This page created and maintained by Sal Mangiafico, Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
Swimming and Boating in Lakes
For information on swimming and boating in lakes, see the Public Lakes in the Cohansey Watershed page.
Boating in Tidal Waters
The Cohansey River below the Sunset Lake Dam is tidal. Boating in this section of the river near Bridgeton is a treat, but the river here may be shallow during low tide.
Once access point to the tidal Cohansey River is the boat dock in downtown Bridgeton (location).
From there, one can kayak upstream during high or incoming tide to a secondary dam for Sunset Lake (location of access point there).
It’s also possible to paddle downstream of Bridgeton, but it is recommended to not kayak or canoe in unfamiliar parts of the river without a knowledgeable guide or research beforehand. There may be places in the lower Cohansey with public access appropriate to put in or take out a kayak.
Larger craft
Lower parts of the river will accommodate larger sail and motorized craft. There are commercial marinas on the Cohansey River close to Delaware Bay.
Tide tables
Tide and stage data can be obtained from the U.S. Geological Survey (link). A somewhat more user friendly site showing current tide conditions is MyCoast (link).
MyCoast also has a phone app which allows easy access to local tide data. Link.
Hiking
There are several beautiful spots in the Cohansey River watershed that have maintained hiking trails. Most trails are relatively flat and easy in difficultly, although some areas may be wet or have some elevation changes. Notable places include Bridgeton City Park, Cohansey Wildlife Management Area, and PSEG Estuary Enhancement Program at Green Swamp. You are likely to find blueberries, rhododendrons, and native marsh grasses on your journeys.
Many trails in the area are mapped on OpenStreetMap (link). A phone app which displays this data, clearly displaying trails is Organic Maps. These trails are often imported into AllTrails (link). AllTrails can also be accessed on a mobile browser or through phone apps.
Birding
The natural areas in the Cohansey River watershed support a rich tapestry of avian species, including waterfowl, song birds, and raptors. Bald eagles are relatively common in the watershed, and can be spotted nesting or hunting along the river or lakes in the watershed. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection released their New Jersey Bald Eagle Report in 2022, documenting the resurgence of bald eagles in the state, and especially in our region. A map of eagle nests is included (Link). Remember to never annoy or harass eagles or their nests.
