Watershed Management Area 19
Rancocas

Watershed Management Area 19 is the largest watershed in south central New Jersey, and is comprised of the North Branch, South Branch and Mainstem of the Rancocas Creek, including Mill Creek. Portions of Burlington, Camden, and Ocean Counties, and approximately 33 municipalities are included in this management area which covers 360 square miles, and reaches deep into the Pinelands.

Of the 360 square miles, the North Branch drains 167 square miles and 144 miles is drained by the South Branch. The North Branch is 31 miles long and is fed by the Greenwood Branch, McDonalds Branch and Mount Misery Brook. The major tributaries to the South Branch include the Southwest Branch Rancocas Creek, Stop the Jade Run, Haynes Creek and Friendship Creek.

The mainstem flows about 8 miles and drains an area of approximately 49 square miles before emptying into the Delaware River at Delanco and Riverside. Tidal influence occurs for about 15 stream miles extending the entire length of the mainstream to the dam at Mount Holly on the North Branch, Vincentown on the South Branch and Kirby Mills on the Southwest Branch.

For additional information on the Rancocas Watershed Management Area, please contact:

Mike Haberland, WMA 19 Area Manager
Mike.Haberland@dep.state.nj.us
(609) 633-7714

Watershed Management Area 19 Map
Watershed Management Area 19 Factsheet (PDF Format)

Watershed Plans
Clean and Plentiful Water: A Management Plan for the Rancocas Creek Watershed (completed in 2003)
Prioritization of Potential Streambank Stabilization and Habitat Restoration Projects in the Rancocas Creek Watershed

Priority Segment for Restoration
Mill Creek

TMDL Implementation Priorities
Phosphorus TMDL for Rancocas Creek

Active Projects

Section 319(h) NPS Grant: Smithville Farm Environmental Restoration Project Phase 2 - Mill Creek Burlington County Soil Conservation District In Progress The primary focus of the grant was the implementation of stormwater and agricultural management practices at the Smithville County Park, Burlington County. The last portion which is a task noted for implementation in the report, Prioritization of Potential Streambank Stabilization and Habitat Restoration Projects in the Rancocas Creek Watershed, will restore a 100 linear foot section of the tidal section of the Rancocas Creek within a Willingboro Township Municipal Park.

Section 319(h) NPS Grant: Onsite Wastewater Management Program for the North Branch Rancocas Creek Burlington County

WMA 19 Partnerships
WMA 19 was one of the first Watershed Management Areas established for the management resources on a holistic level. The management group meets regularly twice a year. Active participants include the municipal wastewater dischargers, the agricultural community, Burlington County Soil Conservation District, Burlington County Land Use Office, Pinelands Preservation Alliance and the Rancocas Watershed Association. The group is active in providing recommendations to the Department in C-1 designation, wastewater planning, stormwater and TMDL issues.

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