Photo courtesy of Michael Hogan
Watershed Facts - 19 total stream miles Contact Information |
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Overview
Despite the location of a superfund site near its mouth (Bridgeport Rental and Oil Superfund Site in Logan Township whose cleanup has recently been completed), industrial sites and municipal sewage treatment plants located along its banks, and increasing development throughout its watershed, the Raccoon Creek has maintained much of its ecological integrity and is one of the most important creeks in southern New Jersey. Recent ecological surveys of the Raccoon Creek reveal that the creek and adjoining habitats are relatively pristine and undisturbed. The vegetation and wildlife are very diverse. The combination of wetland and upland species combine to make the area special. The number and diversity of migrating birds, especially neotropical migrants, demonstrates the importance of the area to these species as a migratory stopover. The Raccoon Creek hosts American bald eagles, tens of thousands of migrating shorebirds and waterfowl, including northern pintail ducks, egrets and herons, and more than twenty-on species of fish.
The Raccoon's wetlands function as natural flood control devices effectively preventing economic losses downstream and eliminating the need to construct and maintain costly water control devices. Its forests and adjacent brushy areas act as buffers, protecting water quality, serving as shelter for the wildlife that uses the creek, and providing important habitat for migratory birds.
The creek is well suited for various recreational activities such as birding, canoeing, hiking, photography and fishing. One can frequently observe area residents and visitors enjoying each of these activities.
History
Raccoon Creek was home to the Narraticons, and aboriginal tribe belonging to the Lenni-Lenape. who lived along the Delaware River upon the arrival of the Dutch, the first European settlers in the area. The Indian name for the creek was Narraticons-sippus. Narraticon is the Indian word for "raccoon", an animal that dwelt in great numbers along the creek. Evidence of the Narraticon can still be found along the creek banks in the scattered arrowheads and piles of freshwater oyster shells that they left behind.
Not long after the first short-lived Dutch settlements along the Big Timber Creek were established, the second group of Europeans to settle in West Jersey, the Swedes, arrived. In the early 17th century, the Swedes landed at the mouth of Raccoon Creek and built a town known as "Raccoon" where present-day Swedesboro is located. It was a part of the "New Sweden" colony. Another "New Sweden" town settled somewhat later was Molica's Hill (now known as Mullica Hill).
By the end of the 17th century, the next wave of European colonists arrived, this time from England. Some disembarked at the mouth of Raccoon Creek and found their way into the old Swedish towns. The English became the first permanent settlers of West Jersey. Along the banks of the Raccoon Creek the early European settlers built and left behind the historic churches, great mansions, sturdy farmhouses, and quaint villages we still enjoy today.
The creek also served as a highway of commerce to the interior of the county for the early settlers and was navigable to sailing vessels inland to Mullica Hill. It was the most convenient way to bring lumber, farm goods and other products to the Philadelphia market as late as the early 20th century.
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, regular shipping routes were run from creek villages to Philadelphia in the navigable areas. A steamboat service located on the creek connected Gloucester County with Philadelphia, Wilmington, and other South Jersey locations.
Threats to the Creek
The Raccoon Creek's water quality continues to be threatened form point and non-point source pollution. As a result of the agricultural runoff caused by fertilizer and manure applications, pollution from malfunctioning on-site disposal systems, municipal and industrial discharges, storm water runoff and commercial development along the creek, the quality of water within Raccoon Creek Watershed ranges from good to poor.