search
WP_Query Object
(
    [query] => Array
        (
            [tag] => geoffrey-m-goll
        )

    [query_vars] => Array
        (
            [tag] => geoffrey-m-goll
            [error] => 
            [m] => 
            [p] => 0
            [post_parent] => 
            [subpost] => 
            [subpost_id] => 
            [attachment] => 
            [attachment_id] => 0
            [name] => 
            [pagename] => 
            [page_id] => 0
            [second] => 
            [minute] => 
            [hour] => 
            [day] => 0
            [monthnum] => 0
            [year] => 0
            [w] => 0
            [category_name] => stream_restoration
            [cat] => 41
            [tag_id] => 2021
            [author] => 
            [author_name] => 
            [feed] => 
            [tb] => 
            [paged] => 1
            [meta_key] => 
            [meta_value] => 
            [preview] => 
            [s] => 
            [sentence] => 
            [title] => 
            [fields] => all
            [menu_order] => 
            [embed] => 
            [category__in] => Array
                (
                    [0] => 41
                )

            [category__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [category__and] => Array
                (
                )

            [post__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [post__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [post_name__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag__and] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag_slug__in] => Array
                (
                    [0] => geoffrey-m-goll
                )

            [tag_slug__and] => Array
                (
                )

            [post_parent__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [post_parent__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [author__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [author__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [search_columns] => Array
                (
                )

            [ignore_sticky_posts] => 
            [suppress_filters] => 
            [cache_results] => 1
            [update_post_term_cache] => 1
            [update_menu_item_cache] => 
            [lazy_load_term_meta] => 1
            [update_post_meta_cache] => 1
            [post_type] => 
            [posts_per_page] => 10
            [nopaging] => 
            [comments_per_page] => 5
            [no_found_rows] => 
            [order] => DESC
        )

    [tax_query] => WP_Tax_Query Object
        (
            [queries] => Array
                (
                    [0] => Array
                        (
                            [taxonomy] => category
                            [terms] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => 41
                                )

                            [field] => term_id
                            [operator] => IN
                            [include_children] => 
                        )

                    [1] => Array
                        (
                            [taxonomy] => post_tag
                            [terms] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => geoffrey-m-goll
                                )

                            [field] => slug
                            [operator] => IN
                            [include_children] => 1
                        )

                )

            [relation] => AND
            [table_aliases:protected] => Array
                (
                    [0] => ph_term_relationships
                    [1] => tt1
                )

            [queried_terms] => Array
                (
                    [category] => Array
                        (
                            [terms] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => 41
                                )

                            [field] => term_id
                        )

                    [post_tag] => Array
                        (
                            [terms] => Array
                                (
                                    [0] => geoffrey-m-goll
                                )

                            [field] => slug
                        )

                )

            [primary_table] => ph_posts
            [primary_id_column] => ID
        )

    [meta_query] => WP_Meta_Query Object
        (
            [queries] => Array
                (
                )

            [relation] => 
            [meta_table] => 
            [meta_id_column] => 
            [primary_table] => 
            [primary_id_column] => 
            [table_aliases:protected] => Array
                (
                )

            [clauses:protected] => Array
                (
                )

            [has_or_relation:protected] => 
        )

    [date_query] => 
    [queried_object] => WP_Term Object
        (
            [term_id] => 2021
            [name] => Geoffrey M. Goll
            [slug] => geoffrey-m-goll
            [term_group] => 0
            [term_taxonomy_id] => 2021
            [taxonomy] => post_tag
            [description] => 
            [parent] => 0
            [count] => 12
            [filter] => raw
            [term_order] => 0
        )

    [queried_object_id] => 2021
    [request] => SELECT SQL_CALC_FOUND_ROWS  ph_posts.ID
					 FROM ph_posts  LEFT JOIN ph_term_relationships ON (ph_posts.ID = ph_term_relationships.object_id)  LEFT JOIN ph_term_relationships AS tt1 ON (ph_posts.ID = tt1.object_id)
					 WHERE 1=1  AND ( 
  ph_term_relationships.term_taxonomy_id IN (41) 
  AND 
  tt1.term_taxonomy_id IN (2021)
) AND ((ph_posts.post_type = 'post' AND (ph_posts.post_status = 'publish' OR ph_posts.post_status = 'acf-disabled')))
					 GROUP BY ph_posts.ID
					 ORDER BY ph_posts.menu_order, ph_posts.post_date DESC
					 LIMIT 0, 10
    [posts] => Array
        (
            [0] => WP_Post Object
                (
                    [ID] => 15800
                    [post_author] => 1
                    [post_date] => 2024-12-04 14:59:57
                    [post_date_gmt] => 2024-12-04 14:59:57
                    [post_content] => 

In urban areas, streams have often been buried beneath streets, buildings, and infrastructure, cutting them off from the natural ecosystem. However, a growing movement towards "daylighting" streams—uncovering and restoring these buried watercourses—has proven to be an innovative solution for improving water quality, reducing flood risks, restoring fish passage, and creating healthier habitats. Princeton Hydro has been at the forefront of these efforts, bringing expertise in ecological restoration and water resource management to daylighting projects across New Jersey.


What Exactly is Daylighting?

Daylighting is the process of removing obstructions and impervious surfaces from a buried stream or river, restoring it to a more natural state. Often, streams were diverted underground to make way for urban development. Daylighting involves reversing this process, bringing the water flow back above ground where it can interact with the natural environment. The result is a newly visible, revitalized waterway that reconnects the stream to its surrounding ecosystem. This process not only improves stormwater management but also enhances urban spaces and promotes healthier habitats.


The Benefits of Daylighting Streams

Daylighting streams offers numerous advantages to both the environment and local communities. Some key benefits include:

  • Improved Water Quality: By restoring the natural flow of water, daylighted streams help filter pollutants and reduce nutrient loads, leading to healthier ecosystems.
  • Flood Mitigation: Daylighted streams can absorb stormwater more effectively, reducing the risk of urban flooding during heavy rain events.
  • Enhanced Biodiversity: Restoring stream habitats encourages the return of native plants and wildlife, boosting local biodiversity. The process can also lead to restored fish passage.
  • Public Health and Recreation: Exposure to natural environments improves mental and physical well-being, and daylighted streams create new spaces for recreation and community engagement.
  • Urban Revitalization: These projects can transform neglected areas into vibrant public spaces, improving property values and contributing to the overall quality of life.

Daylighting in Action: Project Highlights

Princeton Hydro has successfully completed numerous daylighting projects that demonstrate the transformative power of restoring natural waterways. By leveraging innovative engineering and ecological practices, these projects restored the natural flow of waterways and enhanced the surrounding landscape. Let’s take a closer look at two examples:

Petty's Run Stream Daylighting and Floodplain Creation in Trenton, NJ

[gallery link="none" size="medium" ids="15805,15806,15807"]

In the heart of Trenton, NJ, Princeton Hydro undertook a comprehensive stream restoration. The City of Trenton, as part of a larger urban revitalization and brownfield redevelopment project, sought to restore the stream, Petty’s Run, which had long suffered from typical urban afflictions: pollution, flooding, and heavy debris accumulation.

Princeton Hydro developed a green infrastructure design that addressed these challenges holistically. The design included removing from the stream channel heavy debris, contaminated soils, and the concrete remains of previous development. The team also replaced the restrictive upstream road crossing with a pedestrian bridge, enhancing both the stream’s flow and the community’s connectivity. A significant aspect of the project involved daylighting the 250-foot underground portion of Petty’s Run, restoring it to a natural, open flow while creating an adjacent floodplain meadow to manage stormwater and provide habitat.

The project improved stormwater management, enhanced the landscape’s biodiversity, added habitat value, and established a new public green space with walking trails, which now serves as both an ecological asset and a recreational area for the community. This project earned both the Phoenix Award for Brownfield Redevelopment and the Bowman’s Hill Land Ethics Award.

Thompson Park Zoo Stream Restoration

[gallery link="none" size="medium" ids="9410,9761,14291"]

Thompson Park, a sprawling 675-acre recreational area in Middlesex County, NJ, boasts a variety of amenities, including hiking trails, ballfields, and a zoo that is home to over 50 geese and fowl, goats, and approximately 90 deer. The streams within the park faced challenges, particularly in the areas surrounding the zoo’s enclosures, including erosion and compromised water quality.

In order to increase channel stability, decrease erosion, improve water quality and ecological function, and reduce the pollutants originating from the zoo, a stormwater management treatment train was designed and constructed.

Middlesex County Office of Parks and Recreation and Office of Planning, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, South Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council, Middlesex County Mosquito Extermination Commission, Freehold Soil Conservation District, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Enviroscapes and Princeton Hydro worked together to fund, design, permit, and construct numerous stormwater management measures within Thompson Park.

One of the key project initiatives involved daylighting a section of a 24-inch reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) that had previously conveyed stormwater underground. Daylighting the stream, widen the stream channel, improved stormwater absorption, reduced erosion, helped restore the stream’s natural gradient, and improved aquatic habitat.

This multi-faceted restoration project improved stream function and created a more sustainable environment for both zoo inhabitants, the park’s visitors, and the watershed.


Expert Insights on Daylighting

Princeton Hydro’s President and Founding Principal, Geoffrey M. Goll, PE, recently shared his expertise in stream restoration during a "Daylighting Streams: Design & Engineering" webinar hosted by The Watershed Institute. The webinar explored the process of uncovering and restoring buried watercourses. Moderated by Susan Bristol, The Watershed Institute Municipal Policy Specialist, the webinar featured experts Vince Sortman, Biohabitats Senior Fluvial Geomorphologist; Warren T. Byrd, Jr., FASLA, Founding Partner of Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects & Professor Emeritus, University of Virginia; and Geoffrey. The webinar provided valuable insights into the challenges and benefits of these projects, highlighting the importance of hazard mitigation, maintenance, and community involvement in successful daylighting initiatives. The event underscored the significance of daylighting in enhancing both urban infrastructure and natural ecosystems.


Daylighting streams is a forward-thinking approach to urban water management that brings immense benefits to the environment and local communities. As daylighting continues to gain recognition as an essential tool for watershed restoration, Princeton Hydro remains a trusted leader in the field, combining innovative design with environmental stewardship.

Click here to read more about Princeton Hydro's innovative stream restoration initiatives. [post_title] => Reviving Buried Waterways: The Benefits of Daylighting Streams [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => reviving-buried-waterways [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-01-13 15:46:30 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-01-13 15:46:30 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?p=15800 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) ) [post_count] => 1 [current_post] => -1 [before_loop] => 1 [in_the_loop] => [post] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 15800 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2024-12-04 14:59:57 [post_date_gmt] => 2024-12-04 14:59:57 [post_content] =>

In urban areas, streams have often been buried beneath streets, buildings, and infrastructure, cutting them off from the natural ecosystem. However, a growing movement towards "daylighting" streams—uncovering and restoring these buried watercourses—has proven to be an innovative solution for improving water quality, reducing flood risks, restoring fish passage, and creating healthier habitats. Princeton Hydro has been at the forefront of these efforts, bringing expertise in ecological restoration and water resource management to daylighting projects across New Jersey.


What Exactly is Daylighting?

Daylighting is the process of removing obstructions and impervious surfaces from a buried stream or river, restoring it to a more natural state. Often, streams were diverted underground to make way for urban development. Daylighting involves reversing this process, bringing the water flow back above ground where it can interact with the natural environment. The result is a newly visible, revitalized waterway that reconnects the stream to its surrounding ecosystem. This process not only improves stormwater management but also enhances urban spaces and promotes healthier habitats.


The Benefits of Daylighting Streams

Daylighting streams offers numerous advantages to both the environment and local communities. Some key benefits include:

  • Improved Water Quality: By restoring the natural flow of water, daylighted streams help filter pollutants and reduce nutrient loads, leading to healthier ecosystems.
  • Flood Mitigation: Daylighted streams can absorb stormwater more effectively, reducing the risk of urban flooding during heavy rain events.
  • Enhanced Biodiversity: Restoring stream habitats encourages the return of native plants and wildlife, boosting local biodiversity. The process can also lead to restored fish passage.
  • Public Health and Recreation: Exposure to natural environments improves mental and physical well-being, and daylighted streams create new spaces for recreation and community engagement.
  • Urban Revitalization: These projects can transform neglected areas into vibrant public spaces, improving property values and contributing to the overall quality of life.

Daylighting in Action: Project Highlights

Princeton Hydro has successfully completed numerous daylighting projects that demonstrate the transformative power of restoring natural waterways. By leveraging innovative engineering and ecological practices, these projects restored the natural flow of waterways and enhanced the surrounding landscape. Let’s take a closer look at two examples:

Petty's Run Stream Daylighting and Floodplain Creation in Trenton, NJ

[gallery link="none" size="medium" ids="15805,15806,15807"]

In the heart of Trenton, NJ, Princeton Hydro undertook a comprehensive stream restoration. The City of Trenton, as part of a larger urban revitalization and brownfield redevelopment project, sought to restore the stream, Petty’s Run, which had long suffered from typical urban afflictions: pollution, flooding, and heavy debris accumulation.

Princeton Hydro developed a green infrastructure design that addressed these challenges holistically. The design included removing from the stream channel heavy debris, contaminated soils, and the concrete remains of previous development. The team also replaced the restrictive upstream road crossing with a pedestrian bridge, enhancing both the stream’s flow and the community’s connectivity. A significant aspect of the project involved daylighting the 250-foot underground portion of Petty’s Run, restoring it to a natural, open flow while creating an adjacent floodplain meadow to manage stormwater and provide habitat.

The project improved stormwater management, enhanced the landscape’s biodiversity, added habitat value, and established a new public green space with walking trails, which now serves as both an ecological asset and a recreational area for the community. This project earned both the Phoenix Award for Brownfield Redevelopment and the Bowman’s Hill Land Ethics Award.

Thompson Park Zoo Stream Restoration

[gallery link="none" size="medium" ids="9410,9761,14291"]

Thompson Park, a sprawling 675-acre recreational area in Middlesex County, NJ, boasts a variety of amenities, including hiking trails, ballfields, and a zoo that is home to over 50 geese and fowl, goats, and approximately 90 deer. The streams within the park faced challenges, particularly in the areas surrounding the zoo’s enclosures, including erosion and compromised water quality.

In order to increase channel stability, decrease erosion, improve water quality and ecological function, and reduce the pollutants originating from the zoo, a stormwater management treatment train was designed and constructed.

Middlesex County Office of Parks and Recreation and Office of Planning, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, South Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council, Middlesex County Mosquito Extermination Commission, Freehold Soil Conservation District, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Enviroscapes and Princeton Hydro worked together to fund, design, permit, and construct numerous stormwater management measures within Thompson Park.

One of the key project initiatives involved daylighting a section of a 24-inch reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) that had previously conveyed stormwater underground. Daylighting the stream, widen the stream channel, improved stormwater absorption, reduced erosion, helped restore the stream’s natural gradient, and improved aquatic habitat.

This multi-faceted restoration project improved stream function and created a more sustainable environment for both zoo inhabitants, the park’s visitors, and the watershed.


Expert Insights on Daylighting

Princeton Hydro’s President and Founding Principal, Geoffrey M. Goll, PE, recently shared his expertise in stream restoration during a "Daylighting Streams: Design & Engineering" webinar hosted by The Watershed Institute. The webinar explored the process of uncovering and restoring buried watercourses. Moderated by Susan Bristol, The Watershed Institute Municipal Policy Specialist, the webinar featured experts Vince Sortman, Biohabitats Senior Fluvial Geomorphologist; Warren T. Byrd, Jr., FASLA, Founding Partner of Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects & Professor Emeritus, University of Virginia; and Geoffrey. The webinar provided valuable insights into the challenges and benefits of these projects, highlighting the importance of hazard mitigation, maintenance, and community involvement in successful daylighting initiatives. The event underscored the significance of daylighting in enhancing both urban infrastructure and natural ecosystems.


Daylighting streams is a forward-thinking approach to urban water management that brings immense benefits to the environment and local communities. As daylighting continues to gain recognition as an essential tool for watershed restoration, Princeton Hydro remains a trusted leader in the field, combining innovative design with environmental stewardship.

Click here to read more about Princeton Hydro's innovative stream restoration initiatives. [post_title] => Reviving Buried Waterways: The Benefits of Daylighting Streams [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => reviving-buried-waterways [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-01-13 15:46:30 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-01-13 15:46:30 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?p=15800 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [comment_count] => 0 [current_comment] => -1 [found_posts] => 1 [max_num_pages] => 1 [max_num_comment_pages] => 0 [is_single] => [is_preview] => [is_page] => [is_archive] => 1 [is_date] => [is_year] => [is_month] => [is_day] => [is_time] => [is_author] => [is_category] => [is_tag] => 1 [is_tax] => [is_search] => [is_feed] => [is_comment_feed] => [is_trackback] => [is_home] => [is_privacy_policy] => [is_404] => [is_embed] => [is_paged] => [is_admin] => [is_attachment] => [is_singular] => [is_robots] => [is_favicon] => [is_posts_page] => [is_post_type_archive] => [query_vars_hash:WP_Query:private] => 2772d2a53ff109836b05c8a21aad5014 [query_vars_changed:WP_Query:private] => 1 [thumbnails_cached] => [allow_query_attachment_by_filename:protected] => [stopwords:WP_Query:private] => [compat_fields:WP_Query:private] => Array ( [0] => query_vars_hash [1] => query_vars_changed ) [compat_methods:WP_Query:private] => Array ( [0] => init_query_flags [1] => parse_tax_query ) [query_cache_key:WP_Query:private] => wp_query:b179dce4a6a8bc841a37441f23577ab6 )

Tag: Geoffrey M. Goll

archive
 
Topics
Select Topics