/2018 


20

Shared Vision: 


Water Trailr 


Purpose 1 

Conserve and 

enhance the 

natural beauty, 

wildlife and 

heritage of the 

RCNWT 

Purpose 2 

Promote opportunities 

for the understanding 

and enjoyment of the 

special, unique qualities 

of the RCNWT 

Civics 

Mt. Holly Flood Bypass Channel 

N. 

Branch - Rancocas Creek 

Elevate the social and 

economic 

well- 

being of 

local communities on 

the RCNWT 

N Branch - Mt. Holly 

4/12/2018 


21

Public Policy 

• Water Trail Maintenance; 

• Promotions/Partnerships/Coalitions; 

• Increase effort on tourism management agencies; 

• Improve infrastructure using BMP; 

• Increasing number of marked RCNWT segments; 

• Willingness to Pay for an increased marked trail 

segments (free market environmentalism); 

• Use of access fees or activity fee’s (ie: log removal 

program) to raise water trail specific revenue; 

• Water Quality Issues; 

• Perennial and sudden concerns.. . 

4/12/2018 


22

• Federal 

• State 

• County 

• Municipal 

• Private 

• Public 

• Other 

Mining SJ Cedar Tree’s 1870 

NJ State Museum 

4/12/2018 


23

Participatory Process: 

Capacity Building and Stewardship 

Participatory Process 

N Branch - Mt. Holly 

4/12/2018 


24

Rancocas Creek National Water Trail Nomination 

Capacity Building - Stewardship Matrix 

Municipal 

County 

State 

Federal 

Public 

Other 

Promote Advocacy 

Multi-Use Recreation 

C ultivate Community 

Support 

Public Information 

Social 

Media Campaign 

Access Strategies 

Planning Process 

Sustainability

NJDEP Endorsement Letter 

Sample Municipal 

Requires 

Resolution 

vetting 

4/12/2018 


26

RCrk National 



Elevates 

• T rash and Garbage Reduction – RCNWT advocacy for individual and Community based involvement 

= clean water, clear open channel improves safety, facilitates flood control and improves water quality; 

• E cosystem Rediscovery – RCNWT increases awareness on the quantity and diversity of multi- 


opportunities and the natural world and Creek specific plant and animal species; 

• Q uality of Life – Add to the Rancocas Creek’s and Mt. Holly’s and other creek- 

front communities unique charms and 

make the region more attractive to residents, visitors, and businesses and provide an elevated level of recreational 

opportunities 

along an expanded linear greenway and water- trail system; 

• C ultural Connections – Linking people, neighborhoods, eco- 

systems, cultural resources and celebrating the historical 

connection of the Rancocas Creek to the Burlington County Greenway ; 

• Adopt-A- 

C reek – Promote multi-use recreation and improving 

w ater quality and quantity 

along and adjacent to the 

Rancocas Creek so as to enhance destination attributes, sites of study, and points of interests on a local, State and 

National level. 

4/12/2018 


27

overlapping biological zones 

Port of Philadelphia 

Port of Camden 

The seven special qualities of the Rancocas Creek are: 

1 . Diverse, inspirational landscapes and breathtaking views; 

2 . A rich variety of wildlife and habitats including rare and 

internationally important species; 

3 . Tranquil and unspool places; 

4 . An environment shaped by centuries of farming and 

embracing new enterprise; 

5 . Great opportunities for recreational activities and learning 

experiences; 

6. 

Well- 

conserved historical features and a rich cultural 

heritage; 

7 . Distinctive towns and villages, and communities with real 

pride in there are 

4/12/2018 


28

Rediscover 

- 

Restore 

- Recreation 

Part 

Two 

Destination Attributes, Points of Interest and Study Sites 

for the 

Rancocas Creek National Water Trail (nomination) 

Head of Tide-Mt. 

Holly 

Mill Dam 


29

Main Stem/Tidal 

Goal 

of 

Maps 

& Charts 

Non-Tidal 

SW Branch 

13.8 miles long 

Non-Tidal 

Non-Tidal 

S Branch 

21.7 miles long 

Non-Tidal 

N Branch 

28.3-mile-long 

A ugment i ndividual, 

o rganizational, 

civic, 

governmental, 

discussions 


charts 

and 

points 

about 

T rail. Visual 

of 

the 

natural 

of 


legislative 

the 


displays 

resources 

interest 

Creek 

and 

and 

her 


of 


of 

sites 

or 

maps 


and 

community 


navigation 

s how 

p eople, 

places, 

d estination 

attributes, 

for 

t ributaries. 

study 

along 

the 

Rancocas Creek Watershed 

ref: base map noaa virtual coast map 

Entrance onto US DOD JBMDL through waterbodies is prohibited 

by federal law 

4/12/2018 


30

4/12/2018 


31

Nominated as a National Water Trail, New Jersey’s Rancocas Creek runs mostly along the 40t 

h 

parallel North, midway between the rigorous climates of the North and the mild climates of the 

South. 

The Rancocas Creek is located on the Delaware River, upstream from Philadelphia. The Rancocas Creek is formed by the 

joining of the North and the South Branch which drains a 

watershed of 360 square miles across 34 municipalities, located in 2 Counties and flows deep-r 

ooted within two of NJ’s Congressional 

Districts. 

Double hulled shallow drafting sailing hoys ride the tide ? Flows west? Texas, NJ ? Rum- runners busted ? Paleo- I ndian sites? 

1890s 

gun runners to Cuba traverse the Rancocas? 

Tide 

mills? 

Pirates? Revolutionary War battles? Mill economies? Phossy- 

jaw? 

J ogging? hiking? Relaxation? Paddle sports? War of 1812 

armed shallop blockade ? Escape route of the Underground 

Railroad? 

Tidal and Non-Tidal 

Fishing? Old wharves, piers, stone bulkheads? Colonies of maidenhair spleenworts? Turning basins? Semi-wild, 

incision though long- 

established Municipal, County 

and State Parks ? An Oxbow? a Mill Race all a bubbling fast? Dining ? Lunch ? Summer-time ice-cream ? Drink-a-T 

oast swigged ? Twinned head of navigation? 375 years of continuous maritime 

commerce? Timbuctoo ? State Park Natural Area ? County Parkland and Greenway ? Mosasaur's ? Sand mines ? New Jersey.... yes, 

South Jerseys Rancocas Creek. 

Up on the Delaware River, up on northern end of 

Creek is marked by a buoy. 

the Torresdale Range, where the Mud Island Range runs further North towards 

Tr 

enton and below Burlington sits 

the entrance of the Rancocas 

The North Branch headwaters arise inside the 42,000-contiguous acres of the Joint Base Fort Dix-Maguire-Lakehurst. 

Down her sinuous 

channels creek- 

front communities nest among the Pines 

B arrens. The Rancocas Creek is a capillary to Americas, South Jersey and the Delaware Valley history. 

H er fabric weaves from the NJ Pinelands National Preserve, westerly, on 4 different 

t ributaries, on swiftly flowing, cool c edar waters until reaching the Delaware River's tidal influence at Mt. Holly (N Branch) and Lumberton (S Branch). The Rancocas Creek flows directly through 

the historic Burlington County Seat of Mt. Holly. From here the N Branch is enhanced with downstream tidal flows. Semi-w 

ild the N Branch pass the former hamlet of Timbuctoo, through 

pristine State and County Parkland and remains of NJs maritime and thus to the Confluence or as known historically as “The For 

ks”. 

Through Lumberton does the S Branch flow. Past 

her former mill and a creek-f ront no longer active in local agriculture commerce 

. Stay w/ care as before man a critter that swam creek waters 

w as the feared Mosasaurs. 

Looking for shoes? On the S Branch the old Lumberton shoe factory would have been your creek- 

f ront l anding at the head of tide. 

Daily steam and sailing ships 

embarked to the Port of Philadelphia, skipping through laden sailing shallops and down through Hainesport and her ties to furn 

aces, 

rail, sand mines and commercial navigation. The S Branch 

skirts the slopes of the Mt. Laurel Questa joining the N Branch deep inside the Rancocas State Park at “The Forks”. 

N Branch 

Passing under the Turnpike, the Rt. 295 and the Rt. 130 Bridges the Rancocas flows into a main Delaware River 

on the main channel are intriguing elements of man’s maritime use of the Rancocas. 

channel at 

Amico 

Island Park. 

The main stem embraces multi- 

use recreation. Here 


safety along the Rancocas Creek enhances awareness of the risks present when on the Rancocas. The water trail promotes w ays 

to reduce the risks of using the Rancocas Creek for 

gain. 

The goal is fun, safe, enjoyable access to a natural resource for multi- use outdoor recreation, commerce and leisure. 

Phossy Jaw ? 

Texas, Rancocas Creek 

4/12/2018 


32

Destination Attributes 

and Points 

of 

Interest 

for 


Trails 

1. 

Seasonal 

and Year Round Multi- Site Recreation; 

2 . Relaxation; 

3 . Value for money spent; 

4 . Safe place to visit; 

5 . Change of scenery; 

6 . Scenic locations; 

7 . Local getaway; 

8 . Short length of getaway; 

9 . Friendly, local residents; N. Branch Rancocas Creek, Mt. Holly, New Jersey 

10. 

Unexpected adventures. 

Ref: 

NJDEP, Economic 

Benefits of Blueways, 

2012 

N. Branch, Mt. Holly 

4 /12/2018 

4 Rancocas Creek National Water Trail Nominatio n 

33

Database Used to identify and 

categorize Points of Interest on 

the Rancocas Creek 

Burlington County Parks 

Hainesport 

Boat-Launch 

4/12/2018 


34

Rancocas Creek National Water Trail Nomination 

Elevate, 


adjust and enhance Creek the community, National archeological Water and historical Trail 

record. 

“ Hank” Herron 

Paddle on Down 

Rancocas Creek - A Privilege of Water 

375 Years of Commercial Navigation, 

Multi- 

Use, Recreation, Notable 

History, Community and 

America’s 

Heritage. 


1904: S Branch, Hainesport 

PW Schopp Collection 

N Branch, Long Bridge County Park 

S Branch, Vincentown 

Westward 

Flowing; Pine 

Barren National 

Preserve 

Headwaters; 

Mt. Holly Historic 

O xbow – 

Lumberton’s 

Landing w/ 

Hainesport’s Tidal 

Reach; Flanked by 

State, Burlington 

County Park 

County and 

Municipal Parks; 

Joins the 

Delaware River at 

A mico Island. 

Amico Island, Delaware River 

Monroe Street Park, Mt. Holly 

Flood Control Bypass Channel 

N Branch 

Multi- 


opportunities and exploration 

featuring kayaking, fishing, 

hiking, and the viewing 

wildlife abound on the 

Rancocas Creek, a vitally 

important and historically 

prominent 

tidal and non- 

tidal 

waterway of South Jersey and 

the Delaware Valley. 


N Branch 

Prepared 4 the Rancocas Creek National Water Trail nomination by Rancocas Pathways, Inc. 

www.nbranchwatersafety.com 

2015 

Confluence 

Exit 5 

NJ Turnpike 

N Branch Timbuctoo

Geographic Description of the Waters of Rancocas Creek Watershed 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

A j 

Port 

ourney 

City 

Camden 

West 

e 

influenced 

of 

Philadelphia’ 

s 

‘ s Riverfront, 

t 

nters 

the 

D 

b y tides, 

10 

miles 

U 

he 

elaware 

Penn’ 

s 

R 

ancocas 

R iver. 

Landing 

C 

reek 

pstream 

and 

the 

flowing 

from 

Port 

from 

the 

of 

the 

The 

shaped 

entire 

60 

by 

3 square 

NJ 

Pine 

mile 

Barren 


headwater 


watershed 

is 

a reas. F rom 

these, 

surface 

3 distinct 

main 

headwater 

areas 

named 

t he 

North, 

the 

C reek. 

South 

West 

and 

the 

South 

Branch 

of 

the 


4 

The 

in 

South-West 

Wharton 

beyond 

from 

b 

Knitted 

State 

B ranch 

(1) drains 

F orest. The 

M t. 

M isery 

(2) while 

t 

ogs 

found 

together 

on 

t 

he 

Joint 

he 

B 

these 

3 creek 

N 

ase 

b 

West 

South 

orth 

M 

ranches 

from 

Branch 

headwaters 

extends 

B ranch 

(3) descends 

cGuire 

D 

ix 

connect 

L akehurst. 

a 

nd 

drain 

2 

3 

Lumberton or South Branch 

Mt. Holly or North Branch 

the 

m 

forks 

The 

ain 

inside 

mostly 

navigable 

South 

stream 

R 

of 

t 

ancocas 

shallow 

channel 

Branch 

of 

he 

extend 

S 

R 

ancocas 

tate 

flowing 

the 

the 

P ark. 

R 

C reek 

(4) from 

ancocas 

Delaware 

Delaware 

runs 

into 

R iver. The 

River’ 

s 

b 

the 

tidal 

elow 

the 

Federal 

North 

reach 

and 

to 

Medford or SW Branch 

1 

M t. 

Holly 

a nd 

Lumberton, 

r espectively. 

4/12/2018 

Map from Crosswicks Creek Flood Report 1978 


36

( 3) - 

N Branch Headwaters 

Area 

Entrance onto US DOD JB-MDL 

through waterbodies is prohibited by federal law 

Obliged and Credit for Photos to US DOD JB-MDL 

Entrance onto US DOD JB- 

MDL through waterbodies is prohibited by federal law 

US DOD JB-MDL does not endorse the Rancocas Creek National Water Trail 

4/12/2018 


37

Tunica 

remotam 

cigas 

Rancocas Creek Drainage 

4/12/2018 


38

B lue Arrows Show 

Direction of Water 

Flow by Drainage 

Areas 

(NON-T IDAL) 

Delaware 

River Basin 


Watershed 

Atlantic Slope 

Basin 

Watershed Divide 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Enhanced Scale That Shows the Direction of 

Non- 

Tidal Water Flow 

Watershed Divide 200 Feet 

above sea level 

Delaware 

River Basin 

PA 

NJ 

Atlantic Slope 

Basin 

4/12/2018 


39

R ed Arrows Show 

Extent of Tide and 

the End of 

Navigation 

Mt. Holly 

North Branch - Rancocas Creek 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Ports of Camden and Philadelphia 

Lumberton 

North Branch - Rancocas 


Extent of Tidal Influence 

End of Navigation for 

Commerce 

4/12/2018 


40


The tide ends on the North Branch at Mt. Holly. 

Creek Tides 

On the South Branch the Tide ends in Lumberton. 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

T he rise and fall of the tides play an important role in the natural world, navigation and commerce. Tides allowed commercial 

vessel traffic on the Rancocas Creek to Delaware River Ports. Tides have a marked effect on recreation related activities. 

High Tide-Hainesport 

Low Tide-Hainesport 

Average Creek Water Depth 

Range of Tide for the Rancocas Creek 

are from 1 to 6 feet 

High 

-Tide 

Mt. Holly 

Low-Tide 

Mt. Holly 

Review tide charts before paddling 

the tidal reaches of the RCNWT. 

4/12/2018 


41

Eco 

- Links 

400 Hundred Years of 

Tidal 

Reach 

Rancocas Creek Commerce 

1600’s to 

1900’s 

Rancocas State Park, 

N. Branch Rancocas Creek 

C Colonization 

& D Canal 

Devonish Range Landing 

Traders 

Of Exploration the wet of woods, 

of the 

Delaware Farmers lapping 

River 

of waves; 

Coastal Shipping 

Of the mad pushes 

Delaware Bay 

of waves upon the land. 

W. Whitman 

Delaware River 

Harbor 

N. Delaware BranchRiver 


Devonish Range 

Towards 

DelawareMain 

Navigation 

B ay 

Channel 

Mt. Holly 

North Along 

Coastal NJ 

to New 

Amsterdam 

(NYC) to 


European 

Tidewater 

Ports 

South to 

Jamestown, 

Southern US Ports, 

the Caribbean, 

Cape Barbados, May 

Jamaica…

Rancocas Creek Communities are tied to America’s 

maritime by large quantities of locally produced 

commerce and agriculture trade shipped down the 

Rancocas to Delaware River Ports. 

Schooners plied between Mt. Holly and Lumberton 

to the Ports of Philadelphia and Camden. Rafts of 

logs 

for mills, coal and pig- 

iron for local foundries 

and machine shops all were carried on the Rancocas. 


Port of 

Creek Maritime 

Camden Port of Camden 

Burlington Port 

Shipping on the Rancocas Creek began in the mid 

1600’s and ended in the early part of the 1900’s. 

Early sailing vessels like shallop’s (late 1700’s ), 

hoy’s 

and then river- 

steamers services ran the 

Creek’s crooked , narrow, twisting tidal channel back 

and forth to the Delaware River Communities of 

Riverside, Delran and Delanco and than to the Ports 

of Philadelphia and Camden. 

Vessels and cargos then returned to Rancocas Creek 

local communities and regional market nodes. 

C & D Canal 

Port of Salem 

Port of 

1616 

Dutch Delaware River Yacht 

Thirty-eight 

feet over the keel, forty- 

four and a half 

from bow to stern, and eleven and a half feet wide. 

By Design, Shallow Draft. 

Popular vessel creek excursions to creek resorts from 

days 

past have evolved to today’s kayak, paddle- 

sport 

and multi- use recreation activity. 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

4/12/2018 


43



RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

unknown date 

Ward 1930 

4/12/2018 


44

Dutch Trade on the Delaware River w/specific ships sailing from Trexel to the Delaware River 


Dutch Map 1616 

Dutch West India Trading Company 

(1621) 

Collected 2013 

Ref: Dutch Maritime Museum 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

4/12/2018 


45

Rancocas Drainage Beaver Trade 

Price of 

1665 A.D. 

a Brooklyn (NYC) Ferry 

550 Dutch Guilders ($220.00) 

Shallop 

Long Bridge Burlington County Park 

N. Branch Landing 

1/3 in Beaver Furs (Winter Beaver Pelts); 

/3 Merchantable Wampum 

1/3 in Goods, and Free Passage. 

1 (120 beads = 1 guilder) ; 

Ref: 

Perry, John., 

American Ferryboats, 

1957 

N. Branch Rancocas Creek 

Rancocas Down Creek State Park fromBeaver 

Landing Lodge 

эко-связи

Philadelphia 

Trading Area 

1760 

Mt. 

Holly Founded (founded - 1687) 

Lumberton Area (first settled - 1683) 

Head 

of Tide and Navigation 

Early Settlers 

Trading Pattern 


North Branch’s B. Devonish 

Sailed to Caribbean Market via Port of 

Philadelphia 

(1687) 

Revolutionary War Period Admiralty Issues 

(1776) 

State of NJ Rancocas Creek Navigation Acts 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

(1783) 

Armed Shallop Blockade 

4/12/2018 


47

Navigation 

on the Rancocas 

First Ferry Across the Rancocas Creek: Bridgeboro in 1748 

Chaise, Chair or sleigh, if drawn by 1 horse ... Toll of 9 pence (DeCou) 

Evolution: 

Indian Dugouts---the scow---shallops---sloops---snows---steamers---motor 

boats---kayaks 

1823 Begins Steam Navigation of 

the Rancocas 

Mt. Holly and Rancocas Steamboat 

Company (1824) 

Rancoas Creek 

March 21, 1817 

Sailing Shallop “Good Intent” 

One Deck-One Mast 

L ength: 52 feet – 8 inches 

Width: 18 feet 6 inches 

Dept: 4 feet 

W eight: 30 tons 

Ref: Decou 


Creek Steamer 

Barclay 

120 feet long. 

24 feet 

wide. 

Mostly Produce-Lumber-Charcoal 

to the Philadelphia Port Market

State of NJ 

Legislative Navigation Acts 

from 1783 

Rancocas or Ancocas Creek 

Type of early 

tidal creek dredge. 


Maritime Heritage 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

“Vessel Ribs” 

“Barge Ribs”


Creek Navigation Channel in 1909 * 

4/12/2018 


50

West Jersey 

Rancocas Creek Rail Lines 

Camden Amboy Line (1830) 

Others 

ref: Vincentown Pizza Shop 

4/12/2018 


51


Creek Stage Coach Routes 

4/12/2018 


52

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Existing Public 

Transportation 

Stops along the 

Length of the 


ref: 

cross county connection 

4/12/2018 


53

Monroe Street Park- N Branch 

N Branch Rancocas Creek 

Agriculture 

May 

- 2015 

Rancocas Creek Harbor Seal 

By: 

Michael Castagner , Willingboro 

Rancocas Creek Natural Ecosystem 

Timbuctoo 

S Bog 

Confluence 


Main Steam - Wild Turkey 

Head Water 


Areas 


N Branch 

Watershed 

Whitesbog 

Area 

(Whitesbog) 

S Branch 

(Mt. Misery) 

Main Steam 

Centerton 

Black Run 

Preserve Area 

Mt. Misery 

Area 


2015 

SW Branch 

(Black Run) 

S Branch Rancocas Creek 

S Branch - Sheep Laurel 

Rancocas Creek Drainage 

4/12/2018 

Flowering Begger Tick, Timbuctoo Main Stem Rancocas 

Pine Barrens Long Bridge 54 

Agriculture 

Marinas-Dining-Launch 

State Park

North Branch 

Mt. 

Holly 

Branch Rancocas 


Superior 

Paddle Trail 

Segments 

Smithville 

Fishing Hotspots 

1890’s Tidal Sailing Scow, Mt. Holly Landing 

Ref: Rizzo, Dennis; History of Mt. Holly 


55

Building Fort Dix 

From the Paul W. Schopp Collection 

North Branch - Rancocas Creek Headwaters 

Hartshorne Mill Stream 

Revolutionary War Admiralty Court 

56

N Branch Rancocas 

Creek Headwaters 

Paddle West down through New Lisbon, Connect to 

the Burlington County Parks Canoe Trail to 

Smithville and Mt. Holly. 

Mirror Lake 

These upper head- 

reaches of the N Branch are for 

the most part “wild and wholly”. 

Trespassing in the Joint Base is Illegal. 

Entrance onto US DOD JBMDL through waterbodies 

is prohibited by federal law 

Scout water levels before paddling at Mirror Lake 

Dam and at the New Lisbon Post Office Bridge. 

N Branch 


4/12/2018 


57

N Branch Headwaters-Mirror 

Lake 

Entrance onto US DOD JBMDL through waterbodies is prohibited 

by federal law 

Aroma of the Pines 

1797 

Charles 

Newbold (1764- 

1835) invented a farmer’s plow. 

Plow cast at Hanover Furnace near Browns Mills. 

Browns Mill 

N Branch Headwaters 

5 year old carry’s 2 pecks of Browns Mills Cranberry Crop 

Browns Mill 

Era of Summer Resorts 

M irror Lake – Browns Mills 

Mirror Lake is the end of Public Access on the Rancocas Creek. 

Browns Mills lies along the 

N Branch of the Rancocas Creek 11 miles east of Mt. Holly. 

Do Not Trespass on Joint Base MDL 

58 

N Branch Headwaters-Mirror 

Lake

Rich Soil 

of 

NJ’s 

Marl 

Region 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Before 


1917 

Camp Dix 

( JB- MDL) 

Entrance onto US DOD JBMDL through waterbodies is prohibited by federal law 

Map Appreciates Lay of the Land in 1833 

During 

After 

Camp Dix Payroll - Sept 1917 

4/12/2018 


59

June, 1929 

Fort 

Dix 

Camp Dix 

Opened June 1917 

Turn of the Century Stereographic Photo 

WW1 Camp Dix Gas Mask Drill 

B- 17 

Mt. Holly – 1944 

Fort- 

Dix Army Air Force 

Photo-Recon Training Unit 

Constructing Fort Dix 

1918 

60 

GEN. HUGH L. SCOTT AT CAMP 

/12/2018 DIX 

- 1918 

4 4 Rancocas Creek National Water Trail Nomination

Representative of Distinguished Units that Trained at Camp Dix 

369t 

h 

Regiment 

- Harlem “Hell Fighters” 

Fort Dix 

September 1917 

The 369th Regiment band was relied upon not only in battle but also for 

morale. By end of their tour they became one of the most famous military 

bands throughout Europe. They followed the 369th overseas and were highly 

regarded and known for being able to immediately boost morale. 

Two Medals of Honor and many Distinguished Service Crosses were awarded 

to members of the regiment. Henry Johnson was the first American to 

receive the C roix de Guerrre 

awarded by the French government. This award 

s ignifies extraordinary valor. By the end of the war, 171 members of the 

369th were awarded the Legion of Honor or the Croix de Guerre 

4/12/2018 

61

Camp Dix - July 1918 


Company “A” 26t 

h 

Engineers 

Water Supply Service 

Camp Dix Water Pumping Station 

N Branch – Rancocas Creek 

New Lisbon 

Front Line Water Supply 

E ntrance to Deep Well – France 

Long Way from the N Branch 

After Camp Dix to the Front... 

Pine Snake, 

New Lisbon 

Hand to Hand Combat 

...Trenton Engineers Company “C” 

4/12/2018 

Front 

Line - 1918 

62

- Joint Base MDL 

N Branch 

4/12/2018 

63


Rancocas Creek Headwaters 

a re 

in 

N and Since S Branch 1931 

Medford Lakes Annual Canoe Festival 

FLORA 

SW Branch - White-Fringed Orchid 

SW Branch - Pine Barrens Tree Frog 


N Branch - Magnolia 

FLORA 

Yellow Asphodel 

N Branch 

Sundew 

N Branch 

FAUNA 


nomination 


FAUNA 

Advocacy 

for 

Public Purpose 

Pine Barrens Gentian 

S Branch 

Swamp Pink 

Hartshorne Mill Stream 

S Branch - Used w/ Permission 

Lady Slipper 

Gaunts Brook 

photos 

used w/ permissions and maybe otherwise retrieved from USDA plant list 

f lora and fauna poster 

prepared by rancocas 

pathways, inc.

Pemberton/New Mills/New Lisbon 

4/12/2018 


65

S Branch 


Creek Sub-Watershed Divide 

Line of Sight 

N Branch 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

CONFLUENCE 

M ain Stem – R ancocas Creek 

Physiographic Areas of 

Burlington County 

Line of Sight Photo 

CONFLUENCE 

North Branch 


Pemberton 

Displays two 

physiographic Burlington 

County provinces with the 

C uesta divide between the 

Inner Coastal Plain and 

Outer Coastal Plain and 


preserved farmland. 

Medford 

SW Branch 

South Branch 


S Branch 

Lumberton 

Vincentown 

Hainesport 

Burrs 

Rd. - Pemberton 

Drainage Direction of the North and South Branches 

66 

4/12/2018 


Mt. Holly Cuesta 

183 Feet Above Sea level 

Arney’s Mount Cuesta 

163 feet above sea level 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

N Branch 

Line of Sight of Photo 

SW Branch 

Medford Canoe Trail 

Rancocas Creek Topo Map 


Sub-Watershed and Cuesta Divides 

4/12/2018 


67


Parks 

Canoe Trail 

Early 1900’ Color Enhanced Photo 

• County Roads 

Clarks 

Canoe and Kayak Rental - Pemberton 

t. M 

y Holl 

Smithville 

Pemberton 

Public 

Launch 

4/12/2018 


68

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Mùxulhama 

“He Who Travels w/ 

Canoe” 

Scientific 

Study 

Archaic-Woodland Period 

8000 B.C. - 1000 A.D. 

Cyclical and Seasonal Visitations 

American 

Shad 

Fish Runs * 

Spring and Fall 

and Nut Harvests ** 

Stripped Bass 

Dorothy Cross -1937 

Unique 

Land 

Use 

Celt 

- Collected S Branch 2013 

Sturgeon 

4/12/2018 


* Seasonal Fish Runs: sturgeon-salmon-shad-herrin 

g-alewife-eel 

** 

Rancocas Creek Woodland Nut-Bearing Trees: hazel-hickory-beech-oak- walnut-chestnut 

Alewife 

69

Historic Smithville: Industrialization of the Rancocas 

4/12/2018 


70

Smithville-Eastampto 

n-Mt 

Holly 

Photo by Margret Berry 

From the Paul W. Schopp Colelction 

Clarks 

Canoe and Kayak Rental - Pemberton 

Mt Holly 

Smithville 

4/12/2018 


71

South Branch 

Lumberton Branch of the Rancocas 

Remarkable Scenic Attributes 

Pine Barrens 

Festivals 

and Frog-Tow 

n 


Mill 

Race - Mt. 

Holly Oxbow 

N Branch 


Non- 

Tidal South Branch 

South Branch, Rancocas 

High Tide 



Creek-Tidewaters 

Hainesport 

- Tidewaters 

Kirby’s Mill, Medford 

South Branch (Tidal) 

Since 1931 


Southampton 

- “Wild n Wooley” 

Lumberton 

South Branch 

South Branch 

Ref: Medford Calendar 

Hear the Tide; 

Entrance onto US DOD JBMDL 

through waterbodies is prohibited by 

federal law 

Share the Ride ! 

South Branch Canoe Trail, Medford 

Advocacy for Public Purpose 


Below Mt. Holly, Tidal 

Wishbone Paddle Trail 

Established, Public 

Launches 

North Branch

Destination Attributes 

Headwater 

Area - South Branch 

Flora and Fauna 

Pasanada Ghost Town 

Camping Area 

Brendyn Byrne State Park 

MT. Misery Area 

SW Mt. Misery 

Pakim Pond Hiking and Swimming Area 

Batona Trail 

Burlington County Parks Canoe Trail 

Headwaters 


Pakim Pond Camping 

Greenwood Bridge Picnicking 

Seasonal Cranberry Harvest 4 Fall Paddling. 

Proximity to NJ Pine Barrens National Preserve 

NW Mt. Misery 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Cranberry Bog 

74

Mt. Misery Area 

Headwaters of the 

SW Branch Rancocas Creek 

NE Mt. Misery 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

SW Mt. Misery 

Pitch pine/scrub oak forests are prime breeding habitat for the Prairie Warbler, a migratory songbird that 

winters in the islands of the West Indies. The preserve contains the Four Mile Spring, one of several 

tributaries 

of the Rancocas Creek that spring from the headwaters swamps of this 1,227- 

acre forested 

preserve. Approximately five miles of footpaths and sand roads wind through the preserve’s pitch pine 

forests and along ancient Atlantic White Cedar forests, and allows public access for foot travel, mountain 

biking 

and horse- 

back riding. 

NW Mt. Misery 

NW Mt. Misery 

4/12/2018 


75

ef: 

frank leslies weekly newspaper 9-1- 

1866 

NEW JERSEY MARL PITS. 

THE advantages of marl as a fertilizer have been greatly overlooked in 

this country until within a very recent period. With our immense 

territory of rich soil in the new States, we had little care to improve lands 

worn out with long cultivation, and so neglected the means of 

maintaining the fertility of our farms, although they were often quite 

available. Of late years it has been found more advantageous to make 

lands adjacent to market as productive as possible, and immense 

sums 

have been expended for the various appliances which subserve that end. 

Among these, marl occupies a prominent place. It is found in almost 

inexhaustible quantities in many parts of the country, and can be 

profitably applied to almost any soil. The lower portions of New Jersey 

contain immense quantities of marl, and our illustration shows the 

manner of digging and sending it from the pits. It is easily cut out, and is 

thrown directly into the cars, which stand on convenient tracks, by 

which it is taken wherever it is needed. By its use lands that were quite 

barren have been made to produce liberally, rewarding amply the labor 

a nd money expended upon them. 


RCNWT 

Geo-Fact

S Branch Hydrosaur 

Dinosaurs, 

Mosasaurs 

and Ocean Lizards 

Cretaceous Period of 

Mesozic 

Era 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

the 

Mosasaurus Teeth 

Collected 

Lumberton, NJ 

December 8, 1877 

Academy of Natural Sciences 

Prionochelys 

144 million years ago - Early Cretaceous Period 

Rancocas Creek Back in the Day 

Their Past Speaks to the Present and Our Future 

Rancocas Creek Halisaurus 

4/12/2018 

77

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Smithville 

Burlington 

County Parks 


Mt. 

Holly N Branch Non-Tidal 

Launch Area 

Leslie’s Mag. NJ Creek Vessels 

Mid- 1800’ s 

1878 Jersey Shore Tidewater Vessels 

4/12/2018 

Ref: Harper’s Weekly 4 Rancocas Creek National Water Trail Nomination 

78

4/12/2018 


79

SW Branch 

Medford Branch of 

the Rancocas 



Kirby’s 

Mills 

Wharton State Forest 


80

SW Branch Rancocas Creek Headwater Preserves and Sub-Watershed 

s 




N Branch Rancocas Creek 


Medford Canoe 




4/12/2018 


81

4/12/2018 


82

Headwaters of SW Branch Rancocas 

Wharton State Park 

Evesham 

Jackson Road 

Bear 

Tributaries 

Run Reserve 

Join at 


Freedom Park Medford 

Chairville 

Vincentown (marl pits-mining-dinosaurs- mill) 

Headwater Area of SW Branch Rancocas 

Black Run Preserve 

internet Photo: www.whatsupmarlton.com 

Headwater Area of SW Branch Rancocas 

Wharton State Park 

www.njdep.gov 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

4/12/2018 


83


Creek-Tidewaters 

Hainesport 

- Tidewaters 

Since 1931 


Lumberton 

South Branch 

South Branch 



SW Branch 

South Branch 

Kirby’s Mill, Medford 

South Branch (Tidal) 

Ref: Medford Calendar 

Advocacy for Public 

Purpose 


National Water Trail 

Nomination

James 

Still, (1812- 

1885) the Dr. of the Pine Barrens, 

Herbalist, Father, Abolitionist, Poet... 

The Other Land, James Still 

A brief sketch of James Still tx 

Recollections of Dr. James Still 

1877 

4/12/2018 


85

Mt. 

Holly-Oxbow 

Confluence 

N Branch 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Hainesport 

Pemberton 

S Branch 

N Branch 

New Lisbon 

Lumberton 

SW Branch 

S Branch 

Medford 

Vincentown 

86

Down creek Lumberton 

S 

and SW 

Branch Rancocas 


Ironwood Outdoor Center 

An Anglers Guide to South Jersey - 1904 

Up creek Lumberton 

4/12/2018 

4 Rancocas Creek National ‘ de BanWater 

d Trail Nomination 

87

Yallawickers, 

Shallops, Barges, Tugs, River- Steamers.. . 

L umberton – Hainesport 

An Example of a 

1850’s 

Creek-Front 

Wharf 

Confluence 

Confluence 

N and S Branch 

Lumberton and Hainesport 

Extensive Sand Mining/Local 

Agriculture/Timber/Shoes/Iron 

Commercial Navigation 

1630’s to 1908 

“Frog” 

Ref: Leslie Illustrated, 1859 

4/12/2018 


88

Confluence North and South Branch 

Confluence 

Hainesport 

Mt. Holly 

Confluence 

Timbuctoo 

Mt. Holly Municipal Launch 

Wishbone Paddle Trail Segment 

Tidal 

- 

Mt. Holly to Hainesport 

Hainesport, South Branch 

Timbuctoo, North Branch 

South Branch - Hainesport 

Burlington County Park 

Landing 

Hainesport- Burlington County Park’s Landing

Mt. 

Holly 

Oxbow 

- 

Flood Bypass Channel - N Branch 


Heritage Area 

French and Indian War 

Outstanding Scenic 

Features 

Mt. Holly Flood Bypass Channel 

N Branch Oxbow 


90

Mt. Holly Police Department 

1700’s 

Sailing Shallops - Last Commercial 

Barge to Mt. Holly - 1908 

Revolutionary War Battle of Mt. Holly 

Multi-Use Activity 

Mt. Holly N Branch 

Community Fishing Activity 


Mt. Holly (N Branch) 

to the Confluence 

Hainesport (S Branch) to the Confluence 

Confluence to the Delaware River 


Mt. Holly Flood Bypass 

Train Station 

Channel 

Oxbow 

Channel 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Mt. Holly Oxbow 


nomination 

Destination Attribute: Mt. Holly 

Mt. Holly 

W inter Diving Duck – Bufflehead 

Passes Through the Mt. Holly Oxbow 

Mt. 

Holly - Historic 

Water-Works 

Sluiceway 

Advocacy 

4 

Public 

Purpose 

tm 

Oxbow 

N Branch - K ing Street – Weir 

- Flood Channel

Wildlife 

Heritage Maritime History Multi-Use 

Scientific Study 

Recreation Conservation Points of Interest Destination Attributes 

N. 

Branch Rancocas Creek 

Westampton, NJ 

Mt. Holly, New Jersey 

Original 

Creek-Bed 

N. Branch, Rancocas Creek 

1929-1930, 

State of NJ Aerial Survey 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

St. 

Andrew’s Point - Mt. Holly 

Flood Bypass Channel - N. Branch Rancocas Creek

40.00000° 

N 

Geo-L ocation : 40.00182° 

N - 74.81465° E 

Mouth of the Rancocas Creek 

Mt. Holly and the Rancocas Creek Sits 

40.0000 Degree Line 

on the 

Bernard Devonish, Land Owner on the Rancocas 

Creek in 1687 sailed regularly back and forth to 

Barbados from the Rancocas Creek. Bernard's 

brother was a Ship’s Captain known to have sailed 

from the Ports of Baltimore and Philadelphia. 

Back in the 1700’s brigs and such unloaded cargo 

from Barbados in the Port of Philadelphia. From 

these docks, cargo was loaded into Rancocas Creek 

shallops and than sailed the tide back to the 

Devonish and Other Land Holdings (todays 

Rancocas State Park) up on at the confluence. 

RCNWT GEO-FACT 


Navigation 


N - 74.81465° E 

Mouth of the Rancocas Creek 

40.00000° 

N 

18 

th 

Century Navigation Plan 

20.0000° 

N 

Horse Latitudes 

Geo-L ocation: 13° 10' 

N and 59° 32' W 

Barbados 

40.00000° 

N 

As an example: General Sailing Directions from the 

Island of Barbados to the Rancocas Creek. Actual plans 

vary in detail. The majority of Captains and Pilots kept 

knowledge of the trade and maritime passage --- 

private. 

Word of mouth passed from generations to generations. 

Sample Sail Plan: Sail North- 

West from Barbados, 

striking in two weeks the Coast (America). Sail North to 

the South River (Delaware Bay). Ascend the Delaware 

River passing the Port of Philadelphia to 40.0000 N. At 

the “Hens and Chicks” rocks at “White Sheet Bay” effect 

safe passage in to the Rancocas Creek. Allow the tide to 

sail you East on the Rancocas Creek to the Confluence. 

Take the North Fork to Devonish Landing*. Follow the 

Little Dipper up creek to Mt. Holly. 

(* now inside todays Rancocas State Park). 

4/12/2018 


93

Revolutionary War Reference to the Rancocas Creek by Hessian Colonel von Donop in reference to the 

Revolutionary 

War Battle of Mt. Holly (December 22 and 

23, 1776) 

Battle of Mt. Holly, also known as the Battle of Iron Works Hill 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Map of Rancocas Valley, Rancocas Creek and Mt. Holly 

H essian Captain J. Wald – 1776 

Ref: NJ State Museum 

4/12/2018 


94

350000 

June 

- 1909 

Partial Value of Exports and Imports From Mt. Holly 

(Freight via Rancocas Creek *) 

Photo: N Branch Atlantic White Cedar Woodland 

300000 

250000 

* Freight 

via Boat - R ail – Truck: .12 cents per 100 pounds 

* Freight Via Boat: .09 cents per hundred pounds 

Ref: 

WS Rendell-Chairman of Mt. Holly Committee on Rancocas Creek Improvements 

Sec of War Rancocas Creek Report , New Jersey 

200000 

150000 

100000 

50000 

0 

Advantage accrues to National commerce in a small amount and 

the total commerce on stream contributes to the Nations general 

commerce. 

(Rand - 1889) 

4/12/2018 


95

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Mt. 

Holly’s Flood Control Bypass Channel 1941- 

1944 

October 2, 1940 at 11:45 AM 

Flood Channel 

Mr. Mark Reynolds, Chair of 

Mt. Holly, NJ Flood Committee accompanied by NJ Senators and Representatives 

meet w/ President Franklin Roosevelt and others to capture and control floods that 

commonly ripped through the Rancocas Valley community of Mt. Holly. 

The result the Mt. Holly Flood Control 

Bypass Channel 

Ref: 

Pare Lorentz Center, 

FDR Library 

1938 Flood Washington St 

1938 Mt. Holly Flood Photos Courtesy of Larry Tigar, 

4/12/2018 


Mt. Holly Historical Society 96

Mt. Holly Oxbow, Mill Race n Flood Channel 

Mt. Holly Mill Race Holiday Lights 

Always Wear a Life Jacket ! 


Multi-Use 

Pinelands Preservation Alliance 

N Branch 

Chillin’ on the Oxbow 


Watershed OldAmbassador 

Mill 

4/12/2018 


98

Hugh 

Campbell 

pursued 

an 

artist' 

s life 

in 

the 

1930’ s. It 

was 

the 

fields 

around 

his 

boyhood 

fishing 

spots 

in 

Mount 

Holly 

where 

he 

felt 

the 

most 

at 

h ome. 

E ach night, 

winter 

a nd 

summer, 

he 

would 

go 

to 

Milldam 

Park 

and 

m editate. E ach 

day, 

carrying 

his 

heavy 

p ainting 

gear, 

he 

would 

look 

for 

inspiration 

in 

and 

around 

the 

t own. Every 

Sunday 

he 

would 

display 

his 

paintings 

on 

High 

S treet . 

In 

1962 

he 

published 

a book 

called 

Knock 

Vigorously 

to 

Be 

H eard. It 

is 

filled 

with 

h ometown humor, 

depression 

memories 

and 

spiritual 

o bservation Centerton s. His 

paintings 

and 

writings 

are 

a moving 

history 

of 

Mount 

Holly 

at 

mid 

c entury. Hugh 

Campbell' 

s entire 

collection 

is 

preserved 

by 

Burlington 

County 

P arks. 

Hugh Campbell’s 

Woolman’s Lake 

Mt. Holly 

Burlington County Protected Paelo-Indian 

Sites 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Artist Hugh Campbell 

Barn and Corn Crib 


Entering Rancocas State Park 

Todays 

Rancocas Nature Center 

Hugh Campbell’s 

North Branch 

Mt. Holly 

Margo 

P elligrino 

and paddling friend c 

the Monroe Street Park 

hillin 

at 

4 the Rancocas Creek national Water Trail 

* www.rcnwt.com 

Horsehead Point Photo 2013

Mill 

Dam Pool-Mt. 

Holly 

H ummingbird – Cardinal Flower 

Mt. Holly Oxbow 

May 

- 2015 

Rancocas Creek Harbor Seal 

By: 

Michael Castagner , Willingboro 

Original N Branch Channel 

M onroeMt. 

Street Holly Park Oxbow – Mt. Channel Holly 

Water Trails 

incubate 

destinations for 

environmental, 

and recreation 

activities 

r/t 

community, 

cultural and 

historic 

attractions. 

Map of Rancocas Valley, Rancocas Creek and Mt. Holly 

H essian Captain J. Wald – 1776 

Ref: NJ State Museum 

Mt. Holly 

N Branch 

the 

Head of Tide 

Headwaters Of 

Heart- waters ! 

F lood Channel – Oxbow 

Mt. Holly 

tm 

Flowering Begger Tick, Timbuctoo 

Mt. Holly’s 

Hack ‘s Canoe Retreat 

Red-Belly Turtle 


Watershed Marl Beds 

Summer 4/12/2018 

Time 

Dinosaurs Marl & beds Mosasaurs 

100 

O xbow – Mill Race 


Head of Tide 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

When paddling or hiking the Greenway you 

can locate the remaining features of the 

Federal Project. 

Washboard 

White- 


Receation 

Site 

Mt. 

Holly -1942 Flood Control Project 

Placed on a 1967 ACOE Map 

4/12/2018 


101

Clothing and Textile 

Hub of 

Manufacturing 

Fog-Late March 

Flood Channel, Mt. Holly 

4/12/2018 


102

N Branch Head of Tide 

Mill Dam Characteristics 

Recreation Site 

Scaled Appropriate 

Buoys 

(should mark) the presence of Mill Dam, upstream, intake area. 

Strong current over or through spillway and trash gates. Mill Dam is approximately 65 feet across. Mill Dam Spillway is 

70 feet long and 65 feet wide. It is 100 feet from the face of the Mill Dam to the North Branch shoals. 

Strong unpredictable currents, presence of submerged hazards and low visibility upstream of dam spillways and trash 

gates. 

Turbulent discharges from Mill Dam gates. Mill Dam is 5 gates across w/ 2 debris gates for a total of 7 gates. 

Cascading spillway discharges, strong unpredictable currents below dam and presence of 

debris passing over or through dam. 

Strong upstream currents in surface waters (reverse flow) after water flows though flood 

gates. 

Swift, turbulent waters in a plunging flow below spillway gates. 

Slippery surfaces on shoreline. 

Submerged scaled accordingly shoals and rapidly rising waters from spillway discharge. 

Note: Ideal Destination Attribute to practice basic and fundamental white and flat water kayaking. Follow ACA 

position papers on how to paddle safely. Always paddle w another person. Leave a Float Plan. Wear your PFD. 

proper 

and appropriate instruction before kayaking flat or white- 

water. Know the area you are paddling. 

Gain

Low Tide, Mt. Holly Flood Control Weir 

Water Control Structure 

1942 


Blueprint of Mt. Holly Flood Control Weir 

Flood Channel Constructed 1942 

Note: 

Vertical Posts 

Note: 2015 Weir Solid to a Sandy Creek Bottom. Concrete shelf 

Runs north for 20 feet before dropping off precipitously into main 

N Branch Channel 

North Channel 

Original 


N Branch 

Vertical 

Post 

Vertical Post 

Proximal (North) end of 

Mt. Holly Flood Channel 

Photo: AJH Designs, Mt. Holly 

Approximate area of 

concrete shelf, slopes downcreek 

Detail of Mt. Holly Flood Control Weir, Low Tide 30 July 2014 

Hydraulic 

Resistance from Tidal 

Forces 

at 

Weir 

allows 

a Reversible Water 

Flow

Watch for Scale 


Mt. Holly Flood Bypass Channel and Weir on 

the N Branch- 

Oxbow of the Rancocas Creek 

Meets the Requirements as to allow for 

registration as a National Historic Site. 

Note: Grommet 

One per Section 

Note: Red Dashed Line Marks Approximate 

Edge of Concrete Shelf. Shelf continues 

downslope 

Not all sections have metal plate

On the N Branch 

Downstream Mt. Holly 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Tide Racing on the N Branch at the Mt. Holly Oxbow and 

Flood Bypass Channel Weir 

Last Commercial Vessel 2 

Mt. Holly 

4 

Water-Borne Commerce 

1908 * 

4/12/2018 


106


Eco-Links Scientific Study: Capillary’s of Tidal Ice Formation in the Rancocas Creek Watershed 

( Mt. Holly Oxbow-Flood Bypass Channel- Delaware River Maritime Crossroads) 

Comparison and Contrast Phases of Tidal Creek Ice Build-Up w/ Associated Impacts to Local Eco-Systems 

and Migratory Fish Species 

Fresh and Salt Water - Range of Salinity - Habitats 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

North Branch - Scientific Study 

r/o Embryotic Pancake Ice Formation 

Tidal-Fresh Water/Mill Dam Pool

N Branch 

Tidal 

Timbuctoo 


State Park Natural Area 

Long Bridge County Park 

Horse Head Point 

N Branch - High Tide 


108

Oxbow to the Confluence: 

N Branch Tidal 


300 Hundred Years of Rancocas 

Creek Commerce 

1600’s to 

1900’s 

Colonization 

Traders 

Exploration 

Farmers 

Coastal Shipping 

River Steamers 

Leisure and Resorts 

2015---Multiuse recreation 


NatureCenter 

Protected Park Land - N Branch 

Atlantic Coastal Plain Fresh & Oligohaline Tidal Marshes Westamptons Historic 

Marsh Environment and Eco-Systems 

Timbuctoo, Marsh Ecology 

4/12/2018 


109

N Branch 

870’s 

1 RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Devonish Farm Landing 

(todays Rancocas State Park) 

Rancocas Nature Center Farmstead 

Confirmed (Period) Approximate Location of a 

1870’s 

era Farm, Wharf or Club-House 

Landing

N Branch Tributary and Drainage - Westernmost Cedar Swamp in 

Burlington County - Only Cedar Swamp in NJ’s Inner Coastal Plain 

4/12/2018 


111

When 

or 

the 

on 

the 

N Branch 

“ Drinking 

Gourd” 

, 

during 

a evening 

rising 

low 

over 

or 

and 

night-time 

spanning 

paddle 

one 

Horse-Head 

sees 

Point 

t he 

constellation, 

and 

T imbuctoo. 

“ Little 

Dipper” 

Here 

as 

standing 

tides 

post 

flow 

r epose. ..” Follow 

above 

immortal 

the 

in 

silent 

Drinking 

G ourd” 

Directly above the hamlet of 

Timbuctoo sits the “Little Dipper” and 

t he 

N orth Star. 


and Timbuctoo a single- 

path among 

the myriad capillaries of the Underground Railroad. 

Little Dipper 

RCNWT 

Geo- Fact Sound Track: Richie Havens Jams “Follow the Drinking Gourd” 

4/12/2018 


112

olaris 

P 

r 

o 

e 

h 

t 

h 

Nort 

tar 

S 

s 

i 

e 

h 

t 

t 

as 

l 

r 

ta 

s 

n 

i 

he 

t 

n 

constellatio 

rsa 

U 

r 

ino 

M . s 

olari 

P 

s 

i 

he 

t 

r 

ta 

s 

t 

a 

e 

h 

t 

p 

i 

t 

f 

o 

he 

t 

e 

andl 

h 

f 

o 

e 

th 

Little 

“ ” 

ipper 

D . 

olaris 

P 

s 

i 

d 

considere 

a 

l 

avigationa 

n 

r 

ta 

s . 

olaris 

P 

s 

a 

w 

d 

se 

u 

y 

b 

ailing 

s , 

hallops 

s , 

tugs 

arges, 

b , 

yaliwackers 

team 

s - s 

oat 

b 

d 

n 

a 

e 

th 

ike 

l 

s 

a 

y 

he 

t 

d 

navigate 

ancocas 

R 

k 

ree 

C 

l 

tida 

aters 

w 

n 

o 

t 

igh 

n 

s 

tide 

nd 

a 

s 

urrent 

c . 

Nomination 





4 Rancocas 

RCNWT 

eo 

G - t 

Fac

Semi-Wild Paddling 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

N Branch 

My Soul Has Grown Deep Like the River. 

Langston Hughes, 1921 

4/12/2018 


114

Grubb’s Run 

Hx Brickworks 

Respect 

Landowners 

on this 

Multi- 

use 

water trail 

Nature 

Center 

State Park 

Natural Area 

Nature 

Center 

Horsehead 

Point 

Timbuctoo 

Grubb’s Run 

Old 

Wooden/Stone 

Jetty 

Low Tide: Bricks/Extensive Wooden Bulkhead/Debris Fields 

Westampton 

Township 

Causeway Marsh 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Long Bridge Park Overlook 

N. Branch 


Vessel-Ribs 

Long Branch County Park 

Hainesport 

Township 

Ref: Watson Buck 

Map Tide- 

Mill 


N Branch Meadow 

Ref: NJDEP Tidewater 

Conveyance Overlay Map 

Map #: 420-1956 

N. Branch, Rancocas Creek 

Westampton/Hainesport 

Turning Basin

N Branch Historic 

Timbuctoo 

4/12/2018 


116

Even the stars marked the 

distress and fears of those at 

Timbuctoo * 

Harriet Tubman, Underground Railroad 

Conductor sang of the Little Dipper in the 

spiritual 

folk- 

song “Follow the Drinking 

Gourd”. 

Sung around by slaves, hymnals were 

used to get the word out and about. 

“Follow the Drinking Gourd” ** hymn 

refers to: 

When the first quail 

drinking gourd... 

call, follow the 

Escape in the Spring looking 

at the night sky for direction. 

Leading the way the star 

formation, the Little Dipper 

which points to P olaris, 

the 

Pole Star, North and 

Freedom ** 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

* Timbuctoo was settled on the N Branch, Rancocas Creek by Fugitive Slaves in1825 

** 

h ttp://www.followthedrinkinggourd.or g (reference on “Follow the Drinking Gourd” song) 

Prepared for the Rancocas Creek National Water Trail, nomination 

When the first quail 

drinking gourd... 

call, follow the 

E scaping slaves used the N orth Star as 

a guide to follow North on the 

Underground Railroad. In a kind of 

general 

way. i e: 

If you go far enough, 

you come to one of the free states, or 

to Canada.

Little Dipper (“Drinking Gourd”) and Polaris 

N Branch - Horse Head Point - Timbuctoo 


N - 74.81465° E 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Polaris is a fixed, Northern stationary 

Star. Crux of Night Navigation 

The Little Dipper rotates in the night 

sky 

in a counter- 

clockwise direction 

around Polaris 



Mt. Holly 

Horse Head Point 

Timbuctoo 

Polaris 

Night Time Navigation 

Shallop or Creek Barge Deck 

Point of View 

Grubbs Run 


N Branch Rancocas Creek

1. 

Introduction 

2. 

Historic Background 

3. 

Topography of South Jersey 

4. 

Mt. Holly, New Jersey 

5. 

Rancocas Valley Mill Economies 

6 . 

Head of Navigation 

7. 

N Branch Tidal Characteristics 

8. 

Aerial Overview 

9. 

1936 N Branch Survey WPA Chart 

10. 

Landscape and Tide Marsh Companies 

Site Synopsis: Present Conditions 

11. 

Birds Eye View Causeway Marsh 

12. 

Causeway Marsh Access 

13. 

High Tide Inflow 

14. 

Findings Causeway Marsh 

15. 

Side Elevation of Causeway Marsh and Turning Basin 

16. 

Comparison Elevations, 1936 WPA Chart 

17. 

Tide Mill Hydraulics 

18. 

Surface Profile 

19. 

Tide Mills 

20. 

Causeway Marsh Mid-Low Tide Flow Patterns 

21. 

Tide Mills and Turning Basins 

22. 

Site Elevations 

23. 

Field Notes 1: Causeway 

24. 

GPS Survey 

25. 

Causeway Marsh: South 

Site Analysis 

Flood Bypass Channel 

Mt. Holly N Branch 

. 

Scientific Studies 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

S Branch - Medford 

Kirbys Mill Annual Festival 

. 

26. 

Historic Land Owners 

27. 

Feature Interpretation: Causeway 

28. 

Spillway 

30. 

Feature Interpretation Characteristics 

29. 

Field Notes 2: Spillway 

“When the Flood Tide is Done” 

31. 

Field Notes 3: South Elevation 

33. 

34. 

Low Tide Findings 

Middleford Comparison 

32. 

35. 

Site Characteristics: Southern Elevation 

Tidewater Conveyance Location Chart 

36. 

Scooby’s Island 

Timbucto, Westampton Township 

. 

/12/2018 

37. 

4 

Grubbs Run-References 


119

R SP – Rancocas State Park 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Mt. Holly 

Long Bridge 

North Branch, Hugh Campbell, Artist 

Begger Tick Wall 

RSP 

Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Tributary 

Westampton 

Timbuctoo 

Take- Out, RSP 

RSP Natural Area 

RSP 

4/12/2018 


120

State Park Natural 

Area 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

4/12/2018 


121

R ancocas 

Creek Paddlers Alert: 

2016 

Waterfowl 

and Migratory Bird Hunting 

along the Rancocas Creek 

Year Round Kayaking along the Rancocas brings paddlers into areas where 

l egal hunting of Waterfowl and Migratory Birds takes place. 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 


Rancocas Creek Beaver Trade (1665 A.D.) 

Price of a Brooklyn (NYC) Ferry ( S hallop) 

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/waterfowl_info.htm 

Boat 

550 Dutch Guilders ($220.00) 

1/3 in Beaver Furs (Winter Beaver Pelts); 

1/3 Merchantable Wampum; 

1/3 in Goods, and Free Passage. 

Ref: 

Perry, John., A merican Ferryboats, 

1957 

by rancocas pathways, inc 

Rancocas creek is both in the North and South duck 

hunting zones. The cut- 

off for North and South is Rt. 

73 and I- 295. 

Paddler 

Note: 

Prepared 4 Public Advocacy 2 the Rancocas Creek National Water Trail, nomination 

www . nbranchwatersafety . com 

North Duck , Pemberton, Mt. Holly , Hainesport to 

Rt. 

295 ends January 23r 

d 

R eview NJ Fish and Game Regulations 4 Seasonal 

South Duck , West of Rt 295 and South of Rt 73 ends 

14 

th 

January and North Goose ends 23 January 

Hunting Zones. 

Find also link below Map 

• Wear your PFD (Life Jacket) and Hunter Safety Orange Gear. 

• Elevate and Enhance paddling awareness. Plan your paddle trip accordingly. 

• Hunting often takes place in the morning and early evening (dusk) hours. 

• Plan your paddle trip accordingly. 

• Stay Alert for waterfowl decoys and hunters on turns and points along the Rancocas Creek. 

• Do not disturb decoys. Do not intrude on hunters. Do not bother hunting dogs. 

• Hunters Are More Likely 2 B Present in the Morning Hours and Early Evening. 

Wear Your PFD. Let a friend know where and when your paddling. Hypothermia sets in very quickly when water temps drop below 

70 degree’s. Dress properly. Double bag all electronic gear. Paddle Safe. Share the Ride. 

N J 

State Police 

Paddlers Alert 

Winter 

Safety 

Waterway Video Tips 

Rancocas Creek spans numerous habitats, semi- 

wild, pristine, tidal marsh, 

natural areas in places . The Rancocas Creek Watershed embraces migratory 

ducks and other waterfowl, rail, snipe, coots or moorhens (gallinule). All legally 

hunted in NJ. 

U May Not C Them ! 

NJ Duck Hunting Boat 


Creek -NJ’s 

3rd 

TM

under 

my basilica 4 de double- bladed paddlers. 

N Branch 

Rustic Landing, 


here along thee’ knave, a sermon of the water homilies 

double- 

bladed apostolic summons a mosaic of tints, wonderfully alive.

Devonish Range & Landing 

Taylor’s 

Reach 

Melpine 

Shoal 

Lott’s 

Shelf 

Forten’s 

Point 

RSP 

“A Beautiful Place for Everyone to Enjoy” 

4/12/2018 


124

Lady Slipper, N Branch 

4/12/2018 

125

Below the Confluence 

M ain Stem – Rancocas Creek 

1877 Navigation Chart: Entrance Rancocas Creek 

“ Hens and Chicks Rocks” & “White Sheet Bay” 

1870’s Boat Hook from the Tug Minerva 

Courtesy of Burlington County Lyceum 


Main Stem: Multi-Use Tide-Water 

Playground 

Centeron Bridge 

Viewshed (West) 

Willingboro 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Mill Creek 

Willingboro Lakes 

Delran- Bridgeboro Bridge 

Delanco: Pennington Park 

Riverside 

Boundary Creek Natural 

Resource Park 

Paleo-Indian Site 

Long Woods Park 

Moorsetown 

County Greenway and County Municipal Grant 

Park Development Program 

Laurel Run County Park 

127

4. 

2. 

3. 

3. 

4. 

5. 


Creek C reek 

Front 

Parks and Tidal Protected 

Buffer Zone 

1. 

4. 

6. 

Rancocas Creek Main Stem 

C enterton Bridge to 

Bridgeboro 

Bridge 

N 

NOTE: Tidal Wetlands Buffer 

1. 


2. 


4. 

8. 

3. 


4 . 

5. 


Naturally Protected Wetlands - Tidal Buffer 

4. 

6. 

Mill Creek Park 

7. 

Borton 

Landing 

8. 

Rancocas Historic Village 

9. 

Centerton 

Bridge-County 

Greenway 

7. 

4. 

12. 

10. 

Texas 

11. 

Confluence (North and South Branch) 

12. 


9. 

9. 

4. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

4/12/2018 


128

NOT FOR NAVIGATION -NOAA BOOKLET CHART 


Confluence to the Route 130 Bridge 

S hare the Tide – Ride the Tide ! 

Willingboro 


Willingboro 

Moorsetown 

Masonville 

Mt. 

Laurel 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Emergency and other vessel access points

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

4/12/2018

Mt. 

Laurel 

TEXAS ? 


Woods

Rancocas Creek Phosphorous Match Works 

Centerton (Texas) 

Typical 

Phossy Jaw - 2015 

Ref: B Medical Journal 

C enterton – Texa s 


1886: 

Rancocas Chemical Works 

Owner: 

Gibbs & Deacon and J.J. Allen's Sons 

Products Made: 

Chemicals-Agricultural/Fertilizer 

Location: 

Centerton, Burlington County, New Jersey 

Work Title: 

Hexamer General Surveys, Volume 21 

Ref: Free Library of Philadelphia 

Chemical Retort 

Phossy Jaw on the 

Rancocas Creek ? 

Ref: 

US EPA hazard Sites 

Ref: 

Gibbs 1950 

News Report Phossy Jaw 

England 


Match Factory 

East Ornage NJ 

132


Creek National 



Stewardship 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Evaluate 

Investment 

Business Hawk Island 

NJ 

Recreation 

Access 

Take Action 

Health 

COMMON 

INTERESTS 

Government 

Assess 

Education 

Coalitions 

Academia 

Points 

of 

Interest 

Ownership 

N. Branch, Mt. Holly

Moorsetown 

- Chester 

Boundary Creek Burlington County Parks Natural 

Resource Area-Observation Platform 

( screen grab B CParks) 

Ref: Herd Register 1901 

Borton 

Landing 

1682, John and Sarah Roberts became the 

first 

English-speaking residents of Moorestown 

From pw 

schopp 

collection 

Main Stem Off 

Borton 

Landing 

Long Wood Municipal Park 

Sir Thomas Lipton Race 

“ v sl” Sandot 

Muffie-M 

oorsetown 

Owner 

Vsl 

clocked at 41.43 MPH

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Share the Tide 

Reflective Main Stem 


Protected 

Paelo-Indian 

Sites 

Typical 

Phossy Jaw - 1880’ s 

Quaker Burial Ground 

Motor Boating Rancocas Creek near 

M oorsetown ref: 

riverton 

hx 

society 

County Parkland 

Horsehead Point 

1950’s 

Sea-Scout 

Base 

Great 4/12/2018 

Blue Heron 

Fenton Island Sandbank 

135

Willingboro 


Thomas 

Ollive 

23.7-square- 

kilometer Mill Creek basin 

first toll bridge across the mill dam (1692) 

William Franklin 

Dunks Ferry 

1748-1793 

Ferry Across Rancocas Creek 

Camden Amboy Railroad 

Levittown 

Mill Creek Park 

Civic Activism 

Willingboro Lakes 

F ishing” shad – river 

Motor Boats 

1936 WPA maps 

River Steamer John Warner 

Adams Wharf 

Irish Wharf 

Borton 

Landing 

herring (stocked waters ?) 

Transported wounded Union soldiers to Willingboro hospital 

Effects of storm runoff on water quality in the Mill Creek drainage basin, Willingboro, New Jersey 

Water-Resources Investigations Report 80-98 

Willingboro, since 1688, an 

original township of Burlington 

County and the State of NJ 

4/12/2018 


136

Preserved Farm Land and County Park 

Common Merganser 


Farm Grove-Rancocas Creek 

Ref: riverton hx society 

Access at Light Rail 

R ancocas Creek – Downstream 

- Delran 

Below Centerton 

Bridge the 


Opens 

into an expansive, 

shallow tidal 

multi- 

use 

waterway. 

B ridgeboro Bridge (1793 – First One) 

Willingboro Tidal flats 

ref: 

Early 1900’s - BC Times/WJ History Project 

Off Pennington Park Burlington County Park 

4/12/2018 


137

Delaware River 

and Rancocas Creek 

Maritime Crossroads 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

“ Outstanding Scenic Feature 

4/12/2018 


138

NOT FOR NAVIGATION -NOAA BOOKLET CHART 


Delaware River to the Confluence 

Marina’s, emergency and other vessel access points

R ancocas Creek – Delaware River Maritime 

Crossroads 


“1639 Dutch Anchorage” 

A daptaive Reuse 

1960’s 

now BC P enington 

Park (no Swimming) 

Amico Island 

County Park 


Creek - Main Stem 

State, County and Municipal Parks 

Burlington County Greenway 

Willingboro Lakes (former Olympia Lakes) Burlington County Park 

PA Tidewater Delaware River Trail 



Main Stem 

BC 

A daptaive Reuse 

P enington 

Park (no Swimming) 

4/12/2018 


140

At 

the “1639 Dutch Anchorage” in the Rancocas Creek - Delaware River Maritime Crossroads 

Boating Clubs 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Delanco Ship-Yard 1920s 

Marina Cluster 

River Steamers 

Amico Island 

Dredge Harbor Marina 

Lighting Jacks Marina 

Hawk Island Marina 

4/12/2018 


141

1639 Anchorage 

Before the Ship Channel 

Note: 

Anchorage Mark 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Note: Anchorage 

Mark 


Note: Water Depth Soundings for Navigation. 

Soundings obtained by poling or “casting the lead”. 

Ref: 

Library of Congress 

Relief shown pictorially. Depths shown by soundings. 

- Shows the region of the Delaware Bay and river, natural features, and other geographical entities. 

- Pen-and- 

ink and watercolor. 

- Attributed to Joan Vinckeboons by comparison with his other Dutch maps in Henry Harrisse collection. 

- D escribed in Terrae incognitae, v. xvi, 1984. Richard W. Stephenson's The Henry Harrisse collection ... , p. 40; the third volume has binder's title "Manuscript 

maps of New- Netherland and Manhattan drawn on the spot by Joan Vingboons in 1639. 

4/12/2018 


142

Maritime History from around the “1639 Dutch Anchorage” 

1902 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Ref: 1849 

Ref: 1916 

Ref: 1860 

Ref: 1889 

4/12/2018 


143

Riverfront Access 

PA Tidewater Delaware 

River Trail 

Market Cluster 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Delran-Delanco- 

Riverside 

PA Water Trail 

Emergency Access Ramp Only 


Hawk Island Marina 

Dredge Harbor Marina 

Amico Island 


Lighting Jacks Marina 

Burlington County Park

Lightning Jacks 

Hawk island 

Marinas 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Dredge Harbor 

4/12/2018 


145 145

4/12/2018 


146

Rancocas Creek and Delaware River 

100 Years on the Delaware Valley’s Maritime Crossroads 

1850- 

1950 

- Maritime Anchorage 

Goat Locker 


1877 Rancocas Creek 

Navigation Chart 

White Sheet Bay is today Burlington County 

Parks Hawk Island Park. 

4/12/2018 


148

Rancocas Creek and the Delaware River 

Maritime Crossroads - “Goat Locker” 

1898 Steamer Fare 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Regularly scheduled trip was $0.25 one- 

way or 

$ 0.40 for a round- 

trip to Bristol or $0.50 to 

Trenton 

Jonathan Cone of the Upper Delaware River Transportation Company’s 

operated on the Delaware River for passenger trips. In 1857, introduced 

the iron-hulled JOHN A. WARNER. From PW Schopp Collection 

TWILIGHT built by the Harlan & Hollingsworth yard in 1868 

From PW Schopp Collection 

S amoset (American Ferry Steamship, 1897) 

Columbia-1898-Delanco Landing 


Centerton Bridge 


T hree Musketeers – 1930 

Model of Annie VanSciver, Rancocas Creek Streamer (1907) 


Pennsylvania Side of Delaware River 

Museum of the Albermarle, 2009 - Virginia Pilot 

4/12/2018 


149


Creek Multi-Use Tide- 

Waters 

Share the Ride 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

4/12/2018 


151

Delaware River Main Navigation Channel 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Emergency Access Ramp Only 

Amico Island 


Park 

Hawk Island 

Marina 

Dredge Harbor 

Marina 

KEY: 

1 ) Numbers represent depth of water (subject to change) 

2) 

“Range” marks specific distance - navigation marker. 

3) White marked area: Delaware River Ship Channel 

NOT FOR NAVIGATION 

Lighting Jacks 

Marina 

Lehigh Channel , off Burlington River front 

R ef: NOAA 

Coast 

P ilot. Rancocas 


Delaware 

River 

Junction 

River 

Mile 

96S, 

has 

some 

sand 

and 

gravel 

barge 

traffic 

as 

far 

as 

the 

first 

b ridge; above 

this 

point 

the 

creek 

is 

used 

only 

by 

pleasure 

b oats. Depths 

are 

about 

5 feet 

to 

Centeron 

6 miles 

above 

the 

m outh. 

The 

channel 

is 

narrow 

and 

crooked 

above 

Bridgeboro 

and 

in 

general 

follows 

ebb-tide 

bends 

back 

and 

forth 

between 

s hoals; navigation 

is 

difficult 

without 

local 

k nowledge. The 

entrance 

to 

the 

creek 

is 

marked 

by 

a 

b uoy. The 

current 

velocity 

is 

about 

1 knot 

in 

the 

e ntrance. 

Local 

Tug-Devlin Channel 

4/12/2018 


152

R ancocas 

Creek and Delaware River Maritime Crossroads 

Ecolinks 

эко-связи 

Come get me 

Possum Spice ! 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Naturally “Re-Purposed” 

Dis- 

Used Wooden 

Wharfs and Maritime Piers and Docks. 

Borton 

Landing, Moorsetown 

4/12/2018 


109

Maritime Crossroads 

Pennsylvania 

Tide-Water 



RCNWT 

Insert 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Main Stem 

N Branch 

N Branch Channel 

Mt. Holly 

Main Stem-Rancocas 

Hainesport Boat Launch 

M t. Holly Oxbow – Mill Race 

S Branch 


Lumberton 

4/12/2018 


154

Delaware River (tidewater) is a unifying symbolism with the Mid- 

Atlantic’s 

unique, 

nation- 

shaping history as the raison d'être for any Rancocas Creek - 

c entric focus to the edification of America’s maritime legacy. "Crossroads" is 

pertinent 

since that is precisely how the Delaware River Valley and its tide- 

waters figured so profoundly in the years leading to the founding and early 

development of the Republic. 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

RCNWT promotes this heritage apart from Independence Hall, Valley Forge and 

t he most obvious touchstones of the Revolutionary Period. How the little ole 


tributary served to "cont ribute" s ignificantly 

to the development of 

West New Jersey in the heart of the Delaware River Region, is simply a matter 

o f public record. There was a time when Burlington, Mt. Holly, Hainesport, 

M edford, Delran, Moorestown, Willingboro, Pemberton among several 

other 

y oung cities and todays communities 

along the Delaware and 

i ts associated waterways figured most prominently in the affairs of an emerging 

nation.... 

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155

Credits 

RCNWT 

Geo-Fact 

Thanks to All Who Helped 

B . Franklin’s 

Injury Control and Safety Program; 

Eco-Links 

M t. Holly – C itizen’s Facebook Site, Local Paddling Organizations and Associations; 

Westampton 

- 

D iscussions w/ Neighbors, and in Social Forums; 

W illingboro's 

Downstream 

- 

" S .O.S " Activists - (S ilent, 

O pinionated, 

S teadfast) ; 

L.J. 

and all the 

F olks 

Below Fenton’s; 

Special Thanks to de’ Crick’s and the County’s Rancocas Creek Watershed.... 

......“ 

Swamp Rats”, “Snappers”, “Creek- 

Angels” and 

“ C rawdaddys” 

… 

4/12/2018 


156

Locally, 

Devonish 

Regionally, Value Added; 

Nature Center 

a Unique Community Resource; 

Timbuctoo 

Nationally, a Treasure; Statewide, 

a Gem. 

Thank-You 

Confluence 

Rancocas Creek

Microsoft PowerPoint - Rancocas Creek National Water Trail master - 4211116

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