Cooper River
The Cooper River is located on the New Jersey side and flows from behind the City of Camden, the mouth of the river being upriver of the Ben Franklin Bridge, just behind Pettys Island. There's not much to see and very little to recommend to boaters traveling the Delaware River. A possible anchorage would be just inside the mouth, the approaches being protected by Pettys Island. About a quarter mile upriver is the State Street Bridge, clearance about six feet at high tide, which no longer opens to river traffic. The rest of the lower river is unattractive and much silted.
There are two marine facilities nearby. Just west of the mouth is Pyne Poynt Marine Services, phone: 856-966-1352 (39° 57.4' N, 75° 06.7' W ). This is a do-it-yourself boatyard with few amenities. Further in behind Pettys Island is the Farragut Sportsmen Club, phone not listed (39° 57.5' N, 75° 06.2' W). This private club has limited services.
Most of the upper Cooper River, above a low-head dam, is in the Cooper River Park, a part of the County Parks System. For those looking for a protected waterway to launch their small daysailer or to get in some rowing with their shell or skiff, there is a mile-long stretch of river dedicated to sailing and rowing (no power boats allowed). The Cooper River Yacht Club, phone 856-869-9145 (39° 55.5' N, 75° 04.1' W), has a large storage yard for members' boats. The club also offers sailing instructions and sponsors several race series.
If you're trailering your boat, there is a concrete ramp west of the yacht club. And this little jewel is only seven miles from center city Philadelphia.
Thank you for this useful and interesting description of the Cooper River, from Janis and Pat, good friends from the Coast Guard Auxiliary, 5NR, 2-76 Flotilla.
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