Welcome to the Maurice River!

The Maurice River and its tributaries, the Menantico, Manumuskin, and the Muskee, flow through five southern New Jersey municipalities, four of which are located in rural Cumberland County. As small creeks the narrow freshwater tributaries, overhung with trees, meander through Vineland and Buena Vista Township; by the time they reach Millville, Maurice River Township, and Commercial Township their size has increased, and they are navigable by motorboat. The Maurice itself widens to become Union Lake at Millville and from there it winds through south Millville and, flanked by low salt marsh, divides Commercial and Maurice River Townships on its trip to the Delaware Bay.
History
As told by historian Herbert Vanaman, it was on the Maurice River in Dorchester where the Dutch ship, the Prince Maurice, is reported to have sunk and to have given the river its name Read More
Things to Do
Each of the four designated rivers: the Maurice, the Menantico, the Manumuskin, and the Muskee; has its own unique characteristics. Of particular interest, the Manumuskin River basin harbors thirty-two rare plants Read More
Townships

Historic Maurice River

Historically the Maurice River has an extensive maritime history centering around oystering and other fisheries. This rich cultural background is a primary reason for the inclusion of the river system in the Wild and Scenic program. Together with the area's unparalleled natural resources, including numerous threatened and endangered plant, animal, and bird species, it makes the watershed a unique place to visit.

Historic Maurice River
Commercial Township



Other Sites of Interest

  • Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and its Tributaries - History, information, and action items about the Maurice River's grassroots conservation organization.
  • East Point Lighthouse - History and information about the 1849 lighthouse at the mouth of the Maurice River.li>
  • Natural Lands Trust - Land protection efforts include a 1,000-acre Mauricetown Preserve and the Peek Preserve near Millville.
  • The Nature Conservancy - TNC protects lands along the Maurice River and the Delaware Bay, and maintains its Delaware Bayshores Office at the Eldora Preserve near Delmont.
  • New Jersey Pinelands Commission - Information about the Pinelands Protection Area.
  • Pinelands Preservation Alliance - The Pinelands' non-profit watchdog organization.
  • New Jersey Audubon - Birding and birding workshops in NJ.
  • Haskin Shellfish Research Lab - The Rutgers oyster research site in Cumberland County.
  • Discover Delaware Bay - The Bayshore Center at Bivalve, home of the oyster schooner the AJ Meerwald.
  • Cumberland County Birding - Prime birdwatching sites in the county.



    • This site conceived and maintained by Leslie M. Ficcaglia / Minnamuska Creek Studio (lficcaglia at igc.org)