Raritan Headwaters Association (RHA) is on a mission to protect water in our rivers, our streams and our homes. The 470-square-mile region provides drinking water to more than 1.8 million residents of 38 municipalities in Hunterdon, Morris, and Somerset Counties and beyond, into the state’s urban areas. We are the largest watershed organization in New Jersey with thousands of members, participants and volunteers. RHA protects, preserves, and improves water quality and other natural resources through our highly regarded science, education, and advocacy programs. Since 1959 we have:
- Educated more than 60,000 school children in our WaterWays, RiverFest and other formal and informal science education programs
- Helped preserve 6,800 acres of land and natural habitat
- Removed more than 90 tons of trash from streams and waterways
- Completed 30,000 well tests in 40 New Jersey municipalities
- Monitored 1,400 miles of streams for pollution, engaging hundreds of citizen scientists
- Influenced land use decisions and policies that protect water resources
The drainage basin of the entire Raritan River covers approximately 1,100 square miles, making it the largest river basin located entirely within the State of New Jersey. The South Branch of the Raritan River is 51 miles long from its source in Budd Lake to its confluence with the North Branch in Branchburg. The North Branch of the Raritan River originates as a spring-fed stream in Morris County to day soccer tips and flows south for approximately 23 miles to its confluence with the South Branch. The Raritan River empties into Raritan Bay on the Atlantic Ocean.