Third River Floodplain Wetland Enhancement

Along the Third River and Spring Brook, two freshwater tributaries of the Passaic River, a highly disturbed, flood-prone, former industrial site is being transformed into a thriving public park allowing for both passive and active recreational activities. The site includes 1,360 feet along the east bank of the Third River and 3,040 feet along the banks of the Spring Brook. These waterways are freshwater tributaries of the Passaic River and share a history of flooding above the site’s 100-year flood plain.  The Third River, like many urban streams, tends to be the victim of excessive volume and is subjected to erosion and chronic, uncontrolled flooding. 

Prior to acquisition by the Township, this site was approved to be a residential development. This green infrastructure project removed 4.2 acres of upland historic fill and reestablished the site’s historic floodplain function as well as the natural wetland and riparian plant communities that once existed. The conversion of what was once a contaminated Superfund site into a floodplain wetland serves to demonstrate that the creation of urban floodplain wetlands is possible. 

Princeton Hydro served as the ecological engineer for Bloomfield Township. Our scientists and engineers assisted in obtaining grants, collected background ecological data through field sampling and surveying, created a water budget, completed all necessary permitting, designed both the conceptual and final restoration plans, and conducted construction oversight.

To facilitate the establishment of a native plant community, over 500 trees and shrubs were planted in the new wetland with additional trees and shrubs planted along Lion Gate Drive and in existing woodlands. The selected native plant species all presented important wildlife value such as providing fruit for migratory birds. Phase One of the projects, which includes the wetland construction and plantings, was completed in April 2020. The maintenance building, concession stand, soccer field, etc. will be constructed as part of Phase Two.

The establishment of this urban floodplain wetland was facilitated by the receipt of several funding opportunities that Princeton Hydro, Bloomfield Township, Strauss and Associates / Planners, and ARH helped garner including $1.75 million dollars from the New Jersey Wetland Mitigation council and $3 million dollars from the New Jersey Office of Natural Resource Restoration.