New Jersey is home to dozens of rivers, brooks, creeks and streams. Major rivers include the Manasquan, Maurice, Mullica, Rahway, Raritan, Musconetcong, Hudson, Hackensack, Delaware and Passaic. Each of these rivers has tributaries and the Passaic River has a very unique tributary.

The Passaic River runs for approximately 80 miles between Mendham and Newark.
Flickr/Steven Reynolds
It meanders through towns including Summit, Chatham, Fairfield, Little Falls, Clifton and Nutley along the way.
Flickr/Shinya Suzuki
The Passaic River has several tributaries including Second River (running along Mill Street in Belleville) and Third River (near Clifton Commons, to Clarks Pond in Bloomfield).
Image/Google Maps
It also has a First River, but you won't find it on any modern map.
Flickr/Bogdan Migulski
Beginning at the confluence of Mill Brook and Branch Brook, First River is the first main tributary of the Passaic River.
Flickr/Shinya Suzuki

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This map from 1891 still has the river labeled (circled in blue).
Image/Mapmakers.Rutgers.Edu
It once flowed into the beautiful Branch Brook Lake but was culvertised between 1863-1890.
Flickr/Joshua Siniscal
A culvert is a structure that allows water to flow under a road or other obstruction. A culvert may be made from a pipe, reinforced concrete or other material.
Wikipedia/Sickter6.
The First River culverts divert the river underground from the Branch Brook Park Skating Center to the Clay Street Bridge (approximately), where it flows back into the Passaic.
Wikipedia/Jim Henderson
The map below highlights where the culverts divert the river (approximately).
Image/Google Maps
So, the next time you're marveling at the Cherry Blossoms at Branch Brook, take a moment to remember the river you may be standing right over.
Flickr/Shinya Suzuki

First River runs through two culverts, each 6 feet 9 inches high and 9 1/4 feet wide. Why was it diverted underground? It had outlived its usefulness as a body of water and it was decided that it was more important for homes and roads to be built where the river flowed. Additionally, the rapid urbanization of the area increased the need for sewer systems, which the river became a part of. In 1924, a new sewer system was built and any need for First River faded away. Now, its existence is little more than a memory – even though it continues to flow.

While the Passaic River is currently not suitable for swimming, there are rivers in New Jersey which are safe for summer fun! Head to the Delaware, with its public beach (Turtle Beach) and wonderful tubing opportunities. To learn a more, click here.

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