Oldmans Creek Watershed

Oldmans Creek drains an area of 44 square miles and is 20 miles long. The creek forms half of the boundary between Gloucester and Salem Counties. The creek is tidal up to a point near the boundary between Woolwich and South Harrison Townships. A large tidal marsh, Pedricktown Marsh, located between Logan Township in Gloucester County and Oldmans Township in Salem County, is known as a particularly important stopover site for migratory waterfowl.

The original inhabitants within the Oldmans Creek were a sub-tribe of the Lenape Indians known as the Kagkakaini Sakins. Their name for the creek was the “Mosackas,” the meaning of which is unknown. “Oldmans Creek” is a variation on the name “Aldermans Creek,” given to the waterway by the Dutch.

Oldmans Creek has one main channel without significant branching but with many tributaries. Major ones are Tide Branch, Beaver Creek, Indian Branch (Gloucester County), Ebenezers Branch, Rainey Run, Porches Creek, Indian Run (Salem County), Marl Run, and Lincoln Stream. Two major lakes, Algonquin Lake and Harrisonville Lake, are located in the watershed in South Harrison Township.

The creek flows through seven municipalities. Those on the Gloucester County side from southeast to northwest are Elk, South Harrison, Woolwich, and Logan Townships. In Salem County the creek flows from Upper Pittsgrove Township through Pilesgrove Township to empty into the Delaware River on the north side of Oldmans Township.

Return to the main Maps or Gloucester County Watersheds page.