Compton's Creek is one of three tidal waterways located in the north portion of Middletown Township , Monmouth County , NJ that empty to the Sandy Hook Bay . Compton Creek and Ware Creek to the east are situated in the Belford section of Middletown and Pews Creek to the west is situated in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown . Compton's Creek is located about four-fifths of a mile west of the Leonardo Naval Pier and about a mile and a quarter east of Pews Creek.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) ( Sandy Hook Quadrangle Map) , Compton Creek originates at the confluence of Mill Brook and Town Brook, located in the wooded area north of St. Mary’s High School in the Belford/New Monmouth section of Middletown about 1.5 miles south of the Bay. However, the Middletown Tax Maps depict the origin of Compton's Creek to be near the intersection of Tindall Road, Mountain Hill Road, and Route 35, over 3.5 miles from the Sandy Hook Bay. The circuitous route of Compton Creek easily would add-up to double the straight line distances described here.

In any event, Compton's Creek proper receives flow from Mill Brook, Town Brook, and several unnamed tributaries comprising a sub-watershed of approximately 8.75 square miles.

The southern, upstream reaches of Compton's Creek are comprised of a 10-30 feet wide channel routed through phragmites-dominated floodplain. The Creek is crossed by Route 36, the Henry Hudson Trail (old Central Railroad right-of-way), Campbell Avenue , Broadway, and Church Street .

North of Broadway, Compton's Creek enters a 2,000-foot wide Salt Hay Grass-dominated floodplain criss-crossed by tens of drainage and mosquito ditches excavated prior to the 1940s. The lower, northern section of this floodplain is bisected by Church Street and bordered to the north by Port Monmouth Road , to the east by Main Street (Belford) and to the west by Main Street (Port Monmouth).

The northern bends of Compton's Creek are home to the Belford Fishing Fleet at Belford Harbor (formerly known as Shoal Harbor ). The bridge over Main Street at the heart of the fishing port was removed during the 1980s. The majority of Compton Creek from Main Street to the terminus at Sandy Hook Bay has been bulkheaded with improved docks for the fishing fleet and the former menhaden fish processing plant that was located just west of the Creek’s inlet. A rock groin acts as a breakwater for boats leaving and entering the Creek. The Compton Creek fishing port is currently home to dozens of fishing boats, the Belford Fisherman’s Cooperative, two fish markets and a restaurant.

According to the National Park Service-New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail website, the community of Belford is more than 200 years old and is reported to be home to the oldest fishing port on the East Coast. Many of its fishermen are third and fourth generation. It maintains a fleet of approximately 30 boats, including six lobster boats, six clamming boats, fifteen trawlers, and three seining boats.

Compton's Creek along with Pews Creek and Ware Creek are natural open-space areas that provide benefits to the Bayshore including floodwater control, habitat for wildlife and all the benefits of coastal wetlands. Threats to these sub-watersheds include single-family residential development along the marginal upland areas as well as waterfront residential development as seen in the Dunes at Shoal Harbor Townhome development and the neighboring Park Ferry Townhome development. Protection of these waterways and surrounding floodplains is essential to the quality of life and character of the Bayshore and protection of natural resources.

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