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This project, led by the Musconetcong Watershed Association (MWA), transformed a crumbling, long-abandoned laboratory into a vibrant, accessible riparian park space that provides opportunities for fishing, wading, paddling, and viewing wildlife in Bethlehem Township, NJ. The site, which once housed a two-story concrete block laboratory used by the Asbury Graphite Mill, had become a hazard after decades of disuse. Located on a quarter-acre island in the Musconetcong River, the building was not only structurally unsound but also in the floodway of the River, posing ongoing risks to the surrounding environment. Through a collaborative, multi-year effort, the abandoned building was demolished, the area was restored, and the island was transformed into a welcoming, accessible space for public enjoyment and recreation. The image below shows the old stairway, laboratory building, and island space with a white outline depicting the project area: Taken in 2018 before construction: [gallery link="none" columns="2" ids="15697,15702"] Taken in 2023 after project completion (photos by MWA): [gallery link="file" columns="2" ids="15706,15707"] The Musconetcong Island Park Project represents a successful collaboration among numerous partners. Led by MWA, the project involved National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Township of Bethlehem, Harrington Construction, and Princeton Hydro. Princeton Hydro provided engineering and environmental consulting services for the project. Our scientists and engineers completed all necessary permitting, designed both the conceptual and final restoration plans, and oversaw construction throughout the project. [gallery link="none" columns="2" ids="15695,15696"] Funding for the project was secured through three primary sources: New Jersey Green Acres Program, National Park Foundation, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund. These grants were instrumental in facilitating the transformation of an industrial relic into a thriving park space, balancing the preservation of the river's natural resources with the creation of an accessible community destination. [caption id="attachment_15690" align="aligncenter" width="1300"] Photo courtesy of the Township of Bethlehem, NJ.[/caption] The two-story concrete block building that once stood on Musconetcong Island was originally the Asbury Graphite Mill laboratory, constructed between 1925 and 1940. It was built on the foundation of a woolen factory that had been destroyed by fire in 1881. The laboratory was used for testing graphite, an inert and non-toxic mineral primarily used for lubrication and other industrial applications. Graphite refining began in Asbury in 1895, when Harry M. Riddle purchased the existing mills and converted them for this specialized purpose. By the early 1980s, the laboratory was abandoned due to frequent flooding and a lack of modern plumbing. Despite its industrial history, the building had become a safety and environmental concern due to its floodway location and deteriorating condition. In 1999, the laboratory building was donated to the Musconetcong Watershed Association, who then initiated efforts to restore the site and transform it into a valuable public resource. Today, the island has been transformed into a place where residents and visitors can enjoy the Musconetcong River. With improved access, new stairways, and interpretive signage sharing the history of the area, Musconetcong Island Park is a prime example of how thoughtful design can blend environmental restoration with community-focused development. [caption id="attachment_15705" align="aligncenter" width="1074"] The Musconetcong Island Park project was completed in Spring 2023. Photo by MWA.[/caption] “We are honored to have contributed to the transformation of Musconetcong Island Park and proud to see this project recognized with a New Jersey Future Smart Growth Award for its role in enhancing the Musconetcong River Watershed. It reflects our commitment to sustainable design and the power of collaboration in creating lasting, positive impacts for both the environment and the community. It’s truly a win-win — removing an obstruction from the floodway while providing public access to the river,” said Geoffrey M. Goll PE, President of Princeton Hydro. Since 2002, the New Jersey Future Smart Growth Awards have celebrated the best examples of sustainable planning and development across the state. The Musconetcong Island Park Project exemplifies these values by enhancing public access to nature, improving resilience to flooding, and fostering sustainable recreation opportunities in the heart of Bethlehem Township. The project showcases the importance of balancing environmental restoration with community needs, creating a space where people can connect with nature while preserving and protecting it for future generations. The 2024 New Jersey Future Smart Growth Awards recognize six outstanding projects that exemplify innovative and sustainable development. This year’s award ceremony and celebration took place yesterday at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. [gallery columns="2" size="medium" link="none" ids="15906,15907"] Click here to learn more about the awards and to view the full list of 2024 Smart Growth Award recipients. MWA is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and improving the quality of the natural and cultural resources of the Musconetcong River and its Watershed. Members of the organization are part of a network of individuals, families, and companies that care about the Musconetcong River and its watershed, and are dedicated to improving the watershed resources through public education and awareness programs, river water quality monitoring, promotion of sustainable land management practices, and community involvement. Click here to learn more. Princeton Hydro has been working with MWA in the areas of river restoration, dam removal, and engineering consulting since 2003. Explore how the partnership between Princeton Hydro and the MWA led to the historic return of American shad to the Musconetcong River for the first time in over 250 years, revitalizing the ecosystem—read the full story here! [post_title] => Musconetcong Island Park Project Wins New Jersey Future 2024 Smart Growth Award [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => musconetcong-island-park-project-wins-new-jersey-future-2024-smart-growth-award [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-03-07 13:15:33 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-03-07 13:15:33 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?p=15689 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [1] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 13963 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2023-11-27 12:03:16 [post_date_gmt] => 2023-11-27 12:03:16 [post_content] => The removal of Beatty's Mill Dam stands as a pivotal moment in the conservation efforts along the Musconetcong River. This critical initiative, spearheaded by the Musconetcong Watershed Association (MWA), Washington Township, and the Town of Hackettstown in collaboration with Princeton Hydro and RiverLogic Solutions, marks a significant stride towards rejuvenating the river's natural ecosystem and addressing long-standing concerns regarding flood mitigation and habitat preservation. [caption id="attachment_13929" align="aligncenter" width="763"] Photo taken November 12, 2023.[/caption] History of the Beatty’s Mill Dam Beatty's Mill Dam straddles the border between Warren and Morris Counties in Hackettstown and Washington Township, New Jersey. It is a 6-foot-high stone masonry, concrete, and earth embankment dam that was built in the 18th century and has been non-functional for decades. [caption id="attachment_13968" align="alignright" width="419"] Photo of Beatty's Mill Dam (pre-removal) taken from upstream with the East Avenue bridge in the background[/caption] Beatty’s Mill Dam is a low-head dam, which means it was not built to protect communities from flooding and can make flooding worse in some cases. Hackettstown and Washington Township are also more susceptible to flooding and erosion due to the high percentage of impervious surfaces, like roads and parking lots, which cause higher flows of stormwater runoff. A dam safety report from 1981 shows that the dam had been breached on the eastern end. The breach caused a hairpin turn where the river is diverted sharply to the east then back to the west before flowing under the East Avenue bridge. Over time, this created erosive conditions at the upstream side of the bridge and roadbed, threatening the integrity of the infrastructure. Additionally, extensive alteration of the floodplain occurred upstream of the dam, including an elevated earthen berm along the left bank, and general land disturbance in both upland and wetlands. The removal of the dam not only addresses the structural concerns but also holds the promise of extensive environmental improvements. By eradicating barriers to the Musconetcong River's natural flow, restoring the floodplain, and implementing strategies to curb stormwater runoff, this initiative aims to mitigate flooding, promote water quality, and foster a thriving habitat for aquatic organisms including indigenous species like the Eastern Brook Trout and American Eel. Removing the Dam With funding from the Highlands Council, Princeton Hydro was contracted in 2019 by Washington Township to complete a water quality assessment, hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, and functional value stream assessment of reaches of the Musconetcong River that encompassed the Beatty’s Mill site (and the downstream Newburgh Dam site). Following the New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council guidance, Princeton Hydro assessed and rated the river reaches on five functional values: channel integrity, habitat, water quality, temperature moderation, and public use. The Beatty’s Mill Dam, floodplain encroachment, narrow riparian buffers, and non-native riparian vegetation were the primary sources of impact to the functional values. Subsequently, Princeton Hydro was contracted by MWA to complete a site investigation, wetland delineation, topographic survey, and preliminary (60%) engineering design for dam removal. Preliminary plans were reviewed by Washington Township and the Town of Hackettstown. In 2023, Princeton Hydro completed the final engineering design, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, and permitting for the removal of Beatty’s Mill Dam and restoration of the floodplain and provided engineering oversight during construction. [gallery link="none" columns="2" ids="13938,13939"] The removal of Beatty’s Mill Dam was officially completed the week of November 13, 2023! Princeton Hydro assisted in the removal and restoration, providing engineering plans and project management support. With the dam removed, 2.5 acres of flood plain have been restored; 0.15 mile of stream bank have been stabilized; 0.15 mile of stream bed has been rehabilitated; and total suspended solids in the water have been reduced by 20%. Michael Allers, Princeton Hydro Restoration Ecologist and licensed FAA-Certified Commercial Drone Pilot, captured these aerial images of the completed project site: [gallery link="none" columns="4" ids="13934,13933,13932,13931"] It is projected that there will be significant improvement to the five aforementioned functional values, increased fish passage, enhanced hydraulic conditions at the East Avenue bridge as well as improvements to the river’s pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen levels. Removing the dam also supports conformance with the Highlands Regional Master Plan, which is intended to protect, preserve, and enhance precious water resources within the Highlands Region. The project work also includes the restoration of the damaged floodplain, stream banks, and stream bed by planting trees, building up the banks with rocks, and allowing the river to return to its natural flowing channel. Looking Ahead This project’s significance extends beyond the immediate environmental impact. Funding from sources like the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation under the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund and New Jersey’s Highlands Council, along with corporate contributions, underscores its potential to serve as a model for similar restoration projects across the Delaware River Watershed. Such initiatives not only enhance aquatic habitats but also bolster community resilience against flooding and elevate public awareness regarding watershed conservation. The vision for this restoration effort reflects a collective commitment to revitalize river ecosystems, not just for the immediate region but as part of a broader strategy for conservation. The Beatty's Mill Dam marks the MWA's sixth dam removed on the Musconetcong River since 2008, but it is far from the last. This project aims to set a precedent for sustainable river management and ecosystem preservation. The removal of Beatty's Mill Dam represents a milestone in the ongoing efforts to restore the Musconetcong River's ecological balance and underscores the collaborative spirit between MWA, local municipalities, various stakeholders, and Princeton Hydro. It serves as a testament to the potential of concerted conservation endeavors to restore the vitality of our waterways and safeguard the natural heritage for generations to come. The Musconetcong Watershed Association (MWA) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and improving the quality of the Musconetcong River and its watershed, including its natural and cultural resources. Members of the organization are part of a network of individuals, families, and companies that care about the Musconetcong River and its watershed, and are dedicated to improving the watershed resources through public education and awareness programs, river water quality monitoring, promotion of sustainable land management practices, and community involvement. Click here to learn more. Princeton Hydro has been working with MWA in the areas of river restoration, dam removal, and engineering consulting since 2003. Click here to read our Client Spotlight blog featuring MWA’s Executive Director Cindy Joerger and Communications Coordinator Karen Doerfer. [post_title] => Conservation Spotlight: Beatty's Mill Dam Removal is Complete [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => beattys-mill-dam-removal [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-05-14 21:37:11 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-05-14 21:37:11 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?p=13963 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 2 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 11893 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2022-11-22 17:32:43 [post_date_gmt] => 2022-11-22 17:32:43 [post_content] => This month, we’re celebrating the sixth anniversary of the Hughesville Dam Removal. The removal of the 18-foot-high, 150-foot-long dam not only marked a major milestone in restoring the Musconetcong River, it also led to the speedy return of the American shad (Alosa sapidissima), a species that had been absent from the area for 200+ years. Project Background The Hughesville Dam was constructed by John L. Riegel and the Warren Manufacturing Company in the late-1800s to provide water to power the former paper mill located in Hughesville. The dam, a 12-foot-high timber crib and rock fill dam, spanned the Musconetcong River from Holland Township, Hunterdon County to Pohatcong Township, Warren County. The structure was not in compliance with NJDEP Dam Safety Standards and was creating a blockage to catadromous and local fish passage. Musconetcong Watershed Association hired Princeton Hydro to investigate, design, permit, and oversee the decommissioning of the Hughesville Dam, and conduct related river restoration work within the Musconetcong River. The Hughesville Dam was the fifth dam on the Musconetcong River designed for removal by Princeton Hydro. As part of the dam removal project, Princeton Hydro completed a feasibility study in 2012 and initiated designs in 2014 to decommission the spillway and restore the impoundment. To assess potential sediment impacts, vibracoring was conducted and sediment analysis and quantification of the volume of impounded material was completed. Princeton Hydro worked with the NJDEP to assess the quality of sediment and determine its ultimate disposal. [gallery columns="2" link="file" ids="1046,11896"] As part of the design, the 21,000 cubic yards was proposed to be hydraulically dredged to adjacent existing on-site lagoons at this now defunct paper mill plant. The pre-existing and proposed hydraulics were assessed to understand impacts to an upstream bridge and downstream flood water surfaces following removal. Geomorphic assessments and utilization of nature-based restoration techniques were utilized to design a new river channel within the former impoundment. Following the completion of design, applications were prepared for submission to NJDEP’s Land Use Regulation Program and Dam Safety Section, as well as the Hunterdon County Soil Conservation District (Warren County ceded jurisdiction to Hunterdon County). Princeton Hydro also applied for right-of-way permits to reinforce the foundation of an upstream county bridge as well as construct project access from a county road. Following the receipt of permits, Princeton Hydro assisted in the procurement of a contractor and provided construction administration services. Bringing Down the Dam On Thursday, Sept 8 2016, the project team made the first notches in the Dam. Sally Jewell, Secretary of the Interior during that time, toured the project site and held a press conference to commemorate the initial dam breach and celebrate the exciting news. Jewell called the project a “model for collaborative conservation.” [caption id="attachment_5512" align="aligncenter" width="536"] Dam removal project partners and community members pose with Sally Jewell at the Hughesville Dam removal event on Sept. 8, 2016. Photo Credit: USFWS.[/caption] In addition to the Honorable Sally Jewell, NJDEP Commissioner Bob Martin, and U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Philadelphia District Commander Lt. Colonel Michael Bliss, also participated in the press conference to discuss the importance of the Hughesville Dam removal and dam removal in general. The entire dam removal took nearly three months, but you can watch the sped-up version here: The project was supported by many partners and funded largely by the USFWS through the Department of the Interior (DOI) under the Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013. Conservation Success The removal of the obsolete Hughesville Dam marked another major milestone of restoring the Musconetcong River. The removal is part of a larger partner-based effort led by the Musconetcong Watershed Association to restore the 42-mile Musconetcong - a designated “Wild and Scenic River” – to a free-flowing state. [caption id="attachment_11894" align="aligncenter" width="672"] Photos by Musconetcong Watershed Association[/caption] Removing the dam opened nearly six miles of the Musconetcong to migratory fish, such as American shad, that spend much of their lives in the ocean but return to rivers and their tributaries to spawn. The removal was completed in November 2016 and in the Spring of 2017, schools of American shad were observed above the dam, after 200+ years of absence. Shad are a benchmark species indicative of the overall ecological health and diversity of the waterway. Other benefits of the dam removal include eliminating a public hazard due to the deteriorating nature of the dam; restoring the natural of floodplain functions and values of the area; restoring native stream substrate and habitat; and increasing river fishing and recreation opportunities. To read more about the Musconetcong Watershed Association, click here. To read about another dam removal project along the Musconetcong River, click here. [post_title] => Celebrating the 6th Anniversary of Hughesville Dam Removal [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => celebrating-the-6th-anniversary-of-hughesville-dam-removal [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2022-11-30 23:45:11 [post_modified_gmt] => 2022-11-30 23:45:11 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?p=11893 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [3] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 9578 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2021-09-21 16:03:00 [post_date_gmt] => 2021-09-21 16:03:00 [post_content] => Lake Hopatcong Commission partnered with Lake Hopatcong Foundation, with in-kind contributions from the NJDEP, municipal governments, Morris and Sussex Counties, Musconetcong Watershed Association, Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum, Rutgers University, NJ Highlands Council, and Princeton Hydro, to address three priority streambank stabilization projects within the Upper Musconetcong River Watershed. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced that the Lake Hopatcong Commission would receive $480,650 through the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund (DWCF). The DWCF aims to conserve and restore natural areas, corridors, and waterways on public and private lands to support native migratory and resident wildlife and fish, and native plants; and to contribute to the social health and economic vitality of the communities in the Delaware River watershed. Major funding for the DWCF is provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “It’s great to see funding awarded to the Upper Musconetcong River Watershed at the federal level. The Commission was created to promote public health and welfare through the preservation of Lake Hopatcong for recreational and conservation purposes. These projects are consistent with our organizational goals and will enhance water quality and recreational access within the watershed,” said Ron Smith, Chairman of the Lake Hopatcong Commission. The grant will fund the design and implementation of three streambank stabilization projects, identified as priority projects in the 2021 Upper Musconetcong River Watershed Implementation Plan as prepared by Princeton Hydro for the Lake Hopatcong Commission. They will address important stormwater issues that had been previously identified. The projects are: Musconetcong River Streambank Stabilization and Floodplain Enhancement in Hopatcong State Park (Roxbury Township). This portion of the Musconetcong River at Lake Hopatcong’s outlet has been identified as having serious stormwater and flooding issues. An approximate four-acre section of streambank will be restored and stabilized. As part of this effort, invasive species will be eradicated and the existing floodplain rehabilitated through the establishment of native vegetation.Glen Brook Streambank Stabilization in Memorial Park (Borough of Mount Arlington). Glen Brook is a major stream entering Lake Hopatcong at Mount Arlington Beach. It is a significant source of stormwater runoff and has been identified as having a negative impact on water quality. Approximately 75 linear feet of Glen Brook immediately downstream of Memorial Pond will be regraded and vegetated to naturally treat runoff into the lake.Lakefront Public Access & Regenerative Stormwater Conveyance at Witten Park (Borough of Hopatcong). Witten Park, a forgotten public area, will be restored and serious stormwater issues will be addressed. The severely eroded Sperry Spring, which feeds Lake Hopatcong, will be rehabilitated and a regenerative stormwater conveyance will be installed. This device will convey and treat stormwater runoff down a naturally occurring slope, reconnecting it to the original floodplain. “Environmental impacts associated with development pressure in the upper Musconetcong Watershed around Lake Hopatcong have contributed to reduced water quality. By implementing these projects, we will be able to continue our efforts to improve water quality by reducing phosphorus and sediment entering Lake Hopatcong and the Musconetcong River all while enhancing local wildlife habitat and increasing recreational access around New Jersey’s largest lake,” said Kyle Richter, Executive Director, Lake Hopatcong Foundation. The grant application requested $480,650 from the DWCF with a combined local in-kind match of more than $489,000 from the Lake Hopatcong Commission, Lake Hopatcong Foundation, NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Borough of Hopatcong, Township of Roxbury, Mount Arlington Borough, Morris and Sussex Counties, the Musconetcong Watershed Association, Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum, Rutgers University, NJ Highlands Council, and Princeton Hydro. This is the first grant that has been awarded to the Lake Hopatcong Commission from NFWF. “Lakes in the Upper Musconetcong Watershed, like Lake Hopatcong and Lake Musconetcong, have experienced degraded water quality and unprecedented harmful algal blooms from excessive nutrients in stormwater runoff and aging septic systems. We are proud to partner with Lake Hopatcong Commission, Lake Hopatcong Foundation, and local stakeholders on this multi-site stream stabilization project to reduce nutrient runoff, enhance wildlife habitat, and improve public access in the watershed,” said Dr. Fred Lubnow, Director of Aquatic Resources at Princeton Hydro. To learn more about The Lake Hopatcong Commission, visit lakehopatcongcommission.org. To learn more about The Lake Hopatcong Foundation, visit lakehopatcongfoundation.org and check out our recent blog. To learn more about Princeton Hydro's natural resource management services, visit princetonhydro.com. [post_title] => NFWF Awards $480,650 Grant For Streambank Stabilization Projects in the Upper Musconetcong River Watershed [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => nfwf-awards-480650-grant-for-streambank-stabilization-projects-in-the-upper-musconetcong-river-watershed [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2021-09-29 11:05:40 [post_modified_gmt] => 2021-09-29 11:05:40 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?p=9578 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [4] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5510 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2020-10-26 09:08:30 [post_date_gmt] => 2020-10-26 09:08:30 [post_content] => Welcome to the latest edition of our Client Spotlight Blog Series! Each spotlight provides an inside look at our collaboration, teamwork, and accomplishments with a specific client. We value our client relationships and pride ourselves on forming strong ties with organizations that share our values of creating a better future for people and our planet. Meet the Musconetcong Watershed Association The Musconetcong Watershed Association (MWA) is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and improving the quality of the Musconetcong River and its watershed, including its natural and cultural resources. Members of the organization are part of a network of individuals, families, and companies that care about the Musconetcong River and its watershed, and are dedicated to improving the watershed resources through public education and awareness programs, river water quality monitoring, promotion of sustainable land management practices, and community involvement. Princeton Hydro has been working with MWA in the areas of river restoration, dam removal, and engineering consulting since 2003. To develop this Client Spotlight, we collaborated with MWA's Executive Director Cindy Joerger and Communications Coordinator Karen Doerfer: Q: What makes MWA unique? A: As a watershed association, we focus on a specific place. This includes the Musconetcong River, a National Wild and Scenic River, as well as the area’s cultural, historical, recreational, and natural resources. We take a watershed focus, seeking to monitor the river and upstream areas to ensure it maintains good water quality. Q: What does MWA value? A: MWA values community. Our membership is mostly grassroots, including residents, riverfront landowners, farmers, and local businesses. We value the long-term community of people who have helped form the organization, improve the river, and protect the scenic and historic resources that make our watershed unique. Q: How long has MWA been working with Princeton Hydro? [caption id="attachment_5512" align="alignnone" width="596"] Dam removal project partners and community members pose with Sally Jewell at the Hughesville Dam removal event on Sept. 8, 2016. Photo Credit: USFWS.[/caption] A: Princeton Hydro has helped MWA with dam removal projects since the very first one, the Gruendyke Mill Dam, which was an obsolete dam on the border of Hackettstown and Mount Olive. Since then, Princeton Hydro has helped with four other dam removal projects and is currently assisting in the removal and restoration of the Beatty’s Mill Dam in Hackettstown, providing engineering plans and project management support. The dam removals in the lower Musconetcong River have created a free-flowing passage to the Delaware River, and the removal of the Hughesville Dam welcomed the return of American shad less than a year after its removal. Q: What types of services have Princeton Hydro provided to your organization? A: Princeton Hydro has provided MWA with dam removal services on the Musconetcong River, most notably, the removal of Hughesville Dam, which brought Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, out for its notching. Princeton Hydro has also helped us with the engineering and design for the Musconetcong Island Park Project, which involves the demolition of a building in a Historic District and the replacement of new, safer stairs. We value Princeton Hydro’s expertise in environmental permitting, hydrology, and fisheries, as we have utilized this expertise to review development proposals and conduct fish surveys. Q: Do you have a favorite or most memorable project we’ve worked on together? A: The Hughesville Dam removal saw many successes and a few challenges we had to overcome as a team. After the initial removal and restoration, we worked together on another streambank restoration project to further stabilize the streambank near the dam removal site. This dam removal restored over 5 miles of free-flowing river to the Delaware River and will help lay the groundwork for the Warren Glen Dam removal, which is the largest dam on the Musconetcong River. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=969581229908361 Q: What are some exciting things your organization is working on right now? [caption id="attachment_5515" align="alignnone" width="1128"] Photo from Princeton Hydro led volunteer clean-up effort on the Musconetcong River in 2018. The team picked-up garbage along the road and riverbank, and pulled trash from the riverbed.[/caption] A: MWA is still working to restore the Asbury Mill, which we plan to use as an educational and eco-tourism hub for the community, as well as a much-needed office space for our growing staff. We’ve also received some exciting new grants that will help us continue to involve the community in efforts to protect and improve water quality. Our “Push Back the Lawn” campaign will allow us to reach out to small landowners and educate them on the importance of riparian buffers. This year has also brought some challenges for our organization, but we are excited to be picking up our River Cleanup again this fall. Normally, we conduct a watershed-wide cleanup in April, but due to COVID-19, we had to push it back. However, families and small groups are glad to be able to get out and give back by picking up trash that has collected with increasing staycations and small trips. Q: What drives you to want to go to work every day? A: Working for such a small organization, it is easier and more gratifying to see the impact it's making. Our staff gets to see a lot of projects from start to finish, so it’s rewarding to be able to have your stamp on something you watched grow from its inception to conclusion. Q: How can Princeton Hydro support you/your organization in the future? A: In the upper watershed, we are hoping that Princeton Hydro, in concert with others, can continue to help guide improvements to the water quality of Lake Hopatcong. The lake acts as our headwaters and is the largest in New Jersey. Last year, it suffered a serious issue with Harmful Algal Blooms. We are also looking forward to the Beatty’s Mill Dam removal project, where we will remove a remnant dam and reduce streambank erosion. We hope this will roll into another similar project at Newburgh, which should improve water quality and fish habitat and decrease flooding severity in the Hackettstown area. … Click below to read the previous edition of our Client Spotlight blog series, which features the Lake Hopatcong Foundation: https://princetonhydro.com/client-spotlight-lake-hopatcong-foundation/ [post_title] => Client Spotlight: Musconetcong Watershed Association [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => musconetcong-watershed-association [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-01-02 14:18:19 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-01-02 14:18:19 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.princetonhydro.com/blog/?p=5510 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 2 [filter] => raw ) [5] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5852 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2019-11-06 13:34:46 [post_date_gmt] => 2019-11-06 13:34:46 [post_content] => The 7th Annual Delaware River Watershed Forum, a two-day conference hosted by The Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, brought together organizations, consultants, and individuals spanning the four watershed states of PA, NY, NJ, and DE. This year's Forum included presentations, interactive discussions, capacity-building workshops, and site visits that highlighted local conservation projects. One of the site visits, led by Musconetcong Watershed Association (MWA) Executive Director Alan Hunt, toured dam removal sites along the Musconetcong River. The field trip visited the Finesville Historic District, where a dam was removed in 2012, and the village of Warren Glen, where the Hughesville dam was removed in 2016. Trip participants heard from project partners including Princeton Hydro President Geoff Goll, P.E., Beth Styler Barry of New Jersey Nature Conservancy, Dale Bentz of RiverLogic Solutions, Beth Frieday of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Jacob Helminiak of U.S Army Corps of Engineers, and Christine Hall of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. [gallery columns="2" link="none" size="medium" ids="4342,4343"] "We really appreciate everyone who, despite the rainy weather, participated in the Musconetcong River Restoration field trip to learn about how dam removals are helping to restore the river back to it's natural free-flowing state and the numerous resulting environmental benefits," said Geoff. “This river restoration work exemplifies how a diverse group of public and private entities can work together to overcome challenges and achieve tremendous success.” Princeton Hydro has been working with MWA in the areas of river restoration, dam removal, and engineering consulting since 2003, when the efforts to remove the Gruendyke Mill Dam in Hackettstown, NJ began. To date, Princeton Hydro has investigated, designed, and permitted five dam removals along the Musconetcong River, the most recent being the Hughesville Dam. This 16’ dam was removed in 2016 and, one year later in 2017, American Shad returned to the site for the first time in at least 100 years, and the removal was credited by the State as a contributing factor for the increase in Delaware River shad population. There is an ongoing project to monitor fishery and aquatic habitat recovery at the site. The next Musconetcong dam targeted for removal is the 32-foot high Warren Glen Dam. It is the largest dam in the river; by comparison, the Hughesville Dam was 15-feet tall. The Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed was formed in 2012, the Coalition works to raise awareness of the river and its surrounding landscape by bringing together groups already working to restore degraded resources, safeguard vulnerable assets, and educate their communities. The Coalition is committed to protecting and restoring the Delaware River, its tributaries, and more than 13,500 square miles of forests, wetlands, communities, and other distinctive landscapes in the watershed so that clean water and valued resources are secured for generations to come. MWA is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and improving the quality of the Musconetcong River and its Watershed, including its natural and cultural resources. Members of the organization are part of a network of individuals, families and companies that care about the Musconetcong River and its Watershed, and are dedicated to improving the watershed resources through public education and awareness programs, river water quality monitoring, promotion of sustainable land management practices and community involvement. Princeton Hydro has designed, permitted, and overseen the reconstruction, repair, and removal of dozens of small and large dams in the Northeast. To learn more about our fish passage and dam removal engineering services, visit: bit.ly/DamBarrier. To learn more about our Musconetcong River restoration work, go here: [embed]https://www.princetonhydro.com/blog/musconetcong-dam-removal/[/embed] … [post_title] => Delaware River Watershed Forum Participants Tour Musconetcong River Dam Removals [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => musconetcong-dam-removal-tour [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-01-02 13:56:16 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-01-02 13:56:16 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.princetonhydro.com/blog/?p=4336 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 1 [filter] => raw ) [6] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 2566 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2018-09-06 13:55:45 [post_date_gmt] => 2018-09-06 13:55:45 [post_content] => Princeton Hydro is proud to participate in a number of conferences, events, and webinars throughout September: September 6 at 12 pm: "Social Media Hacks" Webinar for the Society for American Military Engineers (SAME) Young Member Council SAME Young Member Council is hosting a webinar that will offer solutions for boosting social media presence and increasing engagement. Designed for social media beginners and experts alike, the webinar titled, “Social Media Hacks,” will be presented by Dana Patterson, Communications Strategist for Princeton Hydro. Participants will learn about creating successful social media strategy, utilizing free social media management tools, tracking social media analytics, and executing high-quality posts on various social media platforms. The webinar is free for SAME Members and $25 for all non-members. Learn more. September 9: Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour Hosted by Musconetcong Watershed Association, the “Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour” celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by bringing communities together to screen films that call attention to local and global environmental issues. The Hackettstown, NJ tour event, which Princeton Hydro is a proud sponsor of, will feature 11 short films including River Connections, a film that explores the importance of free-flowing rivers and highlights the recent Hughesville Dam removal project. An interactive panel event will follow the film screening and feature experts including MWA Executive Director Alan Hunt, Ph.D. and Princeton Hydro President Geoffrey Goll, P.E., who were both interviewed in the film. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Learn more and register. September 12: Schuylkill Action Network's (SAN) Water Utility Forum This year’s SAN Forum will cover a variety of water-quality related topics, including perfluorinated compound (PFCs) and upcoming drinking water regulations. The forum will provide a platform to collaborate and share information, expertise, and technology to help achieve a shared vision of clean water and a healthy environment for the Schuylkill River and its tributaries. A variety of presentations will be offered during the forum, including one by Dr. Fred Lubnow, Director of Aquatics Programs for Princeton Hydro, on the topic of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). Learn more and register. September 15: Mercer County Park Commission's River Days Join Mercer County Park Commission for "River Days," a free, family-friendly event at the Tulpehaking Nature Center with trail activities, arts and crafts, a raffle, and a neighborhood cookout on the back lawn of the nature center. Check out the Princeton Hydro air boat and chat with our Aquatics Field Director about the upcoming multi-year restoration of freshwater tidal wetlands in John A. Roebling Memorial Park. The restoration project is a partnership between Mercer County, New Jersey, Mercer County Park Commission, and Princeton Hydro. Learn more. September 23-26: 91st Annual Water Works Operators' Association of Pennsylvania (WWOAP) Conference is hosting its 91st annual conference, which offers a diverse collection of professional presentations, workshops, networking events and an exhibit hall. Princeton Hydro’s Director of Aquatics Programs Dr. Fred Lubnow is presenting on “Managing HABs and Their Associated Cyanotoxins in Raw Water.” Other presentation topics include “What Might Climate Change Look Like in Pennsylvania,” “A Multi-Lateral Approach to Water Loss Reduction,” and “Achieving Water Quality Optimization.” View the full conference program. September 25: New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) Research Webinar NEIWPCC is offering a free research webinar on modeling and flood-mitigation recommendations for a forested and urban Hudson River tributary watershed. The webinar takes a look at the Moodna Creek Watershed and Flood Mitigation Assessment and describes how flood models were used to inform recommendations for reducing and mitigating existing and anticipated flood risk. The assessment was conducted by environmental consultants at Princeton Hydro and GreenVest, and funded by NEIWPCC through the New York Department of Environmental Conservation’s Hudson River Estuary Program. This free webinar will be presented by Christiana Pollack, GISP, CFM, Environmental Scientist & GIS Manager for Princeton Hydro, and Jessica Jahre, CFM, AICP. Learn more. September 28: Alliance for NJ Environmental Education (ANJEE) Autumn Conference Duke Farms will host ANJEE’s Autumn Conference, titled “Imagine a World Outdoors.” The conference, which takes place completely outdoors and does not include a single PowerPoint presentation, invites environmental education professionals throughout New Jersey to come together to collaborate around innovative ideas, learn and disseminate best practices, and network. Participants will explore natural history with local experts in birding, animal tracking, and plant identifying and learn trade secrets from experienced outdoor teachers who will share their methods and techniques. Princeton Hydro’s Dana Patterson and Pinelands Adventures’ Danielle Odom are teaching a workshop on “How to Bring Out the Inner Bird Nerd in your Students.” ANJEE hopes the event will inspire participants to become more informed and dedicated stewards of the land. Learn more and register. Stay tuned for more event updates! … [post_title] => September Events Spotlight: Webinars, Conferences & Film Festival [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => september-2018-events [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2024-12-10 22:39:11 [post_modified_gmt] => 2024-12-10 22:39:11 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.princetonhydro.com/blog/?p=2566 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [7] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 2525 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2018-08-30 14:15:58 [post_date_gmt] => 2018-08-30 14:15:58 [post_content] => To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the Musconetcong Watershed Association (MWA) is hosting the “Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour”. The festival is free and open to the public, but seating is limited so, registration is required. The festival will be held on Sunday, September 9th from 10 am to 2 pm at Centenary University in Hackettstown, NJ. To bring communities together around local and global environmental issues, The "Wild & Scenic Film Festival" goes "on-tour" partnering with nonprofit organizations and local groups to screen films year-round with hopes of inspiring individuals to take environmental action. The tour stops in 170 communities around the globe, features over 150 award-winning films, and welcomes over 100 guest speakers, celebrities, and activists who bring a human face to the environmental movement. The Hackettstown, NJ tour event will feature 11 short films including River Connections, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, under which the Musconetcong River is protected. The film explores the importance of free-flowing rivers and highlights the recent Hughesville Dam removal project. An interactive panel event will follow the film screening and feature experts including MWA Executive Director Alan Hunt, Ph.D. and Princeton Hydro President Geoffrey Goll, P.E., who were both interviewed in the film. "Our multidisciplinary approach to dam removal using ecology and engineering, paired with a dynamic stakeholder partnership, led to a successful river restoration, where native fish populations returned within a year," said Princeton Hydro's President Geoffrey Goll, P.E. "We are grateful for MWA's hard work in organizing this film festival so we can continue to share our dam removal success stories and the importance of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act." Princeton Hydro, a proud sponsor of the "Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour," has worked with MWA to design five dam removals on the Musconetcong River, including the Hughesville Dam. As noted in the River Connections film, the Hughesville Dam was a major milestone in restoring migratory fish passage along the Musconetcong. Only a year after the completion of the dam removal, American shad were documented as having returned to the "Musky" for the first time in 250 years. The tour leads up to the annual 5-day film festival, which will be held January 17-21, 2019 in Nevada City and Grass Valley, California. Sponsored by National Park Service, the Wild & Scenic Film Festival honors the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, landmark legislation passed by Congress in October 1968 that safeguards the free-flowing character of rivers by precluding them from being dammed, while allowing the public to enjoy them. It encourages river management and promotes public participation in protecting streams. EVENT DETAILS: Date: Sunday, September 9th Time: Doors open at 10 am and shows start at 11 am Location: Centenary University, Sitnik Theatre, 400 Jefferson St, Hackettstown, NJ 07840 Tickets: FREE! Please register in advance: https://goo.gl/NrwcgE Interested to learn more about River Connections? Check out our blog celebrating the release of the film: [embed]https://www.princetonhydro.com/blog/wild-and-scenic-rivers/[/embed] [post_title] => Wild & Scenic Film Festival is Coming to Hackettstown [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => wild-scenic-film-festival [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-05-26 10:13:20 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-05-26 10:13:20 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.princetonhydro.com/blog/?p=2525 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [8] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 1751 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2018-04-20 22:47:26 [post_date_gmt] => 2018-04-20 22:47:26 [post_content] => The Musconetcong Watershed Association (MWA) held its 26th Annual Musconetcong River Cleanup on April 14. Volunteers conducted cleanup efforts at various locations all along the Musconetcong River from its start at Lake Hopatcong down to where it meets the Delaware River. Princeton Hydro, a proud sponsor of the event, has investigated, designed and permitted five dam removals along the Musconetcong River. Princeton Hydro led a volunteer team near the Warren Glen Dam site and former Hughesville Dam site. The team picked-up garbage along the road and riverbank, and pulled trash from the riverbed. In 2016, we designed and oversaw the Hughesville Dam removal and streambank restoration project, which enabled the return of American shad to the river for the first time in decades. "We enjoyed the beautiful, warm, and sunny Saturday morning bonding with our Princeton Hydro colleagues and friends, while giving back to the Musconetcong Watershed Association," said Geoffery Goll, President of Princeton Hydro. "Our successful partnership with MWA on multiple dam removals in critical locations has expedited the restoration and protection of the Musconetcong River." [gallery size="medium" link="none" ids="1761,1757,1758,1752,1756,1753,1759,1755,1754"] MWA hosts cleanups throughout the year. If you have an idea for a volunteer cleanup day, please email info@musconetcong.org. … [post_title] => Musconetcong River Volunteer Cleanup [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => musconetcong-cleanup [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2024-12-10 12:36:49 [post_modified_gmt] => 2024-12-10 12:36:49 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.princetonhydro.com/blog/?p=1751 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [9] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 1559 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2018-03-12 13:04:38 [post_date_gmt] => 2018-03-12 13:04:38 [post_content] => Last week, the New Jersey Conservation Foundation held its 22nd Annual NJ Land Conservation Rally, a one-day educational conference inviting people to come together around the theme of “preserving open space and farmland in New Jersey.” The conference included 26 training workshops, five roundtable discussions, exhibitors, and a thought-provoking, inspirational keynote address. “The Nature of Americans” Keynote Address The keynote was given by David Case, co-author of “The Nature of Americans National Report: Disconnection and Recommendations for Reconnection,” an unprecedented national study of Americans’ relationship to nature. The study, which included 12,000 adults, children between 8 and 12, and parents, reveals an alarming disconnection to nature, but also uncovers widespread opportunities for reconnecting and provides actionable recommendations to open the outdoors for all. One key finding of the study was that many people reported having meaningful social experiences in nature, but that many people feel "authentic” nature is too far away, expensive, and inaccessible. However, connecting with nature, along with family or friends, can be as simple as going on a walk in the neighborhood or planting flowers together. As David emphasized in his presentation, if used effectively, the findings from this study can push everyone towards a better relationship with nature, which will in turn create a better tomorrow for future generations. Scroll down to learn more about David. Princeton Hydro, a proud sponsor of the rally, gave two presentations during the conference: “Recognizing The Power of Dam Removal To Reconnect & Restore Our Ecosystem” and “Nonprofit Social Media Hacks.” “Recognizing The Power of Dam Removal To Reconnect & Restore Our Ecosystem" This presentation, which was given by The Nature Conservancy’s River Restoration Manager Beth Styler Barry and Princeton Hydro’s Director of Engineering Services Mary Paist-Goldman, P.E., posed a critical and complicated question to workshop participants: As the dams in our country age, should we continue to repair and maintain the dams or should we remove them? The decision for dam owners and communities often comes down to several factors: current use, cost, and the potential environmental impacts and/or ecological benefits of removal. Dam removal can help restore the river and reconnect the floodplain, yet it’s often a complicated process. Beth and Mary, who are experts in dam removal and restoration, shared with workshop participants the most effective ways to approach a comprehensive, all-inclusive dam removal in New Jersey, with particular emphasis on the Musconetcong Watershed. The presentation reflected the presenters' deep understanding of how to best restore complexity and dynamic function to river systems while incorporating the community’s concerns. Scroll down learn more about the presenters. “Nonprofit Social Media Hacks” Designed for social media beginners and experts alike, this presentation, by NJ Land Rally Planning Committee member Lindsay McNamara and Princeton Hydro’s Communication Strategist Dana Patterson, covered cross-channel techniques to help organizations increase engagement, event attendance, and social buzz. The 30 participants attending the workshop received recommendations on thorough, but free social media management tools, and learned how to efficiently measure social media analytics on a regular basis, utilize apps for creating polished graphics and content for social media, develop strategies for curating content from supporters and volunteers, and the no-hassle way to add Instagram takeovers to a communications calendar. For a free presentation download, click here! And, scroll down to learn more about the presenters. Presenter Bios: Learn more about Keynote Speaker David Case: Dave launched DJ Case & Associates in 1986 based on the premise that there is a need to apply the art and science of communication disciplines to the critically important science of natural resource conservation and environmental protection. Since that time, he has worked with nearly every state and federal natural resources agency in the U.S. Dave's early-career work as a biologist and then media personality opened his eyes to the importance of communication disciplines to achieving conservation goals. He worked for the National Park Service on a remote, forested island in Lake Michigan as part of his master's work to study impacts of deer overabundance. But, controversy surrounding the management of the island's deer herd gave Dave a crash course on the "people" side of wildlife management. He took a position with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and soon was appearing on weekly radio and TV programs, speaking to civic organizations and schools and learning both the art and science of communications. Dave holds a bachelor's degree in forestry from Purdue University and a master's degree in wildlife ecology from the University of Michigan. Learn more about Mary Paist-Goldman, P.E. of Princeton Hydro: Mary Paist-Goldman has nearly 20 years of experience in water resource engineering. She currently serves as Director of Engineering Services for Princeton Hydro. In her role, she coordinates all engineering services provided by the company. Her attention to detail and creative eye leads to out-of-the-box solutions to complex problems. She has expertise in the fields of stormwater management, regulatory compliance, stream restoration, dam removal, wetland mitigation, and wastewater management. She is a licensed Professional Engineer in four states. Learn more about Beth Styler Barry of The Nature Conservancy: Beth Styler Barry joined The Nature Conservancy in October 2016 as River Restoration Manager. She previously served as Executive Director of the Musconetcong Watershed Association, where she worked with landowners and private, state and federal partners on the removal of five dams and other restoration issues on the Musconetcong River. She is now working on the Columbia Dam Removal on the Paulins Kill and a wetlands restoration project in the Hyper Humus Wildlife Management Area. Beth has more than fifteen years’ experience in watershed education and protection issues including work with municipal, county, state and federal government partners. Learn more about Dana Patterson of Princeton Hydro: Dana Patterson is a passionate environmental communicator with a strong mix of diverse stakeholder engagement experience and values-based communication strategy. She recently earned her M.E.M. from Yale F&ES and has held a variety of digital media positions including Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, Yale Environment 360, and National Audubon Society. Dana has 5+ years of NGO experience empowering environmental justice communities and currently serves as Princeton Hydro’s Communications Strategist. Learn more about Lindsay McNamara of the NJ Land Rally planning committee: Lindsay McNamara is an environmentalist, a birder and blogger, and a member of the NJ Land Rally planning committee, Bergen County Audubon Society, and NJ Emerging Conservation Professionals. Over the last six years, Lindsay has served as a digital media specialist in the environmental nonprofit and higher education sectors. She holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of Delaware and is pursuing her M.A. in Public and Organizational Relations at Montclair State University. … [post_title] => 2018 NJ Land Conservation Rally [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => 2018-nj-land-rally [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-03-07 12:54:03 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-03-07 12:54:03 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://www.princetonhydro.com/blog/?p=1559 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 2 [filter] => raw ) ) [post_count] => 10 [current_post] => -1 [before_loop] => 1 [in_the_loop] => [post] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 15689 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2024-10-23 10:03:42 [post_date_gmt] => 2024-10-23 10:03:42 [post_content] => Princeton Hydro is excited to announce that the Musconetcong Island Park Project received the New Jersey Future 2024 Smart Growth Award. This project, led by the Musconetcong Watershed Association (MWA), transformed a crumbling, long-abandoned laboratory into a vibrant, accessible riparian park space that provides opportunities for fishing, wading, paddling, and viewing wildlife in Bethlehem Township, NJ. The site, which once housed a two-story concrete block laboratory used by the Asbury Graphite Mill, had become a hazard after decades of disuse. Located on a quarter-acre island in the Musconetcong River, the building was not only structurally unsound but also in the floodway of the River, posing ongoing risks to the surrounding environment. Through a collaborative, multi-year effort, the abandoned building was demolished, the area was restored, and the island was transformed into a welcoming, accessible space for public enjoyment and recreation. The image below shows the old stairway, laboratory building, and island space with a white outline depicting the project area: Taken in 2018 before construction: [gallery link="none" columns="2" ids="15697,15702"] Taken in 2023 after project completion (photos by MWA): [gallery link="file" columns="2" ids="15706,15707"] The Musconetcong Island Park Project represents a successful collaboration among numerous partners. Led by MWA, the project involved National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Township of Bethlehem, Harrington Construction, and Princeton Hydro. Princeton Hydro provided engineering and environmental consulting services for the project. Our scientists and engineers completed all necessary permitting, designed both the conceptual and final restoration plans, and oversaw construction throughout the project. [gallery link="none" columns="2" ids="15695,15696"] Funding for the project was secured through three primary sources: New Jersey Green Acres Program, National Park Foundation, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund. These grants were instrumental in facilitating the transformation of an industrial relic into a thriving park space, balancing the preservation of the river's natural resources with the creation of an accessible community destination. [caption id="attachment_15690" align="aligncenter" width="1300"] Photo courtesy of the Township of Bethlehem, NJ.[/caption] The two-story concrete block building that once stood on Musconetcong Island was originally the Asbury Graphite Mill laboratory, constructed between 1925 and 1940. It was built on the foundation of a woolen factory that had been destroyed by fire in 1881. The laboratory was used for testing graphite, an inert and non-toxic mineral primarily used for lubrication and other industrial applications. Graphite refining began in Asbury in 1895, when Harry M. Riddle purchased the existing mills and converted them for this specialized purpose. By the early 1980s, the laboratory was abandoned due to frequent flooding and a lack of modern plumbing. Despite its industrial history, the building had become a safety and environmental concern due to its floodway location and deteriorating condition. In 1999, the laboratory building was donated to the Musconetcong Watershed Association, who then initiated efforts to restore the site and transform it into a valuable public resource. Today, the island has been transformed into a place where residents and visitors can enjoy the Musconetcong River. With improved access, new stairways, and interpretive signage sharing the history of the area, Musconetcong Island Park is a prime example of how thoughtful design can blend environmental restoration with community-focused development. [caption id="attachment_15705" align="aligncenter" width="1074"] The Musconetcong Island Park project was completed in Spring 2023. Photo by MWA.[/caption] “We are honored to have contributed to the transformation of Musconetcong Island Park and proud to see this project recognized with a New Jersey Future Smart Growth Award for its role in enhancing the Musconetcong River Watershed. It reflects our commitment to sustainable design and the power of collaboration in creating lasting, positive impacts for both the environment and the community. It’s truly a win-win — removing an obstruction from the floodway while providing public access to the river,” said Geoffrey M. Goll PE, President of Princeton Hydro. Since 2002, the New Jersey Future Smart Growth Awards have celebrated the best examples of sustainable planning and development across the state. The Musconetcong Island Park Project exemplifies these values by enhancing public access to nature, improving resilience to flooding, and fostering sustainable recreation opportunities in the heart of Bethlehem Township. The project showcases the importance of balancing environmental restoration with community needs, creating a space where people can connect with nature while preserving and protecting it for future generations. The 2024 New Jersey Future Smart Growth Awards recognize six outstanding projects that exemplify innovative and sustainable development. This year’s award ceremony and celebration took place yesterday at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. [gallery columns="2" size="medium" link="none" ids="15906,15907"] Click here to learn more about the awards and to view the full list of 2024 Smart Growth Award recipients. MWA is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and improving the quality of the natural and cultural resources of the Musconetcong River and its Watershed. Members of the organization are part of a network of individuals, families, and companies that care about the Musconetcong River and its watershed, and are dedicated to improving the watershed resources through public education and awareness programs, river water quality monitoring, promotion of sustainable land management practices, and community involvement. Click here to learn more. Princeton Hydro has been working with MWA in the areas of river restoration, dam removal, and engineering consulting since 2003. Explore how the partnership between Princeton Hydro and the MWA led to the historic return of American shad to the Musconetcong River for the first time in over 250 years, revitalizing the ecosystem—read the full story here! 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Princeton Hydro is excited to announce that the Musconetcong Island Park Project received the New Jersey Future 2024 Smart Growth Award. This project, led by the Musconetcong Watershed Association (MWA), transformed a crumbling, long-abandoned laboratory into a vibrant, accessible riparian park space that provides opportunities for fishing, wading, paddling, and viewing wildlife in Bethlehem Township, NJ.
The site, which once housed a two-story concrete block laboratory used by the Asbury Graphite Mill, had become a hazard after decades of disuse. Located on a quarter-acre island in the Musconetcong River, the building was not only structurally unsound but also in the floodway of the River, posing ongoing risks to the surrounding environment. Through a collaborative, multi-year effort, the abandoned building was demolished, the area was restored, and the island was transformed into a welcoming, accessible space for public enjoyment and recreation.
The image below shows the old stairway, laboratory building, and island space with a white outline depicting the project area:
The Musconetcong Island Park Project represents a successful collaboration among numerous partners. Led by MWA, the project involved National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Township of Bethlehem, Harrington Construction, and Princeton Hydro.
Princeton Hydro provided engineering and environmental consulting services for the project. Our scientists and engineers completed all necessary permitting, designed both the conceptual and final restoration plans, and oversaw construction throughout the project.
Funding for the project was secured through three primary sources: New Jersey Green Acres Program, National Park Foundation, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund. These grants were instrumental in facilitating the transformation of an industrial relic into a thriving park space, balancing the preservation of the river's natural resources with the creation of an accessible community destination.
The two-story concrete block building that once stood on Musconetcong Island was originally the Asbury Graphite Mill laboratory, constructed between 1925 and 1940. It was built on the foundation of a woolen factory that had been destroyed by fire in 1881. The laboratory was used for testing graphite, an inert and non-toxic mineral primarily used for lubrication and other industrial applications. Graphite refining began in Asbury in 1895, when Harry M. Riddle purchased the existing mills and converted them for this specialized purpose.
By the early 1980s, the laboratory was abandoned due to frequent flooding and a lack of modern plumbing. Despite its industrial history, the building had become a safety and environmental concern due to its floodway location and deteriorating condition. In 1999, the laboratory building was donated to the Musconetcong Watershed Association, who then initiated efforts to restore the site and transform it into a valuable public resource.
Today, the island has been transformed into a place where residents and visitors can enjoy the Musconetcong River. With improved access, new stairways, and interpretive signage sharing the history of the area, Musconetcong Island Park is a prime example of how thoughtful design can blend environmental restoration with community-focused development.
“We are honored to have contributed to the transformation of Musconetcong Island Park and proud to see this project recognized with a New Jersey Future Smart Growth Award for its role in enhancing the Musconetcong River Watershed. It reflects our commitment to sustainable design and the power of collaboration in creating lasting, positive impacts for both the environment and the community. It’s truly a win-win — removing an obstruction from the floodway while providing public access to the river,” said Geoffrey M. Goll PE, President of Princeton Hydro.
Since 2002, the New Jersey Future Smart Growth Awards have celebrated the best examples of sustainable planning and development across the state. The Musconetcong Island Park Project exemplifies these values by enhancing public access to nature, improving resilience to flooding, and fostering sustainable recreation opportunities in the heart of Bethlehem Township. The project showcases the importance of balancing environmental restoration with community needs, creating a space where people can connect with nature while preserving and protecting it for future generations.
The 2024 New Jersey Future Smart Growth Awards recognize six outstanding projects that exemplify innovative and sustainable development. This year’s award ceremony and celebration took place yesterday at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center.
Click here to learn more about the awards and to view the full list of 2024 Smart Growth Award recipients.
MWA is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and improving the quality of the natural and cultural resources of the Musconetcong River and its Watershed. Members of the organization are part of a network of individuals, families, and companies that care about the Musconetcong River and its watershed, and are dedicated to improving the watershed resources through public education and awareness programs, river water quality monitoring, promotion of sustainable land management practices, and community involvement. Click here to learn more.
Princeton Hydro has been working with MWA in the areas of river restoration, dam removal, and engineering consulting since 2003. Explore how the partnership between Princeton Hydro and the MWA led to the historic return of American shad to the Musconetcong River for the first time in over 250 years, revitalizing the ecosystem—read the full story here!
The removal of Beatty's Mill Dam stands as a pivotal moment in the conservation efforts along the Musconetcong River. This critical initiative, spearheaded by the Musconetcong Watershed Association (MWA), Washington Township, and the Town of Hackettstown in collaboration with Princeton Hydro and RiverLogic Solutions, marks a significant stride towards rejuvenating the river's natural ecosystem and addressing long-standing concerns regarding flood mitigation and habitat preservation.
Beatty's Mill Dam straddles the border between Warren and Morris Counties in Hackettstown and Washington Township, New Jersey. It is a 6-foot-high stone masonry, concrete, and earth embankment dam that was built in the 18th century and has been non-functional for decades.
Beatty’s Mill Dam is a low-head dam, which means it was not built to protect communities from flooding and can make flooding worse in some cases. Hackettstown and Washington Township are also more susceptible to flooding and erosion due to the high percentage of impervious surfaces, like roads and parking lots, which cause higher flows of stormwater runoff.
A dam safety report from 1981 shows that the dam had been breached on the eastern end. The breach caused a hairpin turn where the river is diverted sharply to the east then back to the west before flowing under the East Avenue bridge. Over time, this created erosive conditions at the upstream side of the bridge and roadbed, threatening the integrity of the infrastructure. Additionally, extensive alteration of the floodplain occurred upstream of the dam, including an elevated earthen berm along the left bank, and general land disturbance in both upland and wetlands.
The removal of the dam not only addresses the structural concerns but also holds the promise of extensive environmental improvements. By eradicating barriers to the Musconetcong River's natural flow, restoring the floodplain, and implementing strategies to curb stormwater runoff, this initiative aims to mitigate flooding, promote water quality, and foster a thriving habitat for aquatic organisms including indigenous species like the Eastern Brook Trout and American Eel.
With funding from the Highlands Council, Princeton Hydro was contracted in 2019 by Washington Township to complete a water quality assessment, hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, and functional value stream assessment of reaches of the Musconetcong River that encompassed the Beatty’s Mill site (and the downstream Newburgh Dam site). Following the New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council guidance, Princeton Hydro assessed and rated the river reaches on five functional values: channel integrity, habitat, water quality, temperature moderation, and public use. The Beatty’s Mill Dam, floodplain encroachment, narrow riparian buffers, and non-native riparian vegetation were the primary sources of impact to the functional values.
Subsequently, Princeton Hydro was contracted by MWA to complete a site investigation, wetland delineation, topographic survey, and preliminary (60%) engineering design for dam removal. Preliminary plans were reviewed by Washington Township and the Town of Hackettstown. In 2023, Princeton Hydro completed the final engineering design, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, and permitting for the removal of Beatty’s Mill Dam and restoration of the floodplain and provided engineering oversight during construction.
The removal of Beatty’s Mill Dam was officially completed the week of November 13, 2023!
Princeton Hydro assisted in the removal and restoration, providing engineering plans and project management support. With the dam removed, 2.5 acres of flood plain have been restored; 0.15 mile of stream bank have been stabilized; 0.15 mile of stream bed has been rehabilitated; and total suspended solids in the water have been reduced by 20%.
Michael Allers, Princeton Hydro Restoration Ecologist and licensed FAA-Certified Commercial Drone Pilot, captured these aerial images of the completed project site:
It is projected that there will be significant improvement to the five aforementioned functional values, increased fish passage, enhanced hydraulic conditions at the East Avenue bridge as well as improvements to the river’s pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen levels.
Removing the dam also supports conformance with the Highlands Regional Master Plan, which is intended to protect, preserve, and enhance precious water resources within the Highlands Region. The project work also includes the restoration of the damaged floodplain, stream banks, and stream bed by planting trees, building up the banks with rocks, and allowing the river to return to its natural flowing channel.
This project’s significance extends beyond the immediate environmental impact. Funding from sources like the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation under the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund and New Jersey’s Highlands Council, along with corporate contributions, underscores its potential to serve as a model for similar restoration projects across the Delaware River Watershed. Such initiatives not only enhance aquatic habitats but also bolster community resilience against flooding and elevate public awareness regarding watershed conservation.
The vision for this restoration effort reflects a collective commitment to revitalize river ecosystems, not just for the immediate region but as part of a broader strategy for conservation. The Beatty's Mill Dam marks the MWA's sixth dam removed on the Musconetcong River since 2008, but it is far from the last. This project aims to set a precedent for sustainable river management and ecosystem preservation.
The removal of Beatty's Mill Dam represents a milestone in the ongoing efforts to restore the Musconetcong River's ecological balance and underscores the collaborative spirit between MWA, local municipalities, various stakeholders, and Princeton Hydro. It serves as a testament to the potential of concerted conservation endeavors to restore the vitality of our waterways and safeguard the natural heritage for generations to come.
The Musconetcong Watershed Association (MWA) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and improving the quality of the Musconetcong River and its watershed, including its natural and cultural resources. Members of the organization are part of a network of individuals, families, and companies that care about the Musconetcong River and its watershed, and are dedicated to improving the watershed resources through public education and awareness programs, river water quality monitoring, promotion of sustainable land management practices, and community involvement. Click here to learn more.
Princeton Hydro has been working with MWA in the areas of river restoration, dam removal, and engineering consulting since 2003. Click here to read our Client Spotlight blog featuring MWA’s Executive Director Cindy Joerger and Communications Coordinator Karen Doerfer.
This month, we’re celebrating the sixth anniversary of the Hughesville Dam Removal. The removal of the 18-foot-high, 150-foot-long dam not only marked a major milestone in restoring the Musconetcong River, it also led to the speedy return of the American shad (Alosa sapidissima), a species that had been absent from the area for 200+ years.
The Hughesville Dam was constructed by John L. Riegel and the Warren Manufacturing Company in the late-1800s to provide water to power the former paper mill located in Hughesville. The dam, a 12-foot-high timber crib and rock fill dam, spanned the Musconetcong River from Holland Township, Hunterdon County to Pohatcong Township, Warren County. The structure was not in compliance with NJDEP Dam Safety Standards and was creating a blockage to catadromous and local fish passage.
Musconetcong Watershed Association hired Princeton Hydro to investigate, design, permit, and oversee the decommissioning of the Hughesville Dam, and conduct related river restoration work within the Musconetcong River. The Hughesville Dam was the fifth dam on the Musconetcong River designed for removal by Princeton Hydro.
As part of the dam removal project, Princeton Hydro completed a feasibility study in 2012 and initiated designs in 2014 to decommission the spillway and restore the impoundment. To assess potential sediment impacts, vibracoring was conducted and sediment analysis and quantification of the volume of impounded material was completed. Princeton Hydro worked with the NJDEP to assess the quality of sediment and determine its ultimate disposal.
As part of the design, the 21,000 cubic yards was proposed to be hydraulically dredged to adjacent existing on-site lagoons at this now defunct paper mill plant. The pre-existing and proposed hydraulics were assessed to understand impacts to an upstream bridge and downstream flood water surfaces following removal. Geomorphic assessments and utilization of nature-based restoration techniques were utilized to design a new river channel within the former impoundment.
Following the completion of design, applications were prepared for submission to NJDEP’s Land Use Regulation Program and Dam Safety Section, as well as the Hunterdon County Soil Conservation District (Warren County ceded jurisdiction to Hunterdon County). Princeton Hydro also applied for right-of-way permits to reinforce the foundation of an upstream county bridge as well as construct project access from a county road. Following the receipt of permits, Princeton Hydro assisted in the procurement of a contractor and provided construction administration services.
On Thursday, Sept 8 2016, the project team made the first notches in the Dam. Sally Jewell, Secretary of the Interior during that time, toured the project site and held a press conference to commemorate the initial dam breach and celebrate the exciting news. Jewell called the project a “model for collaborative conservation.”
In addition to the Honorable Sally Jewell, NJDEP Commissioner Bob Martin, and U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Philadelphia District Commander Lt. Colonel Michael Bliss, also participated in the press conference to discuss the importance of the Hughesville Dam removal and dam removal in general.
The entire dam removal took nearly three months, but you can watch the sped-up version here:
The project was supported by many partners and funded largely by the USFWS through the Department of the Interior (DOI) under the Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013.
The removal of the obsolete Hughesville Dam marked another major milestone of restoring the Musconetcong River. The removal is part of a larger partner-based effort led by the Musconetcong Watershed Association to restore the 42-mile Musconetcong - a designated “Wild and Scenic River” – to a free-flowing state.
Removing the dam opened nearly six miles of the Musconetcong to migratory fish, such as American shad, that spend much of their lives in the ocean but return to rivers and their tributaries to spawn. The removal was completed in November 2016 and in the Spring of 2017, schools of American shad were observed above the dam, after 200+ years of absence. Shad are a benchmark species indicative of the overall ecological health and diversity of the waterway.
Other benefits of the dam removal include eliminating a public hazard due to the deteriorating nature of the dam; restoring the natural of floodplain functions and values of the area; restoring native stream substrate and habitat; and increasing river fishing and recreation opportunities.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced that the Lake Hopatcong Commission would receive $480,650 through the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund (DWCF). The DWCF aims to conserve and restore natural areas, corridors, and waterways on public and private lands to support native migratory and resident wildlife and fish, and native plants; and to contribute to the social health and economic vitality of the communities in the Delaware River watershed. Major funding for the DWCF is provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“It’s great to see funding awarded to the Upper Musconetcong River Watershed at the federal level. The Commission was created to promote public health and welfare through the preservation of Lake Hopatcong for recreational and conservation purposes. These projects are consistent with our organizational goals and will enhance water quality and recreational access within the watershed,” said Ron Smith, Chairman of the Lake Hopatcong Commission.
The grant will fund the design and implementation of three streambank stabilization projects, identified as priority projects in the 2021 Upper Musconetcong River Watershed Implementation Plan as prepared by Princeton Hydro for the Lake Hopatcong Commission. They will address important stormwater issues that had been previously identified. The projects are:
“Environmental impacts associated with development pressure in the upper Musconetcong Watershed around Lake Hopatcong have contributed to reduced water quality. By implementing these projects, we will be able to continue our efforts to improve water quality by reducing phosphorus and sediment entering Lake Hopatcong and the Musconetcong River all while enhancing local wildlife habitat and increasing recreational access around New Jersey’s largest lake,” said Kyle Richter, Executive Director, Lake Hopatcong Foundation.
The grant application requested $480,650 from the DWCF with a combined local in-kind match of more than $489,000 from the Lake Hopatcong Commission, Lake Hopatcong Foundation, NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Borough of Hopatcong, Township of Roxbury, Mount Arlington Borough, Morris and Sussex Counties, the Musconetcong Watershed Association, Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum, Rutgers University, NJ Highlands Council, and Princeton Hydro. This is the first grant that has been awarded to the Lake Hopatcong Commission from NFWF.
“Lakes in the Upper Musconetcong Watershed, like Lake Hopatcong and Lake Musconetcong, have experienced degraded water quality and unprecedented harmful algal blooms from excessive nutrients in stormwater runoff and aging septic systems. We are proud to partner with Lake Hopatcong Commission, Lake Hopatcong Foundation, and local stakeholders on this multi-site stream stabilization project to reduce nutrient runoff, enhance wildlife habitat, and improve public access in the watershed,” said Dr. Fred Lubnow, Director of Aquatic Resources at Princeton Hydro.
To learn more about The Lake Hopatcong Commission, visit lakehopatcongcommission.org. To learn more about The Lake Hopatcong Foundation, visit lakehopatcongfoundation.org and check out our recent blog. To learn more about Princeton Hydro's natural resource management services, visit princetonhydro.com.
Welcome to the latest edition of our Client Spotlight Blog Series! Each spotlight provides an inside look at our collaboration, teamwork, and accomplishments with a specific client. We value our client relationships and pride ourselves on forming strong ties with organizations that share our values of creating a better future for people and our planet.
The Musconetcong Watershed Association (MWA) is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and improving the quality of the Musconetcong River and its watershed, including its natural and cultural resources. Members of the organization are part of a network of individuals, families, and companies that care about the Musconetcong River and its watershed, and are dedicated to improving the watershed resources through public education and awareness programs, river water quality monitoring, promotion of sustainable land management practices, and community involvement.
Princeton Hydro has been working with MWA in the areas of river restoration, dam removal, and engineering consulting since 2003. To develop this Client Spotlight, we collaborated with MWA's Executive Director Cindy Joerger and Communications Coordinator Karen Doerfer:
A: As a watershed association, we focus on a specific place. This includes the Musconetcong River, a National Wild and Scenic River, as well as the area’s cultural, historical, recreational, and natural resources. We take a watershed focus, seeking to monitor the river and upstream areas to ensure it maintains good water quality.
A: MWA values community. Our membership is mostly grassroots, including residents, riverfront landowners, farmers, and local businesses. We value the long-term community of people who have helped form the organization, improve the river, and protect the scenic and historic resources that make our watershed unique.
A: Princeton Hydro has helped MWA with dam removal projects since the very first one, the Gruendyke Mill Dam, which was an obsolete dam on the border of Hackettstown and Mount Olive. Since then, Princeton Hydro has helped with four other dam removal projects and is currently assisting in the removal and restoration of the Beatty’s Mill Dam in Hackettstown, providing engineering plans and project management support.
The dam removals in the lower Musconetcong River have created a free-flowing passage to the Delaware River, and the removal of the Hughesville Dam welcomed the return of American shad less than a year after its removal.
A: Princeton Hydro has provided MWA with dam removal services on the Musconetcong River, most notably, the removal of Hughesville Dam, which brought Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, out for its notching. Princeton Hydro has also helped us with the engineering and design for the Musconetcong Island Park Project, which involves the demolition of a building in a Historic District and the replacement of new, safer stairs.
A: The Hughesville Dam removal saw many successes and a few challenges we had to overcome as a team. After the initial removal and restoration, we worked together on another streambank restoration project to further stabilize the streambank near the dam removal site. This dam removal restored over 5 miles of free-flowing river to the Delaware River and will help lay the groundwork for the Warren Glen Dam removal, which is the largest dam on the Musconetcong River.
A: MWA is still working to restore the Asbury Mill, which we plan to use as an educational and eco-tourism hub for the community, as well as a much-needed office space for our growing staff.
A: Working for such a small organization, it is easier and more gratifying to see the impact it's making. Our staff gets to see a lot of projects from start to finish, so it’s rewarding to be able to have your stamp on something you watched grow from its inception to conclusion.
A: In the upper watershed, we are hoping that Princeton Hydro, in concert with others, can continue to help guide improvements to the water quality of Lake Hopatcong. The lake acts as our headwaters and is the largest in New Jersey. Last year, it suffered a serious issue with Harmful Algal Blooms.
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The 7th Annual Delaware River Watershed Forum, a two-day conference hosted by The Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, brought together organizations, consultants, and individuals spanning the four watershed states of PA, NY, NJ, and DE. This year's Forum included presentations, interactive discussions, capacity-building workshops, and site visits that highlighted local conservation projects.
One of the site visits, led by Musconetcong Watershed Association (MWA) Executive Director Alan Hunt, toured dam removal sites along the Musconetcong River. The field trip visited the Finesville Historic District, where a dam was removed in 2012, and the village of Warren Glen, where the Hughesville dam was removed in 2016. Trip participants heard from project partners including Princeton Hydro President Geoff Goll, P.E., Beth Styler Barry of New Jersey Nature Conservancy, Dale Bentz of RiverLogic Solutions, Beth Frieday of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Jacob Helminiak of U.S Army Corps of Engineers, and Christine Hall of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
"We really appreciate everyone who, despite the rainy weather, participated in the Musconetcong River Restoration field trip to learn about how dam removals are helping to restore the river back to it's natural free-flowing state and the numerous resulting environmental benefits," said Geoff. “This river restoration work exemplifies how a diverse group of public and private entities can work together to overcome challenges and achieve tremendous success.”
Princeton Hydro has been working with MWA in the areas of river restoration, dam removal, and engineering consulting since 2003, when the efforts to remove the Gruendyke Mill Dam in Hackettstown, NJ began. To date, Princeton Hydro has investigated, designed, and permitted five dam removals along the Musconetcong River, the most recent being the Hughesville Dam. This 16’ dam was removed in 2016 and, one year later in 2017, American Shad returned to the site for the first time in at least 100 years, and the removal was credited by the State as a contributing factor for the increase in Delaware River shad population. There is an ongoing project to monitor fishery and aquatic habitat recovery at the site. The next Musconetcong dam targeted for removal is the 32-foot high Warren Glen Dam. It is the largest dam in the river; by comparison, the Hughesville Dam was 15-feet tall.
The Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed was formed in 2012, the Coalition works to raise awareness of the river and its surrounding landscape by bringing together groups already working to restore degraded resources, safeguard vulnerable assets, and educate their communities. The Coalition is committed to protecting and restoring the Delaware River, its tributaries, and more than 13,500 square miles of forests, wetlands, communities, and other distinctive landscapes in the watershed so that clean water and valued resources are secured for generations to come.
MWA is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and improving the quality of the Musconetcong River and its Watershed, including its natural and cultural resources. Members of the organization are part of a network of individuals, families and companies that care about the Musconetcong River and its Watershed, and are dedicated to improving the watershed resources through public education and awareness programs, river water quality monitoring, promotion of sustainable land management practices and community involvement.
Princeton Hydro has designed, permitted, and overseen the reconstruction, repair, and removal of dozens of small and large dams in the Northeast. To learn more about our fish passage and dam removal engineering services, visit: bit.ly/DamBarrier. To learn more about our Musconetcong River restoration work, go here:
To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the Musconetcong Watershed Association (MWA) is hosting the “Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour”. The festival is free and open to the public, but seating is limited so, registration is required. The festival will be held on Sunday, September 9th from 10 am to 2 pm at Centenary University in Hackettstown, NJ.
To bring communities together around local and global environmental issues, The "Wild & Scenic Film Festival" goes "on-tour" partnering with nonprofit organizations and local groups to screen films year-round with hopes of inspiring individuals to take environmental action. The tour stops in 170 communities around the globe, features over 150 award-winning films, and welcomes over 100 guest speakers, celebrities, and activists who bring a human face to the environmental movement.
The Hackettstown, NJ tour event will feature 11 short films including River Connections, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, under which the Musconetcong River is protected. The film explores the importance of free-flowing rivers and highlights the recent Hughesville Dam removal project. An interactive panel event will follow the film screening and feature experts including MWA Executive Director Alan Hunt, Ph.D. and Princeton Hydro President Geoffrey Goll, P.E., who were both interviewed in the film.
"Our multidisciplinary approach to dam removal using ecology and engineering, paired with a dynamic stakeholder partnership, led to a successful river restoration, where native fish populations returned within a year," said Princeton Hydro's President Geoffrey Goll, P.E. "We are grateful for MWA's hard work in organizing this film festival so we can continue to share our dam removal success stories and the importance of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act."
Princeton Hydro, a proud sponsor of the "Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour," has worked with MWA to design five dam removals on the Musconetcong River, including the Hughesville Dam. As noted in the River Connections film, the Hughesville Dam was a major milestone in restoring migratory fish passage along the Musconetcong. Only a year after the completion of the dam removal, American shad were documented as having returned to the "Musky" for the first time in 250 years.
The tour leads up to the annual 5-day film festival, which will be held January 17-21, 2019 in Nevada City and Grass Valley, California. Sponsored by National Park Service, the Wild & Scenic Film Festival honors the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, landmark legislation passed by Congress in October 1968 that safeguards the free-flowing character of rivers by precluding them from being dammed, while allowing the public to enjoy them. It encourages river management and promotes public participation in protecting streams.
The Musconetcong Watershed Association (MWA) held its 26th Annual Musconetcong River Cleanup on April 14. Volunteers conducted cleanup efforts at various locations all along the Musconetcong River from its start at Lake Hopatcong down to where it meets the Delaware River. Princeton Hydro, a proud sponsor of the event, has investigated, designed and permitted five dam removals along the Musconetcong River.
Princeton Hydro led a volunteer team near the Warren Glen Dam site and former Hughesville Dam site. The team picked-up garbage along the road and riverbank, and pulled trash from the riverbed. In 2016, we designed and oversaw the Hughesville Dam removal and streambank restoration project, which enabled the return of American shad to the river for the first time in decades.
"We enjoyed the beautiful, warm, and sunny Saturday morning bonding with our Princeton Hydro colleagues and friends, while giving back to the Musconetcong Watershed Association," said Geoffery Goll, President of Princeton Hydro. "Our successful partnership with MWA on multiple dam removals in critical locations has expedited the restoration and protection of the Musconetcong River."
MWA hosts cleanups throughout the year. If you have an idea for a volunteer cleanup day, please email info@musconetcong.org.
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