The Musconetcong River

From Graphite Lab to River Park: A Community’s Commitment to Improve River Access

Flowing from Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, to the Delaware River, the Musconetcong River played a key role in the formation of the many towns along its banks and was vital to the Lenape Tribe who lived and worked along the river. Since the 1700’s, folks in the area established mills along the river by harnessing the power of moving water to process grain and eventually graphite. In 2006, the Musconetcong River was designated as a Partnership Wild and Scenic River under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in part because of this rich and dynamic history.

Near the town of Asbury, the river flows around a small island--a favorite place for local river-goers to fish, boat, and swim. However, an old graphite lab on the island makes accessing this island difficult and even unsafe.

An old graphite lab stands on the Musconetcong Island, which is a popular but unsafe river access. The project will remove the structure except the building’s historic foundation and rebuild the stairs from the road. © NPS

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, The National Park Foundation and New Jersey Green Acres are helping to fund a project on the Musconetcong River to remove the graphite lab and provide safe access to the site. In its place, the Musconetcong Watershed Association will install interpretation signs about the building, record oral histories of former workers, and create a public park. Though it will take several years to complete, the community is committed to providing access and protecting their river.

Aside from removing the building, the project will improve river access on the island by clearing out debris and restoring native plants. © Andrew Curtis

“Creating a park by removing this dilapidated building has been a long goal of the Musconetcong Watershed Association,” says Alan Hunt, Musconetcong Watershed Association director. “It’s a great 50th Anniversary project that symbolizes the partnerships involved in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.”

There are other reasons to celebrate communities and local rivers this year! Visit the 50th anniversary event page to learn more about wild and scenic rivers and events happening near you.