Maurice River Watershed

The Maurice River originates in Gloucester and Salem counties and flows into the Delaware Bay at the southern end of Cumberland County. The Maurice River forms part of the border between Salem and Cumberland Counties. The drainage basin of the Maurice River is 385 square miles altogether, making it one of the largest watersheds in New Jersey. The length of the Maurice River from its northernmost headwaters to its mouth is 58 miles. The river is tidal below Union Lake in Millville, Cumberland County. Within Gloucester County the watershed (referred to as the Upper Maurice River watershed) encompasses 74 square miles. This area includes all of Newfield Township and Clayton Borough and parts of the Borough of Glassboro and the Townships of Elk, Franklin, and Monroe.

The three main branches of the river located within Gloucester County are Still Run, Little Ease Run, and Scotland Run. The three stream systems come together in Willow Grove Lake, located just below the Gloucester border in Pittsgrove Township, Salem County. Most of the headwaters of Little Ease Run are within the Glassboro Wildlife Management Area in Glassboro, although Beaverdam Branch begins in Monroe Township. West Clayton Branch, Reed Branch, and Elwell Branch are tributaries to Still Run, and Kinard Branch, Hell Branch, Jericho Branch, Indian and Hays Branches, and Malaga Branch are tributaries to Scotland Run. Both Burnt Mill Branch, which drains from Newfield Borough, and Blackwater Branch flowing from the southwestern corner of Franklin Township, travel across Vineland in Cumberland County to join the Maurice River main channel below Willow Grove Lake. Major lakes within Gloucester County include Silver Lake, Wilson Lake, Garrison Lake, Franklinville Lake, Iona Lake, and Malaga Lake.

The river was called “Wauhatquenack” by the Lenape Indians. The current name is thought to have come from the name of a Dutch ship, the Prince Maurice, which burned and sank in 1657 below present day Mauricetown, Cumberland County. The name of the river is pronounced like “Morris,” with the accent on the first syllable.

The Maurice River watershed is home to more than half of the species of plants and animals listed on the New Jersey Threatened and Endangered Species List.

Return to the main Maps or Gloucester County Watersheds page.