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We’re excited to announce Senior Wildlife Biologist and Ecologist Mike McGraw, CSE, QAWB, ACE is a co-author of a newly published study in Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, a leading journal in agroecological research. The paper, “Is regenerative agriculture for the birds? Outcomes are practice and species specific,” offers fresh insight into how regenerative farming practices affect the abundance and diversity of bird species across working landscapes in the Northern Great Plains of the US and Canada.
The full paper is available for free via an open-access link until January 13. We encourage everyone interested in wildlife conservation, regenerative agriculture, or avian ecology to take advantage of this limited-time access. Click here to read it now.
Regenerative agriculture is often heralded as a win-win for soil health, productivity, and biodiversity, but how exactly do these practices affect bird communities? Birds are highly sensitive to agricultural change, and many North American species have experienced significant declines due to intensification of farming practices. The newly published study takes a closer, science-driven look at whether regenerative approaches can help reverse these trends.
Drawing on extensive point counts, distance sampling, and acoustic recording units across agricultural landscapes, the research team examined nine common regenerative practices, including cover cropping, integrating livestock, eliminating tillage, and enhancing field margins. Rather than assuming a blanket benefit, the study asked a nuanced question: Which birds benefit from which practices, and why?
This work helps refine what regenerative agriculture can contribute to working-lands conservation and provides actionable, species-specific insights for farmers, land managers, and conservation practitioners.
Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment is a leading interdisciplinary journal that publishes high-impact research at the intersection of agroecology, land management, and environmental science. The journal focuses on how agricultural systems function, how they influence the environment, and how environmental change shapes those systems in return. Research featured in this publication is known for being data-rich, hypothesis-driven, and globally relevant.
This publication represents a collaborative effort among a team of researchers dedicated to understanding how regenerative agriculture shapes biodiversity in working landscapes. The authors contributed expertise in avian ecology, agricultural management, statistical analysis, and landscape science, bringing a multi-disciplinary lens to this important study.
Mike J. McGraw, CSE, QAWB, ACE, is a Senior Project Manager, Regulatory and Wildlife and Senior Wildlife Biologist and Ecologist, Regulatory and Wildlife with Princeton Hydro. He has over 20 years of experience designing and conducting ecological assessments and wildlife surveys across the United States and Canada. His work spans compliance-based assessments, regenerative agriculture research, long-term ecological monitoring, and conservation-focused outreach. Mike also teaches Avifaunal Ecology in the MES program at the University of Pennsylvania and serves on several municipal and land trust committees.
In addition to Mike, the paper was co-authored by the following contributors:
This publication reflects years of fieldwork, analysis, and collaboration—an accomplishment the entire Princeton Hydro team is proud to celebrate. Though Mike’s work has been published previously, this marks the first time his work appears in print under the Princeton Hydro affiliation, making it a particularly meaningful milestone for all of us.
In addition to his peer-reviewed work, Mike’s contributions to regenerative agriculture research are featured in “Roots So Deep,” a four-part documentary series about inventive farmers and maverick scientists working to solve climate change with hooves, heart, and soil.
Mike appears throughout the series, including Parts 1 & 4 which will be shown at the Newtown Theatre in Newtown, Pennsylvania, during a special Screening & Discussion event taking place on January 21 at 7pm. Following the film, Mike will join the post-screening panel to take part in the audience Q&A.
Don’t miss your chance to access Mike's full article for free through January 13. Explore the study and discover the latest insights into bird conservation and the role of regenerative agriculture. Click here to dive in.
The New Jersey Highlands Coalition has launched an exciting collaboration with Healthy Home Network TV (HHNTV), an online TV and streaming news platform that produces accessible, community-focused programming. This partnership creates a new space for environmental advocates, municipalities, researchers, and residents to share information about protecting the Highlands watershed and advancing sustainable land use across New Jersey.
By working with HHNTV, the New Jersey Highlands Coalition (the Coalition) can reach new audiences, inspire collective action, and deepen public understanding of the region’s vital role in New Jersey’s environmental health.
HHNTV is a growing streaming platform with channels dedicated to environmental issues, clean water, public health, real estate, and community leadership. Through interviews, news programs, and expert conversations, it breaks down complex topics and offers practical information viewers can use to support their communities. The partnership between the Coalition and HHNTV builds on these strengths by providing a trusted source of insight for residents, officials, and advocates who want to stay informed and engaged in environmental stewardship.
The Coalition’s HHNTV channel features the “Your Water, Your Future” New Jersey Enviro Forum series. Episodes examine watershed protection, environmental justice, statewide policy, and other topics that shape the future of the Highlands region.
The Highlands region supplies drinking water to more than two-thirds of New Jersey’s residents and contains some of the state’s most ecologically important forests, wetlands, and headwaters. Yet increasing pressures from development, aging infrastructure, climate change, and fragmented policies underscore the need for strong, sustained public engagement.
This new collaboration with HHNTV helps to address that need by expanding the Coalition’s reach and impact. Through accessible, story-driven programming, the platform brings environmental issues to wider audiences, deepens public understanding of the region’s most urgent threats, and elevates the work of municipalities and grassroots groups striving to protect local resources. It also strengthens advocacy for water resources and natural spaces, while fostering a statewide network of viewers, partners, and community leaders committed to environmental protection.
This expanded visibility and community connection create lasting support for conservation projects, educational efforts, and policy initiatives that protect both people and wildlife.
There are many ways to engage with the Coalition’s work on HHNTV. Viewers can watch episodes, share them with others, and use the platform as an educational tool within their communities. Municipalities, community groups, and partner organizations are also encouraged to take a more active role by placing the HHNTV widget on their websites, scheduling guest appearances to share local stories, or embedding the Coalition’s channel. Those who choose to create their own affiliate channel receive a 25 percent discount along with HHNTV Verified or Select Channel Owner recognition and year-long syndication.
Together, these opportunities help expand visibility for conservation work across the region and keep residents informed throughout the year.
For more than a decade, Princeton Hydro has partnered with the Coalition to help advance the protection of the New Jersey Highlands region and safeguard its water resources and diverse ecosystems. The Coalition remains a leading voice for clean water and sustainable land use, and we’re proud to support their mission and spotlight their exciting collaboration with HHNTV. Click here to explore the Highlands Coalition’s HHNTV channel, view episodes, and get involved.
The Coalition selected Princeton Hydro President Geoffrey M. Goll, PE, as a 2025 “Lifetime Achievement Award” recipient, a prestigious honor that recognizes individuals who have dedicated their careers to protecting and enhancing New Jersey’s environmental, cultural, and natural resources, with a particular focus on the Highlands region. Read more.
The Lower Darby Creek Area encompasses a unique blend of residential neighborhoods, commercial zones, and critical regional infrastructure, including the Philadelphia International Airport, Interstate 95, and portions of the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. Despite its urban setting, the area supports diverse wetlands, waterways, and wildlife habitats that play an essential role in regional flood protection, resiliency, and ecological connectivity.
Flooding and habitat loss have long challenged the Lower Darby Creek Area, particularly in the communities of Eastwick in southwest Philadelphia and Tinicum Township of Delaware County, PA. Residents in these neighborhoods experience extreme flooding during storm and high tide events, and community groups have been leading local efforts to enhance resilience and reduce flood risk. The increasing effects of climate change, such as more intense storms, sea level rise, and frequent tidal flooding, are compounding challenges.
To help address these challenges, The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania (TNC) and the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge have commissioned Princeton Hydro to lead a two-year Urban Flood and Habitat Resilience Feasibility Study for the Lower Darby Creek Area. The study aims to identify and evaluate nature-based solutions that would help to convey, store, and infiltrate water to alleviate flooding, improve habitat for local wildlife species, and enhance community resilience.
Community engagement is a cornerstone of the Feasibility Study, ensuring that local voices help shape the region’s path toward long-term resilience. The project work began with a series of community meetings to learn from residents about the impacts of flooding and the changes they want to see in their neighborhoods. The outcome of this project will be a list of 6-10 nature-based solutions that have been prioritized by community members and that have been analyzed for feasibility and potential for flood reduction and ecological benefit. This information will be presented in a Project Roadmap for the co-developed pathway to achieve community and ecological resilience through project implementation. This guidance will empower partners and communities to secure funding, implement pilot projects, and advance long-term resilience goals.
Once the study is complete, Princeton Hydro will create an interactive ArcGIS StoryMap webpage that will allow users to take a deeper dive into the study's findings and interact with the data. Users will be able to visualize flood scenarios and potential restoration opportunities and learn more about specific project activities and the proposed solutions.
Earlier this year, project partners joined residents for Eastwick Community Day, a vibrant event celebrating neighborhood connections, local leadership, and climate resilience. Hosted by the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Sustainability, the event was supported by representatives from The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, and Princeton Hydro, including Director of Restoration & Resilience Christiana Pollack, CERP, CFM, GISP and Director of Aquatics Mike Hartshorne.
The gathering offered residents an opportunity to meet the organizations involved in the flood study, learn about available climate resilience resources, and share their own experiences and priorities. Alongside informational displays and project updates, attendees enjoyed a picnic lunch, family activities, and hands-on learning about nature-based solutions. It was a day that captured the spirit of collaboration driving this initiative.
The Lower Darby Creek initiative builds on Princeton Hydro’s earlier Eastwick Flood Resilience Study, expanding from a neighborhood-focused analysis to a watershed-scale approach. In 2016, in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania, the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, Keystone Conservation Trust, Audubon Pennsylvania, and the William Penn Foundation, Princeton Hydro conducted an analysis of Eastwick, the flood impacts created by the Lower Darby Creek, and the viability of several potential flood mitigation strategies. The study sought to answer questions commonly asked by community members related to flooding conditions, with the main question being: What impact does the landfill have on area flooding? Princeton Hydro developed a 2-D hydrologic and hydraulic model to understand how varying restoration techniques, including removal of the Clearview Landfill, expansion of the existing tidal freshwater wetland, removal of bridge infrastructure, and rerouting storm flows, would alter flooding in the Eastwick neighborhood.
Findings from that study provided key data and analytical frameworks that now inform the Lower Darby Creek Area Feasibility Study. Expanding beyond the boundaries of Eastwick, the comprehensive Lower Darby Creek Area study takes a watershed-scale view, exploring how interconnected systems, including upstream hydrology, tidal influences, and habitat networks, can be managed holistically.
Resilience is not achieved in isolation; it thrives through collaboration. The success of the Lower Darby Creek Area Feasibility Study and related restoration projects depends on a network of partners committed to shared goals. By aligning expertise, resources, and local knowledge, these partnerships create a foundation for long-term climate adaptation and ecological health. To learn more about the Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania, click here. To learn more about the City of Philadelphia Office of Sustainability Flood Resilience Strategy for Eastwick, go here. And, click here to learn more about the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Tinicum.
Princeton Hydro is also collaborating with the Refuge to restore the Refuge’s Turkey Foot area. Working with Enviroscapes and Merestone Consultants, our team designed and implemented habitat enhancement and hydrologic restoration projects to improve water quality, restore native wetland vegetation, and expand habitat for fish and wildlife. If you’re interested in learning more about this project, check out our blog: Ecological Restoration in John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge.
As winter settles in, the Princeton Hydro team is staying active and connected. We’re sharing expertise at conferences, leading educational programs, and joining events that champion sustainability and community engagement. In this Winter Events Spotlight, we highlight the exciting opportunities ahead and how you can be part of them.
The Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber will host its Legacy of Leadership Awards Dinner on Thursday, December 4 at TPC Jasna Polana, a historic and elegant golf club in Princeton, New Jersey. This annual tradition will celebrate the accomplishments of Chamber members and spotlight leaders who make a lasting impact on the business community. During the evening, four prestigious awards will be presented: Business Leader of the Year, Community Leader of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, and Innovator of the Year. Princeton Hydro is proud to sponsor this event and will be honored as the recipient of the Innovator of the Year award. Our team looks forward to attending and is deeply grateful for this recognition.
Get more info and register.
Hundreds of leaders, practitioners, and stakeholders committed to strengthening New Jersey’s water systems will come together at the College of New Jersey for the Jersey Water Works' (JWW) Annual Conference. With the theme “Our Commitment to Future Generations,” the program features an expanded lineup of 12+ interactive sessions, offering fresh perspectives on water infrastructure, stormwater management, and solutions for a sustainable and equitable water future. Attendees can expect a dynamic mix of committee-led discussions in the morning and collaborative workshops in the afternoon, plus opportunities to earn valuable Continuing Education Units. Dana Patterson Grear, Director of Marketing and Communications for Princeton Hydro and JWW Stormwater Utilities Subcommittee Co-Chair, is facilitating a panel on "Building Holistic Pathways for Resilient Municipal Stormwater Management." The conference serves as a hub for exchanging ideas, building partnerships, and driving collective action toward a healthier water future for all. We hope to see you there!
Join us for the SAME New Jersey Post Annual Holiday Luncheon on Tuesday, December 16th, from 12:00 - 2:00 PM at Harvest Moon Brewery & Café in New Brunswick, NJ. This festive gathering will celebrate the holiday season and commemorate the NJ Post’s 50th Anniversary. Enjoy a delicious lunch, network, and learn about upcoming events. The luncheon will also recognize outstanding contributions for 2025 with awards in the following categories: Young Professional Member, Sustaining Member Firm, BG Patrick McCarthy Service Award, and Notable Achievement Award. Commemorative red polo shirts will be available for purchase. Princeton Hydro is proud to sponsor this event and our Director of Marketing and Communications Dana Patterson Greer is proud to serve as the NJ Post’s First Vice President.
NEAPMS will host its 27th Annual Meeting at the Mystic Marriott Hotel and Spa in Groton, Connecticut. The conference opens with a Tuesday afternoon workshop followed by an evening welcome reception. Wednesday features a full day of technical presentations focused on the active management of aquatic plants and algae, along with a poster session and evening banquet. The event concludes on Thursday with additional technical talks in the morning and a luncheon ending at 1:00 p.m.
As part of the Invasive Aquatic Plant Management section of the conference program, Princeton Hydro Aquatic Ecologist Jesse Smith is leading a workshop on “Exploring Observations and Results of Nine Years of Brittle Naiad (Najas minor) Management in Sleepy Hollow Lake, New York.” Brittle naiad (Najas minor) is an invasive macrophyte found in the Northeast that has received little attention in the literature in regards to control and management, despite its widespread presence within its invasive range. The plant is a priority target species for management efforts in Sleepy Hollow Lake, NY due to its nuisance growth throughout the waterbody and impacts on recreation. Jesse’s presentation will explore management strategies and methods of measuring long-term management success.
A special screening of Roots So Deep will take place at the Newtown Theatre at 7:00 p.m. The four-part documentary series follows inventive farmers and pioneering scientists who are charting a path to addressing climate change through hooves, heart, and soil. This event will feature parts one and four and is co-hosted with Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. The film investigates a central question: can a little-used grazing approach that mimics historic bison movement help lift farmers out of debt, restore depleted soils, rebuild wildlife habitat, and draw down significant amounts of carbon?
The documentary features Princeton Hydro’s Senior Wildlife Biologist, Mike McGraw, CSE, QAWB, and ACE. He is part of a multidisciplinary team of scientists whose research forms the basis of the documentary. Mike’s studies have focused on observing the dynamics of breeding bird populations in paddocks using adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) grazing and those continuously grazed. The documentary highlights that when managed effectively, farmland can boost productivity and profitability for farmers while simultaneously contributing positively to the environment and the diverse wildlife that shares the planet with humans.
Following the screening, a panel of experts from Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, Princeton Hydro, and the Native Plants Healthy Planet Podcast will discuss the film and answer audience questions.
Get more info and purchase tickets.
Lake Champlain Sea Grant, in partnership with the University of Vermont’s Water Resources Institute, the Lake Champlain Basin Program/NEIWPCC, and the Lake Champlain Research Consortium, will host the Lake Champlain Research Conference at the University of Vermont’s Davis Center in Burlington, VT. This year’s theme, "Research to Action," will feature representation and research from New York, Vermont, Québec, and beyond, providing an opportunity for discussion, networking, and collaboration across Lake Champlain’s multi-jurisdictional watershed. Princeton Hydro's Senior Technical Director of Ecological Services, Dr. Fred Lubnow, will present on “The Monitoring and Management of Cyanobacteria HABs in Shallow, Nearshore Ecosystems such as Missisquoi Bay.” Registration will be open until December 18th at 4 pm.
The Delaware Wetlands Conference brings together hundreds of environmental professionals, scientists, practitioners, and community partners at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington. In previous years, the event has drawn more than 425 attendees, featured 75 presentations and poster displays, and hosted 45 exhibitor and sponsor tables. This two-day gathering offers a robust mix of workshops, poster sessions, networking events, lunch-and-learn opportunities, an exhibitor hall, and plenary sessions, with professional credits available for participants. The agenda spans a wide range of timely and technical topics, including soil science, climate adaptation, assessment and monitoring, and wetland restoration and creation.
Princeton Hydro is sponsoring the event, exhibiting, and leading two workshops:
Don’t miss this premier forum for advancing wetland research, policy, and practice in the region.
PALMS will host its 36th Annual Conference at the Wyndham Garden State College. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a diverse lineup of professional presentations, workshops, and panel discussions highlighting the latest findings and innovative approaches related to invasive species, monitoring strategies, best management practices, pollutants, and harmful algal blooms. The conference offers a valuable forum for lake managers, researchers, consultants, and environmental professionals to exchange knowledge and advance effective lake and watershed stewardship across Pennsylvania.
Registration and more conference details coming soon.
The Watershed Institute's 9th Annual New Jersey Watershed Conference, titled All Hands on Deck: Multidisciplinary Approaches for Watershed Resilience, will be held on Friday, February 27, from 10:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in person at The College of New Jersey, with a virtual participation option available via Zoom. This statewide gathering brings together state, county, and municipal officials, nonprofit organizations, and environmental professionals for sessions designed to expand knowledge, build practical skills, spark dialogue among stakeholders, and promote collaboration on emerging watershed issues and solutions. Hosted by The Watershed Institute, the conference provides a dynamic forum for advancing resilient, science-based watershed management across New Jersey.
Princeton Hydro is a proud sponsor of the conference. We will have an exhibitor booth and members of our team are leading a workshop: Senior Project Manager of Engineering Services Sean Walsh, PE and Landscape Architect Jamie Feinstein, RLA are presenting with Lambertville Mayor Andrew Nowick on “Green or Gray? Stormwater Solutions in Constrained Watersheds.” Their session is eligible for CFM and PE CEUs.
As we move into the new year, additional events will be announced, and this blog will be updated accordingly. Stay tuned for more details and upcoming opportunities.
Princeton Hydro was proud to participate in the New Jersey Association for Floodplain Management (NJAFM) 20th Annual Conference and Exhibition, held this fall in Atlantic City, NJ. Celebrating two decades of collaboration and innovation within the floodplain management community, the conference brought together more than 500 practitioners, researchers, agency staff, and industry leaders from across the Northeast.
As the region’s premier floodplain management event, the NJAFM conference serves as a hub for sharing cutting-edge tools, best practices, and real-world strategies that help communities reduce flood risk, adapt to changing climate conditions, and build long-term resilience. Over the course of two days, participants attended educational sessions, hands-on training, and networking events centered on the theme: “NJAFM at 20 Years: Celebrate the Past, Focus on the Future.”
Princeton Hydro was excited to return as a conference sponsor, exhibitor, and session presenter.
Floodplain management is a multidisciplinary practice that integrates planning, engineering, ecological science, and public policy to reduce flood risk while preserving the natural functions of riverine and coastal systems. At its core, it involves understanding how water moves across a landscape, identifying areas vulnerable to flooding, and implementing measures that protect people, infrastructure, and ecosystems.
Floodplains provide a range of essential functions. Hydrologically, they convey, store, and infiltrate water during storm events, supporting natural flood attenuation, erosion control, and groundwater recharge. Ecologically, they contribute to biodiversity by providing habitat, migration corridors, and spawning areas for fish and wildlife. From a community perspective, well-managed floodplains can offer recreational value, improve water quality, and enhance the aesthetic and economic vitality of local neighborhoods.
Modern floodplain management relies on both structural and non-structural approaches. Structural measures may include engineered solutions such as levees, floodwalls, culvert improvements, or stormwater system upgrades. Non-structural tools often involve land-use planning, flood-resilient building standards, conservation of open space, and community engagement programs that help residents understand risk and adopt best practices.
Princeton Hydro works with municipalities, state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and watershed groups to develop and implement comprehensive floodplain management strategies across the region, emphasizing strategies that balance flood risk reduction with ecological enhancement, ensuring that floodplain management supports both resilient communities and healthy, functioning watersheds.
Pictured above: before and after photos from the Floodplain Restoration and Urban Wetland Creation project in Bloomfield Township, New Jersey. By removing a little over four acres of upland historic fill in this densely developed area and converting it into 4.2 acres of a functioning floodplain wetland, the project restored valuable ecological functions, enhances wetland and riparian zone habitat, and increases flood storage capacity for urban stormwater runoff.
Our team led two workshops at the NJAFM 20th Annual Conference:
Christiana Pollack, CERP, CFM, GISP, Princeton Hydro’s Director of Restoration and Resilience, presented on strategies to address chronic flooding and climate-driven impacts in Eastwick and Tinicum Township, Philadelphia. Her talk highlighted a two-year technical assessment commissioned by The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania and the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, and led by Princeton Hydro. The project combines integrated field data collection, advanced hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, and rigorous alternatives analysis to evaluate nature-based solutions. These include wetland creation or enhancement, stream and floodplain reconnection, and stormwater management retrofits, with the ultimate goal of restoring natural hydrologic function, reducing flood risk, and strengthening habitat and community resilience. Read more about the project here.
Elizabeth Treadway of WSP USA and Dr. Clay Emerson, PhD, PE, CFM, Senior Technical Director of Engineering at Princeton Hydro, led a session on the practical, legal, and financial considerations of establishing a stormwater utility, an increasingly vital tool for sustainable infrastructure funding. Participants learned:
The session also addressed common challenges such as aging infrastructure, rapid development, and the growing frequency of severe storm events driven by climate change. Stormwater feasibility studies were highlighted as a key resource for evaluating costs and benefits before moving forward.
Managing stormwater effectively is essential for resilient infrastructure and community safety. Click here to learn about a Stormwater Utility Investigation & Feasibility Study we conducted for the Town of Hammonton, New Jersey.
Throughout the conference, our team was able to connect with planners, municipal officials, engineers, and local leaders at our exhibitor booth. These conversations offered valuable opportunities to discuss project experiences, share resources, and learn from others working to advance resilience across New Jersey.
Princeton Hydro is proud to be part of this community and remains committed to advancing science-based, equitable, and sustainable approaches to reducing flood risk. We look forward to continuing our partnership with NJAFM and supporting clients and communities in building a safer, more resilient future.
The Lake Hopatcong Commission, in partnership with Roxbury Township and Princeton Hydro, and with support from the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, has been awarded a $367,000 Water Quality Restoration Grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) for the Lake Hopatcong Watershed Basin Enhancement Project.
The project will retrofit an existing stormwater detention basin with a series of green stormwater infrastructure improvements designed to slow, capture, and naturally treat stormwater runoff. The basin project, located between King Road and Mount Arlington Boulevard in Roxbury Township, was identified in the 2021 Upper Musconetcong River Implementation Plan (WIP) as a priority project to reduce non-point source pollution and improve water quality before stormwater enters the lake at King Cove.
"Roxbury is truly thankful for the Lake Hopatcong Commission. Lake Hopatcong is such a valuable resource and the commission’s work alongside Princeton Hydro has preserved a natural treasure," said Shawn Potillo, Mayor of Roxbury. "We are grateful to the NJDEP for their support and award of this grant. This water basin project in Roxbury will help continue the commission’s purpose of keeping the lake a beautiful place to swim, boat, relax, and call home."
A range of improvements will be incorporated including planting native vegetation and managing invasive species to stabilize soils, support wildlife, and naturally filter pollutants before they reach the lake. Erosion and sediment control measures will further protect the area by reducing stormwater scouring and preventing bank degradation.
In addition to on-the-ground restoration, the project emphasizes public education and outreach to promote best management practices and ongoing watershed stewardship among residents and local partners. Project success will be evaluated through water quality monitoring conducted before and after construction, providing measurable data on the project’s effectiveness in improving water quality.
“Lake Hopatcong’s fight against harmful algal blooms requires a united front, where many projects, like retrofitting stormwater basins to capture nutrients before they go into the lake, collectively make a big impact,” said Dr. Fred Lubnow, Senior Technical Director of Ecological Services at Princeton Hydro. “Thanks to the leadership of the Lake Hopatcong Commission and the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, this collaborative approach is driving real progress toward cleaner water, healthier ecosystems, and a more resilient future for New Jersey’s largest lake.”
The basin enhancement project is funded through NJDEP’s Water Quality Restoration Grant Program, which is supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Clean Water Act Section 319(h). Along with the state grant, the project includes a $200,000 local match from the Commission, Roxbury Township, and the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, and builds on a $98,000 planning grant awarded by the New Jersey Highlands Council in 2024 that helped prepare the project for implementation and future grant opportunities.
“This project represents an important step forward in improving Lake Hopatcong’s water quality and reducing pollutants that contribute to harmful algal blooms,” said Ron Smith, Chairman of the Lake Hopatcong Commission. “We’re grateful to NJDEP, Roxbury Township, Princeton Hydro, the Foundation and the Highlands Council for their continued partnership in protecting this vital resource.”
The Lake Hopatcong Commission is an independent state agency created in, but not of, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. LHC is recognized as a steward of the lake and watershed. The 11-member Board of State and local appointees include representatives of the four municipalities and two counties surrounding Lake Hopatcong. LHC is responsible for fulfilling the obligations of the Lake Hopatcong Protection Act, to safeguard Lake Hopatcong as a natural, scenic, and recreational resource. To learn more, click here to visit lakehopatcongcommission.org.
For over 30 years, Princeton Hydro has been proud to work alongside the Lake Hopatcong Commission and Lake Hopatcong Foundation in support of the lake’s health and resilience. Through these partnerships, and with the support of numerous funding agencies, a wide range of projects have been implemented to reduce pollutant loads, manage stormwater runoff, address invasive species and harmful algal blooms, and enhance habitat quality—helping to protect both the lake and the communities that depend on it. To learn more about our collaborative efforts, click here.
The Borough of Mountain Lakes has received grant funding from the New Jersey Highlands Council to develop a comprehensive Lake and Watershed Management Plan for nine lakes within the Borough. To lead this effort, the Borough engaged Princeton Hydro, a leader in ecological and engineering consulting. The initiative will focus on characterizing hydrologic and nutrient dynamics within the Borough’s lake systems and watersheds to guide targeted water quality improvement and management strategies.
“Mountain Lakes takes great pride in our lakes, which play an important role in defining our community. Through our partnership with the Highlands Council and Princeton Hydro, we’re taking a proactive, data-driven approach to protecting both the environmental and recreational value of our lakes and waterways, with the goal of preserving these vital natural resources for generations to come,” said Borough of Mountain Lakes Manager Mitchell Stern.
A selection process was undertaken by the Borough of Mountain Lakes, Princeton Hydro, and the New Jersey Highlands Council to define the scope of this Lake and Watershed Management Program. In accordance with Policy 1L2 and Objective 1L2a of the NJHC Regional Master Plan, which establish lake management tiers and prioritize lakes greater than 10 acres for protection and management, nine lakes were selected for the study: Birchwood Lake, Crystal Lake, Wildwood Lake, Sunset Lake, Mountain Lake, Shadow Pond, Olive Pond, Grundens Pond, and Cove Pond. These lakes represent the waterbodies in the Borough and were chosen to ensure the program focuses on areas with the greatest potential impact on water quality, watershed function, and community value.
Princeton Hydro’s work will include watershed modeling, hydrologic and pollutant load analyses, and in-lake and watershed-based water quality monitoring. Once the data is analyzed, Princeton Hydro will develop a General Assessment Report that identifies the primary drivers of eutrophication and outlines a prioritized set of management strategies to effectively reduce nutrient loading and enhance long-term lake health.
“The regional, science-based approach to lake and watershed management has proven to be a powerful tool for municipalities in the Highlands Region,” said Christopher Mikolajczyk, CLM, Senior Manager of Aquatics at Princeton Hydro, Certified Lake Manager, and lead designer for this initiative. “We’re excited to collaborate with Mountain Lakes to help identify cost-effective, data-driven strategies that will enhance water quality throughout the watershed and help safeguard these treasured natural resources.”
The New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council (Highlands Council) is a regional planning agency that partners with municipalities and counties in the Highlands Region to promote proactive watershed protection. Established under the New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act of 2004, the Council has funded numerous water-quality-related planning initiatives.
Historically, municipalities and private lake associations have managed water quality issues independently. However, taking a coordinated, watershed-based approach enables communities to more effectively address pollution sources, improve water quality, and prevent the spread of invasive species and harmful algal blooms.
Mountain Lakes joins several other Highlands region municipalities that have received Highlands council funding to implement similar lake and watershed management initiatives. In 2019, the Borough of Ringwood became the first municipality in New Jerey to adopt a regional, public-private approach to lake management, partnering with four lake associations across six lakes. Since the completion of the Ringwood plan, NJDEP has funded recommendations from the plan. This model has since inspired additional projects, including watershed assessments for West Milford Township, Rockaway Township, Byram Township, Vernon Township, and Somerset County Parks Commission. Princeton Hydro worked with each agency to develop the respective scope of work to secure grant funding from the Highlands Council.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) recently announced $8 million in Water Quality Restoration Grants to support projects that reduce nonpoint source pollution, mitigate harmful algal blooms, restore riparian areas, and enhance watershed and climate resilience. Funded through Section 319(h) of the federal Clean Water Act and administered by the DEP's Watershed and Land Management Program, these grants were awarded to municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions across the state.
Princeton Hydro is proud to be a partner on five of the 17 funded projects. Our contributions vary by project and encompass activities such as engineering design, water quality assessment, watershed-based planning, and technical support for implementing stormwater and habitat restoration measures. Let's take a deeper look at these collaborative efforts:
The Watershed Institute received $205K in 319(h) grant funding to develop a watershed-based plan for the Assunpink Creek watershed, located within the Raritan River Basin. This watershed spans 11 municipalities across two counties, where varied landscapes and demographics share common challenges such as localized flooding, stormwater management, and water quality degradation, highlighting the need for a coordinated, watershed-wide, science-driven approach.
The plan will evaluate pollution sources and identify large-scale restoration opportunities, including green infrastructure and riparian buffer restoration, to improve water quality and reduce flooding. It will also assess the cost, feasibility, and pollutant reduction potential of proposed measures to ensure practical implementation. Princeton Hydro supported the Institute in developing the grant proposal and planning framework, leveraging our expertise in watershed-based planning to prioritize nature-based solutions that address both water quality and climate resilience. This initiative represents a critical step toward regional collaboration, enabling upstream and downstream communities to work together on strategies that strengthen watershed health, protect public safety, and build long-term resilience.
The Lake Hopatcong Commission (LHC) was awarded $366K to retrofit an existing stormwater detention basin between King Road and Mount Arlington Boulevard in Roxbury Township. This retrofit is part of a larger Watershed Implementation Plan that Princeton Hydro developed in collaboration with LHC, which prioritizes nutrient reduction and stormwater management strategies across the Lake Hopatcong watershed. Over the past several years, LHC has actively implemented multiple elements of this plan to address harmful algal blooms (HABs) and improve water quality.
For this project, Princeton Hydro is providing engineering design and technical oversight to transform the existing basin into a green stormwater infrastructure system that slows, captures, and naturally treats runoff before it enters King Cove. The design incorporates native vegetation, invasive species management, and erosion control measures to stabilize soils and filter pollutants, reducing nutrient loading, which is one key driver of HABs. Public outreach and pre- and post-construction water quality monitoring will ensure performance tracking and measurable improvements. This basin retrofit represents a critical step in a coordinated, science-based approach to restoring ecological health and water quality in New Jersey’s largest lake.
Jefferson Township received $350K in grant funding to develop an Emerging Contaminants Management Plan for Cozy Lake, focusing on cyanotoxins and HABs. Cozy Lake is a 28-acre waterbody within a 1,152-acre sub-watershed that includes both forested (60%) and developed (29%) land. The lake is fed by the Rockaway River at its northern end and a smaller southeastern inlet, with outflow through a dam on the western edge.
The shoreline is primarily residential lawn with minimal emergent wetlands, and several inlets and rock-lined drainage ditches exhibit erosion and lack slope protection, contributing to sediment loading. Princeton Hydro provided early technical input to shape this innovative project with the creation of a comprehensive Jefferson Township Lake and Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan. As part of the plan, Princeton Hydro made recommendations for Cozy Lake, which included enhancing shoreline buffers with native vegetation and installing living shorelines at select properties to stabilize soils, filter stormwater and reduce nutrient loading, improve habitat quality, and enhance community access. These measures, combined with in-lake monitoring and proactive management strategies, will help mitigate HABs and protect ecological and public health.
Rockaway Township received $399K in grant funding to implement elements of its Watershed Implementation Plan, focusing on green infrastructure stormwater management and nutrient reduction to improve water quality. The project will retrofit the municipal complex by converting a rock-lined drainage swale into a vegetated swale with a bioretention basin, designed to filter stormwater runoff and reduce nonpoint source pollutants entering Fox’s Pond and Fox Brook.
Princeton Hydro played a key role in developing the Watershed Implementation Plan, which encompasses 11 private lakes within the Rockaway River watershed, prioritizing critical locations for intervention and designing cost-effective green infrastructure BMPs. This regional approach aligns with strategies recommended by NJDEP and the Highlands Council. The plan included a comprehensive watershed-based assessment to identify and quantify factors contributing to eutrophication, evaluate management measures, estimate costs, and establish an implementation schedule. Princeton Hydro authored the final report, which guided the Township in applying for the Section 319(h) grant and now informs the design and construction of green stormwater infrastructure that will deliver measurable water quality improvements while supporting ecological restoration goals.
Green Trust Alliance (GTA), a nationally accredited land trust and public charity dedicated to accelerating large-scale conservation, received $1.39 million in NJDEP funding to implement green infrastructure improvements at Pinelands Regional High School in Tuckerton, New Jersey. This initiative targets the Tuckerton Creek watershed, which drains into Tuckerton Creek and ultimately flows into Barnegat Bay—a critical estuary spanning 33 municipalities in Ocean County and four in Monmouth County. The retrofit will transform the school’s stormwater detention basin into a multi-functional system that mimics natural hydrology, enhances flow control, and improves water quality locally and in the larger Barnegat Bay watershed.
Working with GTA and GreenVest, Princeton Hydro is serving as the design engineer, applying nature-based engineering and ecological restoration techniques to intercept, evapotranspire, and infiltrate stormwater runoff at its source. In addition to its technical objectives, the effort includes a strong community engagement component and an educational platform for students. By bringing green infrastructure into the school environment, the initiative provides hands-on experience with water resources, stormwater management, and ecological engineering, help to build STEM skills while fostering a deeper connection to the surrounding landscape and an understanding of how natural systems work together to support environmental and community health.
Princeton Hydro also assisted several of these partners in developing successful NJDEP Section 319(h) grant applications, providing technical documentation, conceptual designs, and pollutant load reduction estimates to strengthen the proposals.
To date, the Murphy Administration has awarded more than $33M in Water Quality Restoration grants to improve the health of waterways in all corners of the state. Click here to read about all the 2025 grant funding recipients and their innovative projects.
As NJDEP Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette noted in the department's press release, “Enhancing the ecological health of our lakes, rivers, streams and coastal waters has long been a priority of the Murphy Administration. The Department of Environmental Protection is pleased to award these grants that will help our partners advance a variety of strategies to improve the health of these waterways and enhance the quality of life in our communities.”
We are proud to play a continued role in advancing that mission: helping communities implement practical, data-driven solutions that make a measurable difference for New Jersey’s waterways and the people who depend on them. Click here to learn more about our work to protect natural habitat and restore water quality throughout the New Jersey.
This summer, Princeton Hydro aquatic scientists joined forces with Billion Oyster Project and AKRF on an exciting effort to better understand how restored oyster reefs are supporting life in New York City’s waterways. The project, “Monitoring of Mobile Estuarine Organisms at Restored Oyster Reefs,” focuses on tracking fish, crabs, snails, and other aquatic species that call these reefs home, as well as using cutting-edge environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques to detect organisms that might otherwise go unnoticed.
As a consultant to AKRF, our team deployed collection gear across current and potential restoration sites, including Brooklyn Bridge Park, Bush Terminal Park, Flushing Bay, and Paedergat Basin. The sampling enclosures, left in the water for 48 hours, revealed a fascinating snapshot of estuarine life, from small schooling fish to a surprise dogfish, a small shark-like species that was one of the highlights of the summer survey sessions.
This collaborative initiative brings together multiple partners: Billion Oyster Project, the driving force behind large-scale oyster reef restoration in New York Harbor, is leading the project. AKRF, headquartered in New York City, is serving as the primary consultant; Princeton Hydro is leading the mobile estuarine sampling efforts and eDNA sample collection; and Monmouth University is analyzing the eDNA samples to help identify species present at the restoration sites.
Oyster reefs are living structures that provide essential habitat for a wide array of species, improve water quality through natural filtration capabilities, and enhance the resilience of New York Harbor against coastal storms and erosion. Monitoring oyster reefs ensures that restoration efforts are successful and helps scientists refine approaches for scaling up oyster reef projects in urban estuaries locally and throughout the world.
As the field sampling lead, Princeton Hydro completed two monitoring and sampling collection events, one this Spring and one this Summer, at the various oyster reef restoration sites. Using sea bass and minnow collection gear, our team - Jesse Smith, Aquatic Ecologist; Jackson Tilves, Staff Scientist; and Kaitlyn Jones, Staff Scientist - identified, measured, and documented each of the found species before safely returning them to the water. In addition, we collected in-situ water quality data at each site to help interpret how environmental conditions influence reef communities.
Our team brings deep experience and specialized equipment to this project. Princeton Hydro’s biologists have conducted estuarine surveys throughout the Hudson River and New York Harbor, led nekton and benthic sampling along New Jersey’s coastline, and carried out numerous studies that inform restoration and resilience efforts across the region.
Alongside traditional monitoring, the “Monitoring of Mobile Estuarine Organisms at Restored Oyster Reefs” project uniquely incorporates eDNA sampling. eDNA is genetic material that organisms shed into their surrounding environment, through skin cells, mucus, or waste, that can be detected in water samples. By collecting and analyzing eDNA, scientists can identify the presence of species that may not appear in sampling enclosures. The analysis provided by the team at Monmouth University helps paint a fuller picture of biodiversity at the restored oyster reef sampling locations.
The photos below capture moments from the field and the diverse aquatic life our team encountered, offering a glimpse into the many species that oyster reefs help support in the New York Harbor:
Founded in 2014, Billion Oyster Project is working to restore one billion oysters to New York Harbor while engaging New Yorkers directly in the process. Oyster reefs once covered hundreds of miles of shoreline, filtering water, creating habitat, and buffering against storm surge. Today, Billion Oyster Project’s mission is not only to restore these vital ecosystems but also to inspire lasting stewardship of them through educational programming and free STEM curricula for NYC schools and educators . To learn more about Billion Oyster Project and how to participate, click here.
Princeton Hydro is proud to partner with Billion Oyster Project, AKRF, and Monmouth University on this project and in the advancement of urban reef restoration. Together, we’re building knowledge that informs the future of oyster reefs in New York Harbor while strengthening ecological health and resilience of the city’s waterways for generations to come.
To learn more about our work to restore New York’s waterways, we invite you to read our Client Spotlight blog featuring Riverkeeper, a 501(c)3 nonprofit membership organization committed to protecting and restoring the Hudson River from source to sea and safeguarding drinking water supplies through advocacy rooted in community partnerships, science, and law.
When most people think of engineering, they picture bridges, buildings, and dams rising above the landscape. Yet the performance and longevity of these structures depend just as much on the subsurface conditions beneath them. Geotechnical engineering is the discipline dedicated to investigating, analyzing, and characterizing soil, rock, landscape, and groundwater conditions, and applying that data to the design and construction of safe, resilient, and sustainable infrastructure and restoration projects.
At Princeton Hydro, our geotechnical and soils engineers design and execute customized, cost-effective investigations that provide the parameters needed for successful design. Because geotechnical services touch every stage of a project, our integrated approach of investigation, including soils laboratory testing, analysis, and design, all done in-house, ensures streamlined communication, efficiency, and technical excellence.
This blog offers a closer look at what geotechnical engineering entails, the specialized capabilities Princeton Hydro provides, and real-world examples of how our work supports resilient, sustainable design.
Geotechnical Investigations: Our engineers can perform subsurface investigation, identification, and assessment of accumulated sediment, subsurface soils, and rock, as well as slope stability and stabilization modeling. Our work ranges from foundation type and bearing capacity assessments to mitigation strategies for unsuitable materials. We also regularly conduct forensic geotechnical investigations, which focus on investigating soil-interaction-related failures of engineered infrastructure.
Laboratory Testing: We operate an American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Accredited laboratory in Sicklerville, NJ. This allows us to complete 100% of geotechnical investigation planning and oversight, laboratory testing, analysis, design, and reporting in-house. Our geotechnical laboratory performs a full suite of soils and materials testing, including grain size analysis, plasticity index, organic content, moisture content, compaction characteristics of soil (Standard and Modified Proctor), California bearing ratio (CBR), one dimensional consolidation, and flexible and rigid wall permeability testing under constant or falling head conditions. With this capability, we can rapidly deliver high-quality data to inform project design and construction. Our laboratory is also a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Validated Laboratory. Click here to view Princeton Hydro’s complete accreditation listing and certificate. And, click here to learn more about the USACE Materials Testing Laboratories and Validation.
Field & Construction Services: Our engineers are experienced in construction requirements, design, and methodology for various structures, as well as field inspections and special testing. We have a Certified Construction Specifier (CCS) on staff and ACI-certified concrete field-testing technicians. Our team performs compaction testing of soil and asphalt using a nuclear density gauge, reinforcing steel inspections, and 2006 International Building Code (IBC) special inspections. We help determine foundation type, site improvements, and optimal construction techniques.
Dredging & Sediment Investigations: Over our 25-year history, we’ve managed more than 100 dredging projects across freshwater and estuarine systems. We specialize in beneficial reuse of dredged material for ecological restoration, including wetland creation, thin-layer placement, and living shorelines. Our team provides sediment characterization, slope stability modeling, and contaminant analysis in complex, developed watersheds.
To bring this work to life, we’ve chosen a few Princeton Hydro projects that showcase where our geotechnical expertise helped solve unique challenges:
At Spring Creek Park North in Jamaica Bay, New York, decades of urbanization and dredged material placement had degraded more than 40 acres of tidal marsh and uplands. To address this, Princeton Hydro provided subsurface investigations and design services for a large-scale ecosystem restoration led by the USACE New York District, in partnership with NYC Parks.
A key design assumption was the reuse of excavated material: soils removed from wetland areas were repurposed to construct upland hills, supporting both ecological function and cost-effective implementation. Our work included geotechnical borings, slope stability analyses, and hydraulic modeling, as well as the collection of topographic and bathymetric survey data, wetland delineations, vegetation assessments, and hydrodynamic measurements. This data informed the development of slope stability and hydraulic models and guided the restoration design.
The project advanced through a structured engineering design process — with 30%, 60%, 90%, and 100% design submissions — along with preparation of technical specifications, permit applications, and a detailed construction cost estimate. When complete, the project will restore more than 43 acres of marsh and upland habitat, improving water quality, enhancing biodiversity, and strengthening climate resilience in one of New York City’s most ecologically significant coastal systems.
Princeton Hydro was contracted by USACE Philadelphia District to perform offshore subsurface geotechnical investigations in support of reconstructing the Indian River Inlet jetty at Delaware Seashore State Park. Working under challenging marine conditions, our team successfully advanced deep geotechnical borings (to depths of 100 feet) from a lift boat platform, collected soil samples, performed laboratory testing including triaxial strength, consolidation, and direct shear tests; and delivered detailed soil data. Despite difficult sea states, we maintained close communication with USACE to ensure safety and project continuity.
The resulting data provided USACE with critical insight into subsurface conditions, helping inform design alternatives for the new jetty structure.
At the Killcohook Confined Disposal Facility (CDF), Princeton Hydro carried out a large-scale subsurface investigation to support USACE Philadelphia District’s plans for raising the site’s perimeter dikes. The project site, formerly a National Wildlife Refuge, is located in Pennsville, New Jersey, on the eastern bank of the Delaware River, to the north of Fort Mott State Park and adjacent to the Supawna Meadows Wildlife Refuge. Each cell of the CDF receives dredge material from the Delaware River. The subsurface explorations performed by Princeton Hydro were conducted along the existing dike comprising the border of Cell 1 of the CDF. Cell 1 consists of an area of approximately 710 acres with the entire CDF covering 1,200 acres.
For this exploration project, Princeton Hydro was tasked with the performance of thirty-one (31) geotechnical borings as well as sixty-five (65) cone penetrometer tests with porewater measurements (CPTu) soundings. Princeton Hydro also provided site safety oversight in accordance with USACE standards. Soil samples were logged and collected by Princeton Hydro and tested at their Sicklerville, New Jersey geotechnical laboratory, which is accredited under the AASHTO Accreditation Program and validated by USACE for soils testing.
The data collected is now being used by USACE to design the upgraded dike system, ensuring safe, resilient operation of the facility for future dredged material management.
At the 545-acre Pedricktown North Confined Disposal Facility in Oldmans Township, New Jersey, located on the Delaware River west of Route 130 between Porcupine Road and Pennsgrove-Pedricktown Road, Princeton Hydro conducted a comprehensive subsurface investigation in support of a dike raising project led by the USACE Philadelphia District.
As part of this field exploration, our team performed eight geotechnical borings, thirty-eight cone penetrometer tests with porewater measurement (CPTu) soundings, and collected five grab samples. These efforts provided critical soil strength and settlement data to inform USACE’s design of the upgraded dike system.
In addition to managing subcontractors and ensuring compliance with USACE safety protocols, Princeton Hydro oversaw the field program, coordinated directly with the Project Manager, and delivered the final geotechnical report. This investigation is supplying USACE with essential geotechnical data to guide the design and construction of the improved dike infrastructure.
Coastal communities are on the frontlines of climate change, facing rising seas, stronger storms, and eroding shorelines. At the same time, these landscapes provide critical habitat and natural defenses that protect people, ecosystems and myriad wildlife. Coastal ecological restoration restores natural systems and strengthens future resilience to climate impacts.
Earlier this month, our team joined the New Jersey Coastal Resilience Collaborative (NJCRC) for its Coastal Ecological Restoration Technical Workshop, a full-day, in-person event held at the Rutgers EcoComplex in Bordentown, NJ. The workshop convened coastal stakeholders, researchers, practitioners, and managers to share knowledge and explore the latest science advancing coastal ecological restoration.
The day began with a work group session, “Advancing Science-Based Ecological Restoration Across New Jersey’s Coast,” led by a panel of experts and followed by an interactive Q&A. Click here to view the presentation. Participants then chose from a variety of technical sessions covering topics such as, eDNA and Water Quality as Indicators of Coastal Ecological Health; Smart Permitting for Restoration; and Diatoms as Ecological Indicators in Living Shoreline Applications.
Dana Patterson Grear, Princeton Hydro's Director of Marketing & Communications, delivered an engaging presentation titled, "How to Build a Digital Communications Toolkit for Climate Action." She provided practical guidance for turning communication into a powerful tool for advancing ecological restoration and climate resilience, including how to develop tailored climate messaging, understand the values of your audience and remove personal bias, and determine your level of engagement and capacity. Dana's presentation broke down complex communication strategies into actional steps that attendees can apply directly to their work. Click here to view her presentation slides.
Beyond the educational workshops, networking breaks, shared meals, and a post-workshop reception created opportunities to connect and collaborate. And, as a fun and fitting bonus, each participant went home with a complimentary native plant courtesy of Pinelands Nursery.
Coastal ecological restoration involves the rehabilitation and creation of coastal ecosystems, like wetlands, reefs, and shorelines, with the goal of restoring the natural processes and functions. These efforts provide long-term protection from erosion, create habitat for fish and wildlife, and build community resilience against flooding and storm surge.
At Princeton Hydro, we understand the impacts of climate change, including sea level rise, and use tools such as vulnerability assessments to inform our restoration designs. Our team specializes in designing and implementing living shorelines and habitat restoration projects. We combine field data, empirical approaches, ecological and geomorphic understanding, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, and state-of-the-art computer programming technology to develop our designs. Our nature-based solutions deliver lasting ecological and community benefits.
A prime example of this work is the Spring Creek North Ecosystem Restoration project, located in Brooklyn and Queens, NY. Once part of the expansive Jamaica Bay wetland system, Spring Creek's salt marshes were heavily degraded over the last century. Princeton Hydro was contracted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District to lead the design and engineering for this restoration effort. Construction efforts began in early October 2025. Once completed, the project will restore approximately 43 acres of habitat within a 67-acre footprint, including low and high marsh, scrub shrub wetland, and maritime upland. Efforts also aim to improve water quality, increase biodiversity, and strengthen the overall Jamaica Bay ecosystem.
The following photos depict the degraded habitat and pre-construction conditions of the site. Stay tuned to our blog for more photos from each of the project phases.
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