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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:


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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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.
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The Iowa Court and South Green Living Shoreline Project in Little Egg Harbor and Tuckerton, NJ, was awarded “Best Green Project” by Engineering News-Record magazine. The project is recognized for its use of innovative techniques to install new features to restore damage from Hurricane Sandy and protect the area from future storms.
In 2012, Superstorm Sandy devastated communities throughout New Jersey and the entire eastern seaboard. Storm resilience, flood mitigation, and shoreline restoration have since become top priorities for coastal communities and low-lying areas.
The Township of Little Egg Harbor, in conjunction with local partners including the Borough of Tuckerton, was the recipient of a $2.13 million Hurricane Sandy Coastal Resiliency Competitive Grant through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for a Marsh Restoration and Replenishment project. The grant was secured by New Jersey Future. The purpose of the project was to restore and replenish local marsh, wetlands, and beaches suffering extensive erosion along the shoreline.
T&M Associates, as the Municipal Engineer of Record for the project, oversaw all aspects of the design and implementation. T&M contracted Princeton Hydro to perform sediment sampling/testing and conduct hydrographic surveys, and Arthur Chew Consulting to assist with the feasibility study and design of the dredging project.
The project, which was completed in September 2019, provides long-term protection from erosion and will restore the vegetated shoreline habitats through strategic placement of plants, stone, sand fill, and other structural and organic materials. The living shoreline will help in the areas of storm protection, flood mitigation, and combatting shoreline erosion. The project was a great success for the Little Egg Harbor and Tuckerton communities.


[caption id="attachment_5584" align="aligncenter" width="899"]  [/caption]
Since the restoration of Iowa Court and South Green Street, this living shoreline model has received significant attention and praise, including in the American Council of Engineering Companies of New Jersey 2020 Engineering Excellence Awards; the New Jersey Society of Municipal Engineers 2019 Project of the Year Awards; and, now, this "Best Green Project" award from Engineering News-Record.
“There is growing interest in this approach from municipalities up and down the Jersey Shore. Storm and flood damage is still a pressing threat to hundreds of towns and boroughs, and it is widely accepted that storms like Sandy will only become more frequent due to the effects of climate change,” said Jason Worth, P.E., Group Manager at T&M Associates. “Thankfully, there is hope in innovation and creativity – with new approaches to living shorelines we can breathe life back into devastated beachfront communities and the natural ecosystems that support them.”
Princeton Hydro specializes in the planning, design, permitting, implementing, and maintenance of coastal rehabilitation projects. To learn more about some of our ecosystem restoration and enhancement services, visit: bit.ly/PHcoastal.


[caption id="attachment_5585" align="aligncenter" width="1016"]  [/caption]
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                    [post_title] => Living Shoreline in Ocean County, NJ Voted "Best Green Project"
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The City of Linden, located 13 miles southwest of Manhattan in Union County, New Jersey, is a highly urbanized area with a complex mix of residential, commercial, and industrial land uses. Originally settled as farmland on broad marshes, the City has deep roots in industrial production that emerged in the 19th century, and its easily accessible location on the Arthur Kill tidal straight helped fuel this industrial development.

Now, the City of Linden, which is home to more than 40,000 people, is considered a transportation hub: it has three major highways running through it (the New Jersey Turnpike, Route 1, and Route 27); its rail station provides critical commuter and industry access; the Linden Municipal Airport is a gateway to the NY/NJ metropolitan area; and its access point on the Arthur Kill is used by shipping traffic to the Port Authority of NY and NJ.
Unfortunately, the industrial boom left a legacy of pollution in the city, so much, that the Tremley Point Alliance submited an official Envionmental Justice Petition to the state. In 2005, the New Jersey Environmental Task Force selected the community for the development of an Environmental Justice Action Plan and listed it as one of six environmental justice communites in New Jersey.

Like other communities in the Arthur Kill Watershed, Linden also suffers severe flooding from heavy rains and storms with one of the significant sources of flood water coming from stormwater runoff. Due to a high percentage of impervious cover from houses, roadways, and sidewalks, even small rain events generate a significant amount of stormwater runoff. Over time, these conditions have been exacerbated by the historic loss of coastal wetlands and outdated infrastructure. Nuisance flooding is especially problematic as runoff cannot drain from the area at a sufficient rate to prevent flooding during normal or elevated tidal conditions. Very simply, heavy rainfall is one factor contributing to recurring flooding.
In 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused wide-spread destruction throughout New Jersey and the entire eastern seaboard. The City of Linden was hard hit, and the City’s Tremley Point neighborhood was especially storm-ravaged. Tremley Point, a low-lying community of about 275 homes located at the headwaters of Marshes Creek and in the 100-year floodplain of the Rahway River, is regularly flooded during normal rain events. During Hurricane Sandy, local news outlets reported that a 15-foot tidal surge overtook Tremley Point homes, destroyed roads, and washed up hazardous material such as a 150-gallon diesel tank.

To help communities like Tremley Point recover, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) launched the Blue Acres program under which NJDEP purchases homes from willing sellers at pre-Sandy market values, so residents in areas of repetitive and catastrophic flooding can rebuild their lives outside flood-prone areas. Structures are demolished and the properties are permanently preserved as open space for recreation or conservation purposes. The program began in 1995 and expanded with federal funding after Sandy. The goal of the Blue Acres Program is to dramatically reduce the risk of future catastrophic flood damage and to help families to move out of harm’s way.
As part of the NJDEP Blue Acres Program, Princeton Hydro, in collaboration with the City of Linden, Rutgers University, NJDEP, Phillips 66, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, New Jersey Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership, and Enviroscapes, has undertaken one of the first ecological restoration projects within Blue Acres-acquired properties, which are located in the Tremley Point neighborhood. This project increases storm resiliency by reducing flooding and stormwater runoff by improving the ecological and floodplain function within the former residential properties acquired by the NJDEP Blue Acres Program.

The project includes the development and implementation of an on-the-ground green infrastructure-focused floodplain enhancement design involving the restoration of native coastal floodplain forest and meadow, as well as floodplain wetlands. The restored area provides natural buffering to storm surge and enhances floodplain functions to capture, infiltrate, store, and slow excess stormwater to reduce the risk of future flood damage. In addition, it restores natural habitat and provides public recreation access on NJDEP Blue Acres property.
The design includes re-planting the parcels and the installation of a walking path through part of the area. It also includes the creation of a floodplain bench for the adjacent drainage ditch, an unnamed tributary to Marshes Creek. A floodplain bench is a low-lying area adjacent to a stream or river constructed to allow for regular flooding in these areas. Site improvements include grading of the floodplain bench and minor depressional area; 6-12-inches of tilling, soil amendment, and planting within the planting area; and construction of the gravel pathway.

The project will result in valuable environmental and community benefits to the area, including an annual reduction in stormwater runoff of 4.1 million gallons. This represents a 45% reduction in stormwater runoff. Restoration of the floodplain will also help reduce community vulnerability to storms. The hope is that this project will be a model that fosters more floodplain restoration projects in the future.
For more information on the Blue Acres Program, please visit the DEP website.




After its completion, in December 2020, this project received the “Excellence in Water Resources: Ecological Restoration Award” from the New Jersey Section – American Water Resources Association (NJ-AWRA). Read more about that 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:


Taken in 2018 before construction:

[gallery link="none" columns="2" ids="15697,15702"]

 

Taken in 2023 after project completion (photos by MWA):

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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.
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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.


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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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