User:Oglem/Sharps run

Sharp's Run

Overview

Sharp's Run refers to a stream in Northwestern Burlington County, New Jersey. This stream is part of the Rancocas Creek Watershed, and drains into the Southwest Branch Rancocas Creek. Sharp's Run is one of the largest tributaries of the Southwest Branch Rancocas Creek. Sharp's Run has a drainage basin of 4.41 square miles, and flows through Evesham and Medford townships in Burlington County, New Jersey. It is about 4.1 miles long, and approximately 25 feet wide by 2 feet deep (in most places). The river's source is in Evesham, and the mouth is in Medford, New Jersey, and it flows from West to East.

Sharp's Run has been given a Habitat Analysis, and this analysis rates Sharp's Run with a score of 138, suboptimal. It has also been defined as a low gradient stream, with a slow flow rate and clear water. Sharp's Run drains a mostly suburban/rural area, with woodlands intermixing with housing complexes and urban surfaces.

Tributaries

Sharp's Run has many tributaries, but none of them have official names.

History

In the 19th century, along the banks of Sharp's Run and especially near its headwaters in Evesham, there were once many marl operations. This still leaves many pits along the immediate vicinity to this day, mainly in the woodlands where the land is most undisturbed. The marl was used for farming purposes.

Accidents

There have been no major accidents or spills along the banks of Sharp's Run, but there have been multiple damaging floods during heavy rains near the mouth of the river. The stretches near the mouth are also prone to flooding, sometimes shutting down roads during very heavy rain.