Rancocas Creek Watershed Land Use and Impacts

    The Rancocas Creek Watershed is defined by its diverse land uses including forested lands, agricultural lands growing various crops, towns varying in population size, and recreation areas that provide education and enjoyment for those in New Jersey. Each of these bring distinct environmental impacts to the watershed, with agricultural and urbanized zones being the most significant stressors while forested and recreation zones provide benefits and new challenges. The Rancocas Creek Watershed, spanning across Burlington, Camden, and Ocean County, has 2/3rds of its water laying within the Pinelands National Reserve (PNR) which is dominated by forests and wetlands. Looking at the land cover, approximately 40% is forested land, 30% is agricultural land, and 17% is urban land along the watershed with the remaining 13% being primarily wetlands and open water with small portions of barren or transitional land.

Below is a quick overview table summarizing each topic:

Quick Navigation:

• Agricultural Land
• Forestry
• Municipal Water Supply and Urbanization
• Recreation Along Rancocas Creek

Agricultural Land

    Agriculture in the Rancocas Creek Watershed is defined by preserved farmland, specialty crops like cranberries and blueberries, and small-scale livestock operations. Cranberry and blueberry farming is especially iconic to South Jersey and along the Rancocas Creek Watershed due to the Pinelands sandy, acidic soils and abundance of wetlands creating ideal growing conditions.

Preserved Farmland

    Conservation efforts for agricultural land, especially land along the watershed, are continuously evolving as large plots of land are being permanently preserved under New Jersey’s Green Acres Program and county farmland preservation initiatives. In 2023, more than 180 acres of a cranberry farm in Southampton Township was declared permanently protected, ensuring water quality, wetland habitat, and agricultural heritage are protected from developments buying out the farm which has become a large issue in New Jersey. Families such as the Mehlers have farmed cranberries for generations, joining operations with Ocean Spray in the mid 20th century and securing early conservation easements to prevent development.

Crops Grown

    Cranberries and blueberries are the Rancocas Creek Watersheds most recognized crop as these are not only found within farmland, but are scattered around in the wild from dense Pineland zones to urban areas along tributaries. Cranberries thrive in bogs with acidic, sandy solid and large amounts of water that can easily be moved, conditions fairly unique to the Pinelands. Blueberries benefit in a similar manner as the same soil chemistry and climate provides prime growing conditions, both cranberries and blueberries can typically be found in the same areas in the wild and farmers tend to grow both of them together to maximize land use. These two crops are well adapted to the Pinelands low pH soils, where most other crops would fail and is a large reason why their cultivation is economically viable and culturally important to the region. Smaller farms also grow other crops including corn, soybeans, hay, as well as your typical fruits and vegetables grown in other areas. All of these crops take from and benefit from the watersheds groundwater and dozens of smaller tributaries that are easily recharged during rainy conditions thanks to porous soils and extensive aquifers.

Livestock Presence

    While not as extensive as crop farming, preserved farmland also supports cattle, horses, goats, and poultry. Grazing animals contribute to nutrient loading and erosion when left unmanaged, but they also assist in sustaining local food systems and rural traditions as some of the cattle farms are passed down within the family. Livestock operations are generally small compared to crop farming, reflecting how farming culture favors fruit farming over pasture. Pasture grasses are fairly uncommon and difficult to maintain with sandy soil conditions. Considering most of the land area along the Rancocas Creek Watershed is forested, plowing forests to create environments to support livestock is not a viable option, especially since these forested lands are limited in fertility which is required for pasture grasses.

Forestry

    Forests along the Rancocas Creek Watershed are vital as they filter water, assist in recharge aquifers, and provide habitats needed to support the ecology of the watershed. Although 2/3rds of the watershed lies within the Pinelands National Reserve, forested lands outside the Pinelands also play an important role, however, those forested not within the PNR are at risk of fragmentation, development, and water quality degradation. 

Watershed Within the Pinelands

    As mentioned, 2/3rds of the watershed lie within the PNR, with roughly 75%-90% of that area being undeveloped forest and wetlands. Upland pine oak forests, cedar swamps, and acidic wetlands dominate with these ecosystems supporting rare species such as the banded sunfish, bluespotted sunfish, and Atlantic white cedar. The core of the Rancocas Creek Watershed is Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer which is composed of highly permeable sands, allowing rainfall and snowmelt to infiltrate rapidly. Pineland forest cover enhances this process by reducing runoff and promoting infiltration through leaf litter and expanded root systems. These forested areas also promote a more sustainable stream baseflow, allowing water to leave the aquifer and travel along the watershed as needed, a characteristic especially important during summer droughts. Without the Pinelands sandy soil and rapid infiltration capabilities, the aquifer and tributaries of the Rancocas Creek Watershed would be far more vulnerable to depletion and contamination as the sandy soil filters pollutants and stabilizes waterflow year-round. The largest threat to the watershed within the Pinelands is outfalls from local highways such as route 206, the Flying W airport and its pollution, and excessive cranberry farming reshaping stream systems. 

Forests Outside PNR

    The remaining 1/3rd of the watershed lies outside the PNR, especially the South and Southwest branches. The forest coverage in these areas is more fragmented, mixed with agriculture and suburban areas that disturb natural processes. These areas show higher pH, dissolved solids, and invasive species compared to Pineland basins. However, even fragmented forests still buffer stormwater, reduce erosion conditions, and provide habitat areas for wildlife moving along the Rancocas Creek Watershed. These forested corridors link wetlands, streams, and uplands which allows for species migration and forest biodiversity. The largest risk with fragmentation is that development outside the Pinelands Reserve is much more possible as the land is not protected or preserved and habitat integrity is put at a risk by those who not only seek to develop on the land, but by those who hunt and gather without consideration of the effects on forest ecology. These developments fragmenting the forests also increase impervious surfaces, raising pH and conductivity which favors invasive species while slowing groundwater recharge during rainfall events.

Municipal Water Supply and Urbanization

    Municipal water supply along the Rancocas Creek Watershed relies on groundwater wells and surface water withdrawals, but pumping pressures and urban stormwater runoff outside the PNR pose major risks to water quality and stream health. Protecting aquifer recharge zones, limited withdrawals, and upgrading stormwater infrastructure are critical to keeping the Rancocas Creek Watershed stable with clean water conditions. 

Municipal Water Supply

    The watershed overlies with the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer which is considered the core of the Rancocas Creek Watershed as it provides drinking water to municipalities and supports wetlands and small tributaries. Wells tap into this aquifer extensively for both municipal and agricultural use, putting a great stress on its supply which is already struggling due to recent extensive droughts. Significant withdrawals also occur directly from tributaries and reservoirs along the watershed with USGS estimating consumptive use from surface water at 0.22 inches per year and groundwater withdrawals at 0.056 inches per year in the basin. The biggest concern with municipal water supply is pumping which reduces aquifer levels, lowering stream baseflow and wetland water tables with even modest withdrawals cutting streamflow by up to 75% in sensitive Pineland branches. This is further amplified by drought conditions and certain pumping limitations being challenged by Winslow Township and companies like Clayton Sand Company. 

Urbanization and Stormwater Management

    Roughly 1/3rd of the watershed lies outside the PNR, especially along the South and Southwest branches which have become the most developed areas along the Rancocas Creek. These areas contain suburban housing, commercial corridors, and highways such as I-295 and Route 38. As of lately, much of the old agricultural land and open fields acting as transition zones have been purchased and used for new housing developments and unnecessary warehouses which have been sitting dormant for many years. Developments such as these introduce impervious surfaces that reduce infiltration and increase pollutant runoff which threatens water quality, water that is used for municipal supply. Developed basins show an elevated pH, dissolved solids, fecal coliforms, and phosphorus concentrations compared to forested Pinelands basins that are better protected from development and have supported ecosystems. These altered conditions also support non-native species which put a strain on watershed health over time and native plants struggle to thrive or may be replaced by other species entirely. 

    Stormwater management goes hand in hand with urbanization, especially along the Rancocas Creek Watershed. Numerous stormwater outfalls discharge directly into creeks, including sites at I-295 in Westampton which cuts directly into the Rancocas Creek and the Flying W airport in Lumberton which cuts through smaller tributaries. Stormwater runoffs carry oils, heavy metals, road salt, nutrients, and bacteria into tributaries which all degrade the watershed over time. Although livestock farming is minimal, stormwater still carries bacteria from fecal matter as well as nutrients from fertilizer in crop farming, both of which infiltrate the sandy soil quickly and easily. With newer developments and highway construction, heavy metals and waste and pollutants from construction sites are easily carried away from developments and into smaller tributaries that branch out into these areas. On top of those challenges, runoff accelerates streambank erosion and raises flood risks, especially in the South Branch floodplain as it combines large drainages, expansive urbanization, and tidal influence which make it more prone to flooding and erosion. Restoration efforts by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and Burlington County prioritize streambank stabilization, wetland restoration, and stormwater retrofits to reduce pollutant loads.

Recreation Along Rancocas Creek

    Recreation in the Rancocas Creek Watershed includes hiking, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, birdwatching, and nature education for all ages. These activities provide ecological awareness, health benefits, and tourism value; however, they also bring challenges such as erosion, litter, wildlife disturbances, and the need for careful management of access, especially in PNR areas. 

Activities and Benefits

    Recreation in the Rancocas Creek watershed spans a wide range of activities that highlight its natural and cultural richness. Kayaking and canoeing are especially popular along the tidal South Branch and non‑tidal North Branch, where paddlers can explore forested wetlands and historic mill sites. Hiking trails in Rancocas State Park and the Rancocas Nature Center provide access to cedar swamps, meadows, and birding hotspots, while others can fish for bass and sunfish, however, fish that are caught cannot be consumed due to contamination levels in the waters. Birdwatchers also admire certain areas and can see herons, kingfishers, and migratory species while the Nature Center offers guided walks and educational programs that connect families and students to the watershed’s ecology. Together, these activities promote conservation awareness, support eco‑tourism, and strengthen community identity by linking recreation to both natural landscapes and historic heritage. 

Challenges In Supporting Recreations 

    Supporting recreation, however, requires balancing access with environmental protection. Launch sites for kayaks and canoes often suffer from bank erosion, while heavy trail use can spread invasive species and damage sensitive habitats, especially by those who use ATV’s and dirt bikes. Litter and noise from motorized boats or nearby highways disturb wildlife, and flood risks in the South Branch floodplain complicate safe access for paddlers and hikers. Water quality issues such as elevated fecal coliform and phosphorus concentrations limit safe fishing and swimming, limiting recreational potential. Infrastructure like trails, signage, and stormwater controls must be maintained, and seasonal restrictions are sometimes necessary to protect nesting birds or amphibians, however, support isn’t always easy to come by as volunteers are sparse and funding is limited. These challenges highlight the need for careful management strategies so that recreations can continue to support the watershed without compromising its ecological health.

References:

Burlington County Department of Resource Conservation. (2003). Clean and plentiful water: A management plan for the Rancocas Creek watershed. Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. (2006). Prioritization of potential streambank stabilization and habitat restoration projects: Rancocas Creek floodplain. Trenton, NJ: State of New Jersey.

Rose, R., Poster, M., & Afriol, J. (1998). Management plan RAMP: Rancocas Action and Management Plan. Public Advisory Committee of the Rancocas Creek Watershed.

Rose, R., Poster, M., & Afriol, J. (2016). Rancocas Action & Management Plan (RAMP). University of Delaware, Regional Watershed Management Program.

Carleton, G. B., & Pope, D. A. (2023). Hydrologic effects of possible changes in water‑supply withdrawals from, and effluent recharge to, the Kirkwood‑Cohansey aquifer system, Winslow Township, Camden County, New Jersey (Scientific Investigations Report 2023–5002). U.S. Geological Survey. https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20235002

Charles, E. G., & Nicholson, R. S. (2012). Simulation of groundwater flow and hydrologic effects of groundwater withdrawals from the Kirkwood‑Cohansey aquifer system in the Pinelands of southern New Jersey (Scientific Investigations Report 2012–5122). U.S. Geological Survey. https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20125122

Walker, R. L., Nicholson, R. S., & Storck, D. A. (2011). Hydrologic assessment of three drainage basins in the Pinelands of southern New Jersey, 2004–06 (Scientific Investigations Report 2011–5056). U.S. Geological Survey. https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20115056

New Jersey Pinelands Commission. (2003). Kirkwood‑Cohansey Project: Hydrologic and ecological assessment of groundwater diversions and impacts on wetlands and aquatic communities. Trenton, NJ: Pinelands Commission. Retrieved from https://www.nj.gov/pinelands