Passaic, river, United States

Passaic, river, c.80 mi (130 km) long, rising near Morristown, NE N.J., and flowing with a winding course NE then S past several industrial towns to Newark Bay. It is navigable by large vessels to the rapids above Passaic. At Paterson is the Great Falls of the Passaic (70 ft/21.3 m high), a national natural landmark. The river's power aided the growth of industry in NE New Jersey that began in the late 18th cent.

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