Ken Lockwood Gorge is between Califon and High Bridge in Lebanon Township of Hunterdon County, New Jersey . It was purchased in 1948 by the Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife and has been referred to as “one of New Jersey's most beautiful places.” It is presently administered by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife .
7-511: The 2½-mile (4 km) stretch of the South Branch Raritan River comprises the central feature of this 563-acre (228 ha) Wildlife Management Area . Steep, hilly woodlands host a plethora of flora and fauna including both game and non-game varieties, including a diverse population of birds and mammals. Ken Lockwood Gorge is best known as a trout fishing destination. The New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife has designated
14-608: Is a 50-mile-long (80 km) tributary of the Raritan River in New Jersey . The source of the South Branch is the outflow from Budd Lake , a glacial remnant located a few miles northeast of Hackettstown . The river flows out of Morris County , down the middle of Hunterdon County , and along the western edge of Somerset County . At its end, it forms the border between Branchburg and Hillsborough Townships and, upon reaching
21-674: The North Branch. Today the area is generally referred to as "The Confluence". In the 1970s, the state discussed plans for a Raritan Confluence Reservoir, which have been shelved due to acquisition costs. The river’s local grassroots organization is the South Branch Watershed Association . Their mission is to “Protect the Water Resources of the South Branch of the Raritan River and its Watershed”. Established in 1959,
28-618: The South Branch Watershed Association is one of the oldest and largest watershed associations in New Jersey, covering 276 square miles, 3 counties and 25 municipalities. The group offers homeowner well testing, environmental education, river monitoring, annual river cleanup and stream restoration. Both North and South branches of the Raritan run nearly parallel southwards, east and west of one another, but receive their names from
35-403: The area as a "Trout Conservation Area", in which a separate set of rules apply. The limits are different from most other sections of the Raritan River, and fishing with bait is prohibited. The gorge is named after Kenneth F. Lockwood , an outdoor journalist and conservationist. Ken Lockwood was best known for his column, "Out In The Open", which ran in the now-defunct Newark Evening News . He
42-560: The border of Bridgewater Township, joins the North Branch Raritan River to form the Raritan River , which generally flows eastward from that point. This area where the branches converge was called "Tucca-Ramma-Hacking" by the Lenape meaning the flowing together of water. It was called "Two Bridges" by the early European settlers, after a set of bridges built in 1733 that met at a small island (the island has washed away over time) on
49-491: Was also a strong advocate for land conservation, promoting setting aside land for hunting and fishing. Ken Lockwood died on April 2, 1948, on the way home from his weekly radio program. Ken Lockwood Gorge was named after him a short time later. The Columbia Trail passes through the gorge and crosses the river on the Ken Lockwood Gorge Bridge . South Branch Raritan River The South Branch Raritan River
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