Raritan River

The Raritan River is a river in the U.S. state of New Jersey that drains much of the central region of the state, emptying into the Raritan Bay near Staten Island on the Atlantic Ocean. The river's name possibly derives from a branch of the Lenape people called the Nariticongs, who were the first people known to settle the Raritan Valley. The river played a crucial role in colonial travel and trade, and its location between New York and Philadelphia made it an important transportation route. The construction of the Delaware and Raritan Canal in 1834 further increased the river's significance, providing a critical link between Philadelphia and New York. Today, the river and its tributaries are home to a variety of fish species, and measures have been taken to reduce pollution and increase water quality.learn more on wikipedia