Matawan Creek, Tidal inlet in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States
Matawan Creek originates as Bakers Brook in Marlboro Township and flows northward through Aberdeen Township until reaching Keyport Harbor at Raritan Bay. The waterway is tidal in nature, with its character shaped by the way saltwater enters and retreats with ocean tides.
Two fatal shark attacks took place in the creek in July 1916, killing 11-year-old Lester Stillwell and rescuer Stanley Fisher. These events became a turning point in how Americans understood coastal water safety and influenced public awareness of ocean dangers.
The name comes from the Southern Unami language and refers to natural erosion patterns that were once distinctive along the waterway. Walking along the banks today, you can still observe how the water and soil interact, shaping the landscape.
Several marinas below Route 35 offer access points for small private boats to navigate the tidal sections. Visiting during high tide provides better water depth for easier movement through the waterway.
The Matawan Formation, a geological layer, was named after rock exposures visible along the creek and nearby areas. This formation holds importance for understanding Earth's history and is marked by layers that geologists continue to study.
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