Borough of Ringwood Initiates First-In-State Regional Approach to Lake Management Through Public-Private Partnership

Situated in the heart of the New Jersey Highlands, the Borough of Ringwood is home to several public and private lakes nestled within the Ramapo Mountains and contributes to drinking water resources that serve millions of New Jersey residents. Recognizing the importance of these natural assets, Ringwood became the first municipality in New Jersey to pursue a regional approach to lake management through a public-private partnership with four local lake associations.

Included in Ringwood’s regional lake management initiative are the lake communities of Cupsaw, Erskine, Skyline, and Riconda. Originally developed by the Ringwood Company in the 1920s and 1930s to promote the area as a summer resort destination, these lakes have served generations of residents as places for recreation, relaxation, and connection with nature. Today, they continue to play an important role in the quality of life and environmental character of the community.

Historically, the management and funding of private lakes has largely been the responsibility of individual lake associations, with each lake operating independently. Recognizing an opportunity for a more coordinated approach, Ringwood Borough Manager Scott Heck envisioned a municipal-wide watershed management plan that could identify priorities for improving water quality across the community. To help bring that vision to life, the Borough partnered with Princeton Hydro.

“This regional approach to lake and watershed management is a no-brainer from a scientific, technical, and community point of view. Historically, however, municipal governments and private lake associations have rarely partnered to take such an approach,” said Princeton Hydro’s Senior Manager, Christopher Mikolajczyk, a Certified Lake Manager and the lead designer for this initiative. “We’re thrilled to work with the Borough of Ringwood and the New Jersey Highlands Council to set a precedent for this logical watershed management strategy, which opens the door for future public-private partnerships.”

As part of this project, Princeton Hydro will conduct a watershed-based assessment to better understand the factors influencing water quality throughout Ringwood’s lake communities and to identify opportunities for long-term improvement. The assessment will include the following objectives:

• Identification, quantification, and prioritization of the watershed-based factors which may contribute to eutrophication and other water quality concerns;
• Identification of the watershed management measures needed to address general causes of water quality impairments;
• Estimation of the implementation costs associated with the recommended projects and best management practices;
• Development of a prioritized roadmap for the implementation of watershed and lake management initiatives; and
• Development of a final report at the conclusion of the study, which will be presented to municipal leaders and stakeholders.

Funding for the Watershed-Based Assessment for the lakes of the Borough of Ringwood is being provided by the New Jersey Highlands Council through a grant reimbursement to the Borough. The final report, prepared by Princeton Hydro, will identify and prioritize watershed management strategies and implementation measures that are best suited for both immediate and long-term application, while also providing cost projections for future projects and initiatives.

Guided by these recommendations, the Borough of Ringwood will review and, where feasible, implement actions designed to protect and enhance the health of its lakes and watersheds. This integrated approach to watershed and lake management will help safeguard critical water resources, support long-term ecological resilience, and reduce the potential for future impacts from invasive species and harmful algal blooms throughout the region.

To learn more about Princeton Hydro’s lake and pond management services, read our blog about the innovative solutions being used at Smith Mountain Lake to monitor for and prevent harmful algal blooms. 

• Environmental Services
• Lake and Pond Management
• Lake Restoration
• Uncategorized