The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) recently announced $8 million in Water Quality Restoration Grants to support projects that reduce nonpoint source pollution, mitigate harmful algal blooms, restore riparian areas, and enhance watershed and climate resilience. Funded through Section 319(h) of the federal Clean Water Act and administered by the DEP's Watershed and Land Management Program, these grants were awarded to municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions across the state.

Princeton Hydro is proud to be a partner on five of the 17 funded projects. Our contributions vary by project and encompass activities such as engineering design, water quality assessment, watershed-based planning, and technical support for implementing stormwater and habitat restoration measures. Let's take a deeper look at these collaborative efforts:

1. The Watershed Institute – Watershed-Based Planning for Assunpink Creek

The Watershed Institute received $205K in 319(h) grant funding to develop a watershed-based plan for the Assunpink Creek watershed, located within the Raritan River Basin. This watershed spans 11 municipalities across two counties, where varied landscapes and demographics share common challenges such as localized flooding, stormwater management, and water quality degradation, highlighting the need for a coordinated, watershed-wide, science-driven approach.

The plan will evaluate pollution sources and identify large-scale restoration opportunities, including green infrastructure and riparian buffer restoration, to improve water quality and reduce flooding. It will also assess the cost, feasibility, and pollutant reduction potential of proposed measures to ensure practical implementation. Princeton Hydro supported the Institute in developing the grant proposal and planning framework, leveraging our expertise in watershed-based planning to prioritize nature-based solutions that address both water quality and climate resilience. This initiative represents a critical step toward regional collaboration, enabling upstream and downstream communities to work together on strategies that strengthen watershed health, protect public safety, and build long-term resilience.

2. Lake Hopatcong Commission – Watershed-Based Stormwater BMPs

The Lake Hopatcong Commission (LHC) was awarded $366K to retrofit an existing stormwater detention basin between King Road and Mount Arlington Boulevard in Roxbury Township. This retrofit is part of a larger Watershed Implementation Plan that Princeton Hydro developed in collaboration with LHC, which prioritizes nutrient reduction and stormwater management strategies across the Lake Hopatcong watershed. Over the past several years, LHC has actively implemented multiple elements of this plan to address harmful algal blooms (HABs) and improve water quality.

For this project, Princeton Hydro is providing engineering design and technical oversight to transform the existing basin into a green stormwater infrastructure system that slows, captures, and naturally treats runoff before it enters King Cove. The design incorporates native vegetation, invasive species management, and erosion control measures to stabilize soils and filter pollutants, reducing nutrient loading, which is one key driver of HABs. Public outreach and pre- and post-construction water quality monitoring will ensure performance tracking and measurable improvements. This basin retrofit represents a critical step in a coordinated, science-based approach to restoring ecological health and water quality in New Jersey’s largest lake.

3. Cozy Lake, Jefferson Township – Addressing Emerging Contaminants

Jefferson Township received $350K in grant funding to develop an Emerging Contaminants Management Plan for Cozy Lake, focusing on cyanotoxins and HABs. Cozy Lake is a 28-acre waterbody within a 1,152-acre sub-watershed that includes both forested (60%) and developed (29%) land. The lake is fed by the Rockaway River at its northern end and a smaller southeastern inlet, with outflow through a dam on the western edge.

The shoreline is primarily residential lawn with minimal emergent wetlands, and several inlets and rock-lined drainage ditches exhibit erosion and lack slope protection, contributing to sediment loading. Princeton Hydro provided early technical input to shape this innovative project with the creation of a comprehensive Jefferson Township Lake and Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan. As part of the plan, Princeton Hydro made recommendations for Cozy Lake, which included enhancing shoreline buffers with native vegetation and installing living shorelines at select properties to stabilize soils, filter stormwater and reduce nutrient loading, improve habitat quality, and enhance community access. These measures, combined with in-lake monitoring and proactive management strategies, will help mitigate HABs and protect ecological and public health.

4. Rockaway Township – Watershed-Based Green Infrastructure

Rockaway Township received $399K in grant funding to implement elements of its Watershed Implementation Plan, focusing on green infrastructure stormwater management and nutrient reduction to improve water quality. The project will retrofit the municipal complex by converting a rock-lined drainage swale into a vegetated swale with a bioretention basin, designed to filter stormwater runoff and reduce nonpoint source pollutants entering Fox’s Pond and Fox Brook.

Princeton Hydro played a key role in developing the Watershed Implementation Plan, which encompasses 11 private lakes within the Rockaway River watershed, prioritizing critical locations for intervention and designing cost-effective green infrastructure BMPs. This regional approach aligns with strategies recommended by NJDEP and the Highlands Council. The plan included a comprehensive watershed-based assessment to identify and quantify factors contributing to eutrophication, evaluate management measures, estimate costs, and establish an implementation schedule. Princeton Hydro authored the final report, which guided the Township in applying for the Section 319(h) grant and now informs the design and construction of green stormwater infrastructure that will deliver measurable water quality improvements while supporting ecological restoration goals.

5. Green Trust Alliance – Green Infrastructure and Community Engagement

Green Trust Alliance (GTA), a nationally accredited land trust and public charity dedicated to accelerating large-scale conservation, received $1.39 million in NJDEP funding to implement green infrastructure improvements at Pinelands Regional High School in Tuckerton, New Jersey. This initiative targets the Tuckerton Creek watershed, which drains into Tuckerton Creek and ultimately flows into Barnegat Bay—a critical estuary spanning 33 municipalities in Ocean County and four in Monmouth County. The retrofit will transform the school’s stormwater detention basin into a multi-functional system that mimics natural hydrology, enhances flow control, and improves water quality locally and in the larger Barnegat Bay watershed.

Working with GTA and GreenVest, Princeton Hydro is serving as the design engineer, applying nature-based engineering and ecological restoration techniques to intercept, evapotranspire, and infiltrate stormwater runoff at its source. In addition to its technical objectives, the effort includes a strong community engagement component and an educational platform for students. By bringing green infrastructure into the school environment, the initiative provides hands-on experience with water resources, stormwater management, and ecological engineering, help to build STEM skills while fostering a deeper connection to the surrounding landscape and an understanding of how natural systems work together to support environmental and community health.

Princeton Hydro also assisted several of these partners in developing successful NJDEP Section 319(h) grant applications, providing technical documentation, conceptual designs, and pollutant load reduction estimates to strengthen the proposals.

To date, the Murphy Administration has awarded more than $33M in Water Quality Restoration grants to improve the health of waterways in all corners of the state. Click here to read about all the 2025 grant funding recipients and their innovative projects.

As NJDEP Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette noted in the department's press release, “Enhancing the ecological health of our lakes, rivers, streams and coastal waters has long been a priority of the Murphy Administration. The Department of Environmental Protection is pleased to award these grants that will help our partners advance a variety of strategies to improve the health of these waterways and enhance the quality of life in our communities.”

We are proud to play a continued role in advancing that mission: helping communities implement practical, data-driven solutions that make a measurable difference for New Jersey’s waterways and the people who depend on them. Click here to learn more about our work to protect natural habitat and restore water quality throughout the New Jersey.

Welcome to the latest edition of our Client Spotlight blog series, which provides an inside look at our collaboration, teamwork, and accomplishments with one of our client partners.

In this special edition, we’re shining the spotlight on the Town of Mina and Findley Lake Watershed Foundation (FLWF), two organizations working closely together to protect and preserve Findley Lake in Chautauqua County, New York. This charming 300-acre lake is a cherished focal point for recreation, tourism, and community pride, and safeguarding it is a shared responsibility. The Town of Mina and FLWF, a volunteer-led nonprofit, have built a strong partnership dedicated to maintaining the lake’s health and ensuring its long-term sustainability.

We spoke with Rebecca Brumagin, Town of Mina Supervisor, and Ed Mulkearn, Board President of the FLWF.

We kicked-off the conversation with a question for Rebecca:

Q: Rebecca, can you provide an overview of the Town of Mina and the core values the Town prioritizes?

A:

[embed]https://youtu.be/DkloMSAMoyE[/embed]

Rebecca continues: “As part of our 2024 Comprehensive Plan, the Town of Mina identified four core community values that guide our decision-making, with our top priority being Findley Lake!

The lake is the heart of our community. Ensuring it remains clean, beautiful, and accessible for recreation and overall enjoyment is essential to our identity. That’s why we work so closely with FLWF. During the comprehensive planning process, FLWF developed a Lake Management Plan, which now guides our environmental efforts.

Our second core value is economic development. Findley Lake is experiencing an exciting period of growth, with several initiatives underway, including a new warehouse distribution center, growing retail presence, and revitalization in the downtown area. It’s truly a renaissance moment for our community.

Third, we’re deeply committed to preserving and enhancing our community character. We value our rural lifestyle and are working to improve it with expanded trails, new boardwalks, and safer, more accessible green spaces for all to enjoy. And, our fourth core value centers on strengthening local government, becoming more efficient, effective, and responsive to the needs of our residents. We want people to feel heard, supported, and engaged in the future of our town.”

Q: Ed, can you tell us about the history of FLWF and how it evolved into the organization it is today?

A:

“FLWF was established in 2002, but our roots go back much further. Before that, our work was carried out by the Findley Lake Property Owners Association, which formed in the late 1940s after the lake was no longer needed as a power source for milling operations.

At that time, the lake and dam were donated by Larry Schwartz to a group of local, stewardship-minded residents. That group did the best they could with limited resources and knowledge. But as science, lake management practices, and environmental awareness progressed, so did our approach.

By transitioning to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2002, we were able to access grant funding and expand our work significantly. Since then, we’ve purchased weed harvesters, partnered with Princeton Hydro for lake studies, and supported major infrastructure projects like the new sewer system currently in development to address septic-related pollution.

We’ve also taken steps to reduce streambank erosion and manage phosphorus loading that affects lake oxygen levels. Our board is strong and diverse—we have dedicated members with the expertise needed to keep moving the organization and the lake forward. At our core, FLWF is committed to maintaining, enhancing, and improving the quality of Findley Lake and its watershed through science-based action and collaboration.”

Q: Ed, what are the core values that guide FLWF, and which current projects highlight those values in action?

A:

[embed]https://youtu.be/l7ljPic09iE[/embed]

Q: Rebecca, what are some of the initiatives the Town of Mina is leading to support ecological uplift, water quality improvements, and environmental stewardship?

A:

[embed]https://youtu.be/hTb0GMQirgE[/embed]

Rebecca continues: “We’ve made significant strides in advancing the health of our local environment, thanks in part to support from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). We’ve completed three DEC-funded studies that are guiding our next steps.

One study focused on culverts throughout the watershed with the goal of improving water flow and reducing flood risk. Every culvert was assessed to identify those that need repair or replacement. Another study analyzed stormwater runoff, identifying ten key inflow areas to Findley Lake where erosion and sedimentation pose potential threats. Each site was evaluated and prioritized, and we’ve since secured a DEC grant to address the highest-priority site. And, the third study explored in-lake nutrient control strategies, which laid the groundwork for our current partnership with Princeton Hydro on nutrient management efforts.

Beyond lake-focused work, we’re also committed to enhancing community access to nature. We’ve received support from Chautauqua County for efforts that will benefit both the environment and quality of life for residents and visitors alike.”

Q: Ed, reflecting on past collaborations, can you highlight a project or two that FLWF has worked on with Princeton Hydro?

A:

“We first partnered with Princeton Hydro a few years ago when our board recognized the need for expert guidance on lake management. While we have a strong, professional board, we lacked the specialized knowledge in lake ecology and water quality science to move forward confidently with major decisions.

After researching several firms, we chose to bring Princeton Hydro on board to help us better understand nutrient dynamics in the lake. One of our key concerns was the persistent late-summer algae blooms, which we later learned were linked to phosphorus being released from the lake’s sediments.

Princeton Hydro conducted an in-lake nutrient study that clearly explained this internal loading process and helped us chart a path forward. Building on that work, we’re now working with the Princeton Hydro team on a bathymetric and sediment analysis to guide our next step, which will be to install an aeration system to reduce phosphorus release and improve water quality.

Princeton Hydro’s expertise has been instrumental in making complex science understandable and actionable, which has helped us take meaningful steps toward restoring the health of Findley Lake.”

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Q: Rebecca, is there anything you'd like to add about the Town’s collaboration with Princeton Hydro?

A:

[embed]https://youtu.be/vtEIi23Ov98[/embed]

Following Rebecca’s remarks, Ed adds: “I’d just like to echo what Rebecca said—the Princeton Hydro team we worked with this Spring was truly a pleasure to collaborate with. Their depth of knowledge was impressive, but just as important was their ability to communicate complex concepts in a way that was clear and easy for our board to understand. That kind of approachability made a big difference. It was a great experience working with them.”

Q: Ed, for those interested in supporting FLWF’s mission, how can individuals get involved and contribute to your efforts?

A:

“We’re always grateful for donations, they fuel much of what we do. But beyond financial support, one of the most valuable ways people can contribute is by sharing their experiences and ideas.

There are countless lakes and watershed organizations out there facing similar challenges, and many have come up with innovative, cost-effective solutions. We’re always eager to learn from others; whether it's a new technology, a successful restoration approach, or a creative funding strategy. Collaboration and information-sharing are incredibly powerful tools in watershed management. If you’ve worked on a similar issue or simply have ideas that could help, we’d love to hear from you. The more we connect and learn from each other, the better we can protect and improve Findley Lake for generations to come.”

Following Ed’s comments, Rebecca adds: “One of the things that makes the Town of Mina so special is the strong culture of volunteerism. We’re fortunate to have many residents, often individuals who’ve had professional careers elsewhere, who bring their skills, energy, and passion to our community.

Even though we’re a small town, we benefit from a wide network of nonprofit organizations and local initiatives. For example, the Findley Lake Nature Center is actively working on trail development, and there are many other opportunities for people to get involved in stewardship, whether it’s helping maintain green spaces, supporting water quality efforts, or sharing expertise on local projects.

What’s especially unique about our community is how welcoming we are. Newcomers don’t have to wait decades to feel at home here—they’re embraced right away, and their ideas are valued. That openness has really enhanced our ability to protect Findley Lake and strengthen the town as a whole.”

To close out the conversation, we asked Rebecca and Ed if there was anything else they’d like to share.

In the video below, Ed reflects on the strong sense of community in the Town of Mina and the local support that fuels the ongoing efforts to protect and preserve Findley Lake:

[embed]https://youtu.be/nrsMt1WMODw[/embed]

After Ed’s remarks, Rebecca shares a few additional reflections: “One particularly meaningful designation we’ve received is from New York State, which has identified us as one of only two rural NORCs (Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities) out of 43 statewide. This designation recognizes our vibrant population of older adults and has allowed us to pursue new forms of support and services. We’re currently looking into developing a pocket neighborhood to help seniors remain in the community, where they continue to be active, involved, and deeply valued.

And here’s a fun fact that speaks to the energy of Findley Lake: it serves as the practice site for the women’s rowing team from Mercyhurst University, who happen to be the reigning national champions. Pretty cool, right?”

Yes, Rebecca, we think that’s very cool!

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Photo from Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau[/caption]

A heartfelt thank you to Rebecca and Ed for their partnership and for taking the time to speak with us to share their passion for protecting Findley Lake and strengthening the Town of Mina. Their leadership and collaboration exemplify the power of community-driven stewardship.

To learn more about their work and how you can get involved, we encourage you to visit the Town of Mina’s website and FLWF at findleylakewf.org.

Click here to read the previous edition of our Client Spotlight Series featuring Farmington River Watershed Association Executive Director Aimee Petras.

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Nestled in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, Harveys Lake spans 622 acres and is the largest natural lake by volume in the Commonwealth. Beyond its scenic beauty and popularity as a recreational destination, the lake plays a critical ecological role in the region.

Harveys Lake forms the headwaters of Harveys Creek, which flows into the Susquehanna River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. As such, it is part of the greater Susquehanna River Valley and contributes to the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The lake and its outflow are designated High Quality – Cold-Water Fisheries, supporting sensitive aquatic life, providing vital cold-water habitat, and contributing to regional biodiversity.

Given its ecological significance and its connection to regional waterways, efforts to manage stormwater and reduce nutrient pollution in the Harveys Lake watershed are more than just local improvements, they are integral to protecting downstream water quality all the way to the Chesapeake Bay.

In 2022, building on decades of water quality initiatives, the Borough of Harveys Lake launched a forward-thinking pilot project to enhance stormwater treatment using innovative nutrient-filtering technologies. Supported by funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grant Program and designed and implemented in partnership with Princeton Hydro, this project explores the use of biochar and EutroSORB® filtration media to capture dissolved nutrients, an important step toward improving water quality and meeting regulatory goals.

This blog explores the local history of water management at Harveys Lake, the science behind this novel pilot approach, and the broader implications for watershed protection across the region.

Historical Management of Harveys Lake

Once a remote, wooded landscape, the Harveys Lake area was settled in the early 19th century and gradually developed into a hub for timbering and milling. By the late 1800s, the lake was regularly stocked with game fish, and with the arrival of the railroad in 1887, it quickly became a popular summer destination. The shoreline soon featured hotels, restaurants, and even an amusement park.

As the community flourished, the lake's natural systems began to show signs of strain. Like many waterbodies across the country, Harveys Lake faced growing water quality challenges driven by stormwater runoff, nutrient pollution, and a lack of formal environmental protections. By the 1960s, declining water clarity and seasonal algal blooms began to impact recreation, contributing to the lake’s gradual transition from a bustling public getaway to a primarily residential community.

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Harveys Lake, Luzerne County, PA in February 2023 (photo by Jason Miller)[/caption]

A significant shift occurred following the passage of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water Act of 1972. Harveys Lake established a municipal sewer authority, and construction began on a utility line around the lake's perimeter to reduce point-source pollution. Still, algae blooms persisted throughout the 1980s, fueled by nonpoint sources such as stormwater runoff, lawn fertilizers, and waterfowl droppings.

In 1994, a Phase I Diagnostic Feasibility Study was conducted that formally identified Harveys Lake as impaired due to recurring algal blooms linked to elevated nutrient levels. Following this study, a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) was established, and management efforts were initiated to meet long-term water quality goals.

Since 2003, the Harveys Lake watershed has undergone extensive stormwater management efforts, including the installation of numerous manufactured treatment devices (MTDs) to reduce pollutant loading. Most of these MTDs are nutrient separating baffle boxes (NSBBs), chosen due to the watershed’s steep slopes, dense residential development, and shallow bedrock. The first NSBB, pictured below, was installed at Hemlock Gardens:

In 2009, the Borough of Harvey’s Lake worked with Princeton Hydro to develop a Stormwater Implementation Plan that laid the foundation for future restoration efforts. Over the following years, the Borough of Harveys Lake, supported by state and regional grants, implemented 34 stormwater best management practices (BMPs) and installed four floating wetland islands throughout the watershed. Volunteers install native plants in one of the FWIs installed in Harveys Lake. Photo by: Mark Moran, The Citizen’s Voice.

These projects were strategically designed to reduce nutrient loading, enhance water quality, and move the lake closer to achieving its TMDL targets. Click here to read more about these efforts.

Innovative Solutions for Stormwater Nutrient Reduction

While NSBB stormwater BMPs are highly effective at capturing sediments and associated pollutants, they are limited in their ability to remove dissolved nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus. This is evident in the Harveys Lake Watershed, where NSBBs remove approximately 70% of total suspended solids (such as sediment and plant debris), 35% of total phosphorus, and 0% of total nitrogen. To address this gap and improve overall nutrient removal efficiency, the Borough of Harveys Lake received funding from the NFWF Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grant Program to augment existing MTD stormwater BMPs using new filter technologies.

Partnered with Princeton Hydro for design, implementation, and technical support, the Borough launched a unique pilot project involving the installation of biochar and EutroSORB® (manufactured by SePRO Corporation) to evaluate the effectiveness of these two innovative materials in removing dissolved phosphorus and total nitrogen from stormwater runoff before it reaches Harveys Lake.

Biochar, a carbon-rich material derived from plant biomass, is valued for its high surface area and nutrient-adsorption capacity. EutroSORB® is a manufactured media specifically engineered to bind and retain dissolved phosphorus with demonstrated effectiveness in aquatic systems.

Filter socks filled with either biochar or EutroSORB® were installed at key stormwater outfalls and stream inlets that drain directly to the lake. At four NSBB sites, the socks were secured beneath manhole covers using a rope-and-carabiner system designed for easy, seasonal replacement. Each sock weighs approximately 50–60 pounds when saturated and was carefully positioned to avoid dislodgement or blockage of outlet pipes during high-flow events.

At the Hemlock Gardens site, which features a larger, multi-tray baffle box, twelve filter socks were installed across two horizontal trays to maximize contact time between stormwater and the filter media.

By integrating these innovative filter techniques into the existing BMP infrastructure, the Borough of Harveys Lake is taking a proactive, science-based approach to nutrient reduction and long-term water quality improvement.

Measuring Success: Sampling, Monitoring, & Key Findings

Princeton Hydro implemented a comprehensive water quality monitoring program in the Harveys Lake watershed to assess the real-world performance of the biochar and EutroSORB® filtration systems under varying hydrologic conditions, with a particular focus on dissolved nutrients that contribute to eutrophication.

Monitoring Set-Up

Six stormwater monitoring stations were established at locations where biochar or EutroSORB® were deployed within NSBBs or stream inlets. Each site included paired upstream (pre-treatment) and downstream (post-treatment) sampling points to capture the nutrient concentrations entering and exiting the filtration media.

Stormwater sampling was conducted during six separate rainfall events between March and April 2025. At each location, during storm flow conditions, discrete grab samples were collected via a portable polyethylene sampling pole and analyzed for key water quality parameters.

Data Analysis & Pollutant Load Modeling

Beyond concentration-based comparisons, Princeton Hydro used empirical monitoring data to model pollutant loads upgradient and downgradient of the filtration media. These load estimates provide insights into pollutant removal effectiveness on a mass basis, with a focus on:

Total Nitrogen (TN),
Total Phosphorus (TP),
Total Suspended Solids (TSS), and
Soluble Reactive Phosphorus (SRP).

Emphasis was placed on SRP—the biologically available form of phosphorus most readily assimilated by algae and a key driver of harmful algal blooms and eutrophication. Because phosphorus is the target pollutant in Harveys Lake’s TMDL, SRP reduction serves as a critical indicator of the filtration media’s performance and its potential role in long-term water quality management strategies.

Key Findings

Overall, the study revealed variable but promising results across media types and installation locations:

SRP: Reductions were more pronounced in the EutroSORB® dataset, with 50-83% of NSBB samples and 67% of stream samples showing improvement. Biochar performed well in stream applications, achieving SRP reductions in 83% of samples, and moderately in NSBBs, with 33-67% showing positive results.
TN: Reductions were most evident in EutroSORB®-treated NSBBs, with 67-100% of samples showing a net decrease in concentrations.
TP: Removal was most effective in NSBBs utilizing EutroSORB®, where 67% of samples showed a net reduction, with values ranging from -14% to -70%. Biochar-treated NSBBs demonstrated more modest results, with 33-50% of samples showing TP reductions.

These early findings suggest that both EutroSORB® and biochar hold promise as cost-effective tools for reducing soluble phosphorus in stormwater runoff. Additionally, observed differences in removal efficiency, based on installation context (NSBB vs. stream), filter media volume, and site-specific hydrologic conditions, underscore the importance of continued monitoring and system refinement.

Engaging the Community & Enriching the Landscape

As part of the project’s commitment to long-term sustainability and public education, a native pollinator garden was established near the Harveys Lake Department of Public Works garage, adjacent to the Little League fields.

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After the final sampling in April 2025, the nutrient-saturated biochar and EutroSORB® socks were removed from the stormwater treatment systems. The spent biochar, having captured phosphorus and nitrogen from runoff, was repurposed as a soil amendment to enrich a 500-square-foot planting area. This repurposing effort served a dual purpose: demonstrating a closed-loop approach to managing excess nutrients while also creating a community-oriented space that supports local biodiversity.

The Harveys Lake Environmental Advisory Council volunteered to help plant the garden, installing 450 native plant plugs across nine species including Foxglove Beardtongue, Clustered Mountain Mint, Blue Wild Indigo, and Common Yarrow to attract pollinators such as butterflies, bees, and songbirds.

Designed by Princeton Hydro, the pollinator garden serves as both an ecological asset and an educational tool. Its prominent location next to the ballfields encourages community engagement, and an interpretive sign on-site helps visitors understand the garden’s purpose and its connection to local water quality initiatives. The sign features a QR code linking to an interactive ArcGIS StoryMap, developed by Princeton Hydro, which explores the broader context of the project. It draws connections between nutrient management efforts in Harveys Lake and similar challenges facing the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed, emphasizing how local actions contribute to regional water quality improvements. To support public outreach, the StoryMap was also shared on the Borough’s website, making this educational resource widely accessible to the community.

Click here to learn more about and explore the StoryMap.

It is important to note that while this project illustrates a successful example of biochar reuse, all reuse applications must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. For example, biochar exposed to hazardous pollutants is not suitable for soil use. In this case, the biochar had only been used to absorb excess nutrients, making it appropriate for the garden setting.

A Scalable, Shareable Solution

Supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the NFWF’s Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund, which promotes community-based conservation strategies to protect and restore Chesapeake Bay’s natural resources, this project was designed with scalability in mind. A core objective was to evaluate whether these filtration media could be more broadly implemented throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed as a low-cost, community-integrated strategy for achieving water quality goals.

Through continued innovation and shared learning, small-scale efforts like this can drive large-scale impact, proving that effective water quality solutions don’t have to be costly or complex. The Harveys Lake model offers a replicable framework that communities across the region can adopt and adapt, empowering local action that contributes meaningfully to the restoration and resilience of Chesapeake Bay.

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Lake Latonka is a 260-acre man-made freshwater lake in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. The lake serves as the centerpiece of the Lake Latonka community, and is used for fishing, boating, swimming, and a variety of recreation activities.

The watershed of Lake Latonka encompasses 8,000+ acres of rural land, which is comprised predominantly by agricultural type land uses (57%) and forest (27%) with low-density residential (12%) occurring along the immediate lake shores. The area is bordered by Ohio to the West and located midway between the cities of Erie and Pittsburgh.

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Photo by Lynne Annis[/caption]

The Lake, which was formed in 1965, has been studied and managed in some form since its formation with a record of consistent management and study since the mid-1990s. This work has included water quality monitoring, academic study of the sediment transport to the lake, herbicide and algaecide applications, and the development of generalized guidance for lake management. Additionally, some advanced management and restoration activities were implemented, including the installation of a community sewer system and maintenance dredging of the lake's inlet area.

Despite these ongoing efforts, the lake has suffered from water quality impairments primarily due to excessive phosphorus from surrounding agricultural land that flows into the waterbody via stormwater runoff. These nutrients fuel algal growth and contribute to the increased deposition of sediment and nutrients at the lake bottom.

Over time, the increase in biological oxygen demand has led to anoxia (i.e. no oxygen) in the lake’s deep waters, which causes phosphorus to be ‘pumped’ from the sediments during the summer months. This process is termed ‘internal loading’ and leads to an acceleration of lake productivity that has fueled harmful algal blooms (HABs).

Recognizing the importance of the lake within the community, the Water Quality Committee (WQC) of Lake Latonka commissioned Princeton Hydro to perform an in-depth diagnostic/feasibility study and, based on the study's findings, develop a comprehensive Lake Management Plan.

The diagnostic/feasibility study, in accordance with USEPA protocol, also analyzed background data; collected site specific water quality and fishery data; and computed the nutrient and hydrologic load. The study also included trophic calculations, the development of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based) goals, and the establishment of site-specific management recommendations.

In order to meet Lake Latonka’s water quality goals most expediently, Princeton Hydro recommended five primary management measures:

Phosphorus Loading Mitigation
Biomanipulation
Management of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
Waterfowl Management
Regular Water Quality Monitoring and Testing.

Phosphorus Loading Mitigation

Although phosphorus is a nutrient utilized for plant growth, excessive phosphorus in waterbodies has problematic effects in that it speeds up weed production, reduces water quality, and can lead to HABs. One of the most sustainable means of controlling nuisance weed and algae proliferation is to control phosphorus inputs or reduce the availability of phosphorus for biological uptake and assimilation.

For Lake Latonka, Princeton Hydro recommended an alum treatment as a primary method for reducing internal phosphorus loading. Alum (aluminum sulfate) is a commonly used nutrient inactivation product that controls the internal recycling of phosphorus from the sediments of the lake bottom. On contact with water, the alum binds with the phosphorus so it can no longer be used as food by algae. On the bottom of the lake, the alum creates a barrier that prevents the phosphorus from releasing into the lake’s sediments under anoxia.

In addition, recommendations were made to address phosphorous loading from the larger agricultural watershed. These recommendations lead to the formation a Watershed Sub-Committee, which has been monitoring water quality and identifying nutrient-loading "hot spots." As these areas are discovered, the community will work with local stakeholders to recommend watershed best management practices (BMPs) to reduce phosphorus and sediment loading at the source.

Biomanipulation

The diagnostic/feasibility study revealed a major change in Lake Latonka from a previous fishery study conducted in 2016: the establishment of gizzard shad. The gizzard shad, not found in any previous surveys, represented 29% of the total catch in the 2020 survey. These fish can, if present in significant densities, outcompete beneficial fish and aquatic species and alter the zooplankton population, which can lead to water quality impairment, HABs, and cyanobacteria.

Biomanipulation in lake management refers to the deliberate alteration of the lake’s ecosystem by adding or removing species. One of the main recommendations for Lake Latonka is to control the gizzard shad population by stocking the lake with hybrid striped bass (Morone saxatilis x Morone chrysops), which is a cross between striped bass and white bass that are not able to reproduce. The plan includes measures to bolster the walleye, largemouth bass, black crappie, and panfish populations to offer a robust recreational fishery. This "top down" approach to nutrient management serves as a complementary effort to the aforementioned phosphorus loading mitigation activities.

Management of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

[caption id="attachment_10336" align="alignright" width="273"]

Photo by Lynne Annis[/caption]

As phosphorus is reduced and water quality conditions improve, algae will diminish in abundance and water clarity will improve, and the shallow areas of the lake will become excellent habitat for increased growth of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV).

SAV is a critical component of a healthy lake and important habitat for juvenile fish and invertebrates. Additionally, SAV serves to precipitate suspended solids and assimilates nutrients that may otherwise be taken up by algae for growth. Still, elevated levels of SAV may prove to hinder recreational use of the lake.

The Plan for Lake Latonka recommends regular SAV surveys in order to monitor densities, document species composition, and ensure proper management. As SAV increases, pragmatic, measured management will be recommended to maintain an optimal balance of plant growth while allowing for recreational lake access.

Waterfowl Management

Resident populations of Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) contribute acute sources of nitrogen, phosphorus, and bacteria to lakes via waste products.

Using loading coefficients derived from scientific literature, in combination with Canada geese population surveys, the team determined the approximate phosphorus load being contributed by the resident goose population each year is 88.6 lbs per year.

The Plan recommends a variety of deterrent/harassment actions as permitted through Federal and State agencies in order to minimize the resident population of these waterfowl.

Regular Water Quality Monitoring and Testing

The Management Plan also provided recommendations for routine water quality monitoring related to nutrient concentrations, algal types and densities, and safety for lake users. Lake monitoring helps track changes in water quality over time and is utilized to objectively assess the impacts of prescribed management measures. In this manner, monitoring can help to address potential issues before they become large problems.

Specifically, Princeton Hydro recommended growing season monitoring, which entails monitoring for five months each year, in order to build a lake water quality database for nutrients, in-situ measures, and plankton. Additionally, the team recommends robust contact testing at the beach and open water for E. coli sampling, fecal coliform, and cyanotoxins.

[caption id="attachment_10339" align="aligncenter" width="793"]

Photo by Jim Janzig[/caption] Simply put, there is more to lake management than weed and algae treatments alone. A customized plan acts as a “blueprint” that guides proactive, long-term lake management and care while remaining flexible enough to adapt to new challenges that may arise. Our scientists, engineers, and Certified Lake Managers can assess the status of a waterbody and provide a holistic management plan that is based on the waterbody's unique physical, hydrologic, chemical, and biological attributes. A management plan identifies water quality issues, determines the causes of those issues, and provides the guidance needed to correct the issues. The results are far more environmentally sustainable than simple (and often unnecessary) reactive weed and algae treatments. During the Pennsylvania Lake Management Society Annual Conference held on March 2 & 3, Senior Aquatic Ecologist Michael Hartshorne gave a presentation about the the creation and implementation of the Lake Latonka Management Plan:

If you're interested in reading more on the topic of lake management, click here: [visual-link-preview encoded="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"] [post_title] => Reducing HABs & Increasing Biodiversity in Lake Latonka [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => lake-latonka-management-plan [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-11-07 14:54:20 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-11-07 14:54:20 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?p=10283 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [4] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 9891 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2021-11-24 08:48:53 [post_date_gmt] => 2021-11-24 08:48:53 [post_content] =>

Over the past year, the Deal Lake Commission (DLC) has implemented a variety of stormwater management projects aimed at reducing the volume of stormwater runoff, decreasing total phosphorus loading, and preventing debris, sediment, and pollutants from flowing into waterbodies throughout the Deal Lake, Wesley Lake, and Sunset Lake Watersheds.

These projects encompass a strategic combination of stormwater best management practices (BMPs), including structural BMPs, non-structural controls, and green infrastructure techniques. These stormwater management projects were funded by a Clean Water Act Section 319(h) grant awarded by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to the DLC.

Let’s take a look at some of the recently completed initiatives:

Manufactured Treatment Devices

Manufactured Treatment Devices (MTDs) are pre-fabricated stormwater treatment structures used to address stormwater issues in highly developed, urban areas. MTDs capture and remove sediments, metals, hydrocarbons, and other pollutants from stormwater runoff before the runoff reaches surrounding waterbodies and/or storm sewer systems.

This year, Princeton Hydro worked with the DLC and Leon S. Avakian Engineers to design and install three MTDs throughout Asbury Park, NJ with the purpose of improving water quality in Sunset Lake.

[gallery columns="2" ids="9896,9897,9894,9895"]

Students from the Asbury Park High School Engineering Academy, led by their teacher Kevin Gould, were invited to observe one of the MTD installations. The educational field trip was combined with a presentation from Princeton Hydro’s Senior Aquatic Ecologist Dr. Jack Szczepanski, which was titled, “Ecology and Engineering in Asbury Park.”

Click below to watch one of the recent MTD installations: [visual-link-preview encoded="eyJ0eXBlIjoiZXh0ZXJuYWwiLCJwb3N0IjowLCJwb3N0X2xhYmVsIjoiIiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9mYi53YXRjaC85akFMUm01M1g1LyIsImltYWdlX2lkIjo5ODk1LCJpbWFnZV91cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3ByaW5jZXRvbmh5ZHJvLmNvbS93cC1jb250ZW50L3VwbG9hZHMvMjAyMS8xMS9ETEMtTVRELTIwMjEuanBnIiwidGl0bGUiOiJEZWFsIExha2UgQ29tbWlzc2lvbiBvbiBGYWNlYm9vayBXYXRjaCIsInN1bW1hcnkiOiJNYW51ZmFjdHVyZWQgVHJlYXRtZW50IERldmljZSBpbnN0YWxsIGF0IDV0aCBhbmQgZ3JhbmQgdG9kYXkuIDQxLDAwMCBwb3VuZHMgb2YgaXQuIEZvciBpbmZvIFNlZSB0aGlzIGxpbmsuIGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnlvdXR1YmUuY29tL3dhdGNoP3Y9Ui1DMUd4bXR4MEkiLCJ0ZW1wbGF0ZSI6InNpbXBsZSJ9"]

Rain Garden Renovation

Rain gardens are a cost effective, attractive, and sustainable way to minimize stormwater runoff and filter out pollutants. This aesthetic, low-maintenance addition to any outdoor landscape creates a functioning habitat that attracts pollinators, beneficial insects, and birds. And, in a small way, it helps reduce erosion, promote groundwater recharge, and minimize flooding.

The DLC along with the Deal Lake Watershed Alliance, Asbury Park's Environmental Shade Tree Commission (ESTC), Asbury Park Department of Public Works (DPW) and Princeton Hydro completed a major renovation to an existing rain garden located in front of the Asbury Park bus terminal and municipal building.

The rain garden, which was originally constructed by the ESTC, was not functioning properly due to one of the inlets being completely obstructed by sediment. The DPW helped clear the sediment and regrade it, while the ESTC removed invasive weeds and replanted it with native shrubs, perennials, and flowers.

For more information about rain gardens and instructions on how to build your own, check out our recent blog: [visual-link-preview encoded="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"]

Floating Wetland Islands

Floating Wetland Islands (FWIs) are a low-cost, effective green infrastructure solution used to mitigate phosphorus and nitrogen stormwater pollution. FWIs are designed to mimic natural wetlands in a sustainable, efficient, and powerful way. They improve water quality by assimilating and removing excess nutrients that could fuel harmful algae blooms; provide valuable ecological habitat for a variety of beneficial species; help mitigate wave and wind erosion impacts; provide an aesthetic element; and add significant biodiversity enhancement within open freshwater environments.

The DLC worked with Princeton Hydro to design and install a total of 12 floating wetland islands, six in Sunset Lake and six in Wesley Lake. A team of volunteers, led by the DLC and Princeton Hydro, planted vegetation in each of the FWIs and launched and secured each island into the lakes.

[gallery link="none" columns="2" ids="8942,8945,8936,8935"]

Clean Water Act Section 319(h) grant related efforts will continue in the Spring of 2022 with the design and installation of “bioscape” gardens and tree boxes. Stay tuned for updates!

...

To learn more about the Deal Lake Commission, click here. To read about one of Princeton Hydro’s recently completed stormwater management projects, click here.

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This article was originally published in the Musconetcong Watershed Association's "Instream Update" eNewsletter.

The Musconetcong River begins at New Jersey’s largest lake, Lake Hopatcong, and flows southwest for 42 miles before emptying into the Delaware River. At the headwaters in Lake Hopatcong, the community has been battling with harmful algal blooms (HABs). HABs can cause significant water quality issues in lakes and ponds, often forming a visible and sometimes odorous scum on the surface of the water. Blooms are primarily caused by warmer temperatures and increased amounts of nutrients (i.e., nitrogen and phosphorus) from stormwater runoff.

In 2019, the local community suffered immensely from HABs, which was the most prolific bloom the lake has experienced over the last two decades, resulting in public health advisories to be issued for recreation on the lake. Because Lake Hopatcong is a popular summer vacation destination, this outbreak unfortunately stunted the local economy, restricted recreational usage of the lake, and impacted fish and wildlife.

The Lake Hopatcong Commission and Lake Hopatcong Foundation, in partnership with municipalities, counties, the state, local groups like the Musconetcong Watershed Association, and Princeton Hydro, have been working to improve water quality for years by prioritizing stormwater mitigation and septic management policies within the watershed. So why was the summer of 2019 so intense?

Analysis of 30 Years Water Quality Data

Princeton Hydro scientists have been collecting water quality data in Lake Hopatcong for 30 years. This includes dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature, as well as concentrations of total suspended solids, total phosphorus, nitrate‐N, ammonia‐N and chlorophyll a, and various biological factors. There are not many lakes in New Jersey that have such a robust and consistent public dataset, which presents a rare opportunity to study long-term trends. We dove a little deeper into this information to see what many have caused the 2019 blooms.

We analyzed a statistically significant dataset of surface water temperatures and found that average July surface temperatures in Lake Hopatcong have been steadily increasing over time. We also have 20+ years of observational data that documents an increase in frequency, duration, and magnitude of HABs over the same time period. In fact, HABs have recently persisted all the way into the winter months, enabling “green ice” to form on the lake surface, as observed in December 2020.

In summer of 2019, the Lake Hopatcong region was hit with a dramatic amount of rainfall. These weather patterns resulted in some of the highest early summer total phosphorus (TP) concentrations in Lake Hopatcong in over 20 years. The mean June TP concentration was 0.043 mg/L; the last time it exceeded 0.04 mg/L was in 1999. In order to have acceptable water quality conditions in the lake, the mean TP concentrations should be at 0.03 mg/L or lower.

It has been well documented that phosphorus is the primary limiting nutrient in Lake Hopatcong. Meaning, a slight increase in phosphorus can result in a substantial increase in algal and/or aquatic plant biomass. The water quality analysis identified the cause for the HABs (the high frequency of storms in June 2019 transporting nutrients, in particular phosphorus, to the lake) and identified why they persisted over the growing season (internal phosphorus loading).

Climate Change as a Driver for HABs

Climate change is leading to more frequent, more intense rainstorms that transport run-off pollutants into waterways, coupled with hotter days to warm the water. The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, “AR6 Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis,” confirmed that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean, and land, and that this human-induced climate change is already affecting many weather and climate extremes in every region across the globe. It predicts, “increases in the frequency and intensity of hot extremes, marine heatwaves, and heavy precipitation, agricultural and ecological droughts in some regions, and proportion of intense tropical cyclones, as well as reductions in Arctic sea ice, snow cover and permafrost.” In the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S., most climate models indicate that the landscape will become warmer and wetter.

Looking at our observations and 30-year dataset for Lake Hopatcong, our preliminary analysis shows that climate change — increased precipitation (which flushed the phosphorus into the lake) followed by intense heat to warm surface water temperatures — was a significant variable that led to the devastating HABs at Lake Hopatcong in 2019.

Other communities have experienced similar trends too. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, HABs have now been observed in all 50 states, ranging from large freshwater lakes, to smaller inland lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. Our neighbors in Upstate New York suffered from 1,000+ HAB occurrences during the 2019 season, including a HAB that covered 600+ square miles of Lake Erie causing beach closures and fish kills.

A study recently published in Nature journal reviewed three decades of high-resolution satellite data for 71 large lakes globally and determined that “peak summertime bloom intensity has increased in most (68%) of the lakes studied, revealing a global exacerbation of bloom conditions.” The study called for water quality management efforts to better account for the interactions between climate change and local hydrological conditions.

We are witnessing these impacts firsthand at Lake Hopatcong and within the Musconetcong River Watershed. And, according to the IPCC report, these climate change-induced instances (i.e. intense rainfall followed by intense heat) may become even more frequent. To further understand the connection between climate change and HABs at Lake Hopatcong, Princeton Hydro is conducting a more rigorous study that includes more distinct data. We hope this will provide some insight on how to manage expected climate impacts in lakes and watersheds.

Taking Action in the Musconetcong River Watershed

While the IPCC report conclusions may be depressing, there is still much we can do at both a global and local level to limit future climate change. The key here is limiting cumulative CO2 (carbon dioxide) and CH4 (methane) emissions and quickly reaching (at least) net zero CO2 emissions. And, to specifically reduce occurrences of HABs While the IPCC report conclusions may be depressing, there is still much we can do at both a global and local level to limit future climate change. The key here is globally limiting cumulative CO2 (carbon dioxide) and CH4 (methane) emissions and quickly reaching (at least) net zero CO2 emissions. And, to specifically reduce occurrences of HABs fueled by climate change in Lake Hopatcong, eliminating sources of phosphorus from entering the lake is critical. So what can we do in the Musconetcong River Watershed?

In 2019, NJ Department of Environmental Protection committed $13.5 million via their Water Quality Restoration Grant programs for local projects that aim to improve water quality in New Jersey’s lakes and ponds. The Lake Hopatcong Commission landed a $500k grant via the program to evaluate and implement a variety of innovative, nearshore projects at Lake Hopatcong. Projects included performing an alternative non-copper-based algaecide treatment and one of the largest nutrient PhosLock treatments in the Northeast on the lake as well as the installation of Biochar bags, near-shore aeration systems, and floating wetland islands.

This could not be possible without the help of all project partners including Lake Hopatcong Foundation, Morris County, Sussex County, Jefferson Township, Borough of Hopatcong, Borough of Mt. Arlington, and Roxbury Township, who collectively contributed over $330k in match support. The Lake Hopatcong Commission also landed a subsequent $206,000 grant via NJDEP’s 319 program a few months later, with $44,000 in match support from the four municipalities and Lake Hopatcong Foundation and Commission, for the design and implementation of four in-lake/watershed projects to protect Lake Hopatcong's water quality.

[gallery link="none" ids="9848,9870,9148"]

The results of these projects were significant. Over the last two years, the mean June TP concentrations were lower than 2019 (0.033 mg/L in 2020 and 0.020 mg/L in 2021). These in-lake and watershed efforts have had a positive impact on reducing available phosphorus.

Just this month, Lake Hopatcong Commission landed another $480k from a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund grant, which was backed with $489k more in match support from Lake Hopatcong Commission, Lake Hopatcong Foundation, Musconetcong Watershed Association, NJDEP, Borough of Hopatcong, Township of Roxbury, Mount Arlington Borough, Morris and Sussex Counties, Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum, Rutgers University, NJ Highlands Council, and Princeton Hydro. The project team will design and implement three streambank stabilization projects in the watershed, which were identified as priority projects in the 2021 Upper Musconetcong River Watershed Implementation Plan.

“Managing loads of phosphorous in watersheds is even more important as the East Coast becomes increasingly warmer and wetter thanks to climate change. Climate change will likely need to be dealt with on a national and international scale. But local communities, groups, and individuals can have a real impact in reducing phosphorous levels in local waters.”
Dr. Fred Lubnow, Director of Aquatics for Princeton Hydro

To read the full article in the Musconetcong Watershed Association's "Instream Update" eNewsletter, click here.

The Musconetcong Watershed Association 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. Since 2003, Princeton Hydro has been working with MWA in the areas of river restoration, dam removal, and engineering consulting. Click here to read our Client Spotlight blog featuring MWA’s Executive Director Cindy Joerger and Communications Coordinator Karen Doerfer.

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Volunteers recently came together in Asbury Park, New Jersey to install floating wetland islands (FWIs) in Wesley Lake and Sunset Lake. The initiative, led by the Deal Lake Commission and Princeton Hydro, brought together dozens of volunteers to install a total of 12 FWIs, six in each lake.

[gallery link="none" ids="8935,8936,8934"]

Photos by Donald Brockel

FWIs are a low-cost, effective green infrastructure solution used to mitigate phosphorus and nitrogen stormwater pollution. FWIs are designed to mimic natural wetlands in a sustainable, efficient, and powerful way. They improve water quality by assimilating and removing excess nutrients that could fuel harmful algae blooms; provide valuable ecological habitat for a variety of beneficial species; help mitigate wave and wind erosion impacts; provide an aesthetic element; and add significant biodiversity enhancement within open freshwater environments.

Volunteers install plants in one of the six floating wetland islands launched in Wesley Lake:

The Deal Lake Commission acquired the 12 FWIs through a Clean Water Act Section 319(h) grant awarded by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. During the volunteer event, participants helped plant vegetation in each of the FWIs, and launch and secure each island into the lakes.

We collected so many great photos during the event. Here are some highlights:

[gallery link="none" columns="2" ids="8950,8939,8943,8942,8946,8944,8945,8954,8941,8923"]

NBC New York’s Brian Thompson stopped by to lend a hand and captured footage of the floating wetland island launch. Click here to watch!

To learn more about Floating Wetland Islands, check out the recent Native Plants, Healthy Planet Podcast, which featured Dr. Jack Szczepanski, CBLP, Princeton Hydro Senior Aquatic Ecologist.

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Most of us are familiar with the famous quote "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” This sentiment is at the center point of the Highlands Act and Regional Master Plan, which provides funding to help New Jersey’s Highlands communities take a proactive and regional approach to watershed protection.

Historically, private lake associations and municipalities have worked autonomously to address water quality issues and develop improvement plans. Working together, however, and taking a regional approach to lake and watershed management has much farther-reaching benefits. Taking an integrated approach helps improve water quality and reduce incidents of aquatic invasive species and harmful algal blooms (HABs) not just in one waterbody, but throughout an entire region.

The New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council (Highlands Council) is a regional planning agency that works in partnership with municipalities and counties in the Highlands Region of northern New Jersey to encourage exactly such an approach. Created as part of the 2004 New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act (the Highlands Act), the Highlands Council has funded numerous water-quality-related planning grants throughout the region.

“Watersheds are inherently regional; they don’t follow municipal boundaries. So the Highlands Council is in a unique position to address these challenges from that perspective,” says Keri Green, Highlands Council Science Manager. “It’s critical for municipalities to understand what is entering their lakes from the surrounding watershed before they can effectively address in-lake issues. Across the region, the stormwater inlets and roadways that encircle and affect lakes are owned and maintained by the municipalities, and when we can evaluate these inputs, we can plan for how to address impairments.”

In 2019, the Highlands Council funded a Lake Management planning grant for the Borough of Ringwood that adopted this wider watershed view, and would ultimately become a model for similar Highlands Council grants within the region. The Borough chose to engage the services of Princeton Hydro to support the project work.

“This regional approach to lake and watershed management is the obvious choice from a scientific, technical, and community point of view. Historically, however, this approach is rarely taken,” said Princeton Hydro’s Senior Project Manager, Christopher Mikolajczyk, who is a Certified Lake Manager and lead designer for this initiative. “We were thrilled to work with the Borough of Ringwood and the Highlands Council to set a precedent, which has opened the door for the Townships of West Milford and Rockaway, and will hopefully inspire the formation of more public-private lake management partnerships.”

Rockaway Receives Lake Management Planning Grant from the Highlands Council

Rockaway Township in Morris County, New Jersey received Highlands Council grant approval in January to complete a Lake Management Planning Study. Eleven small- to medium-sized lakes in the township are working together for a watershed assessment and comprehensive regional analysis, which will lead to the creation of a Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP). The WIP will recommend and prioritize key watershed management measures that will have big impacts on water quality improvement.

Given the large number of lakes in Rockaway Township, and in an effort to keep the study to a reasonable scope, a selection process occurred with input from the Township Engineering office, the Township Health Department, Princeton Hydro and the Highlands Council. The lakes in the Rockaway Township Watershed Management Program include Green Pond, Egbert Lake, Durham Pond, Lake Emma, Camp Lewis Lake, Lake Telemark, Lake Ames, Mount Hope Pond, Mount Hope Lake, White Meadow Lake, and Fox’s Pond.

“Rockaway Township has been proactive about implementing watershed improvement projects in the past, so we were happy to provide funding to support continuing their efforts focusing on these 11 lakes,” explains Lisa Plevin, Highlands Council Executive Director. “It was a very productive collaboration with Highlands staff working in partnership with the Township to develop an approach and Princeton Hydro preparing a scope of work that met everyone’s goals.”

The watershed assessment will entail a number of analyses, including watershed modeling; hydrologic and pollutant loading analysis; watershed-based and in-lake water quality assessments; and tropic state assessments. The assessment aims to:

Identify, quantify and prioritize the watershed-based factors which may cause eutrophication;
Identify the watershed management measures needed to address general causes of water quality impairments;
Identify the relative cost of the recommended general watershed management measures; and
Generate a general schedule, based on priority, for the implementation of the recommended watershed management measures.

Once all the lab data is processed, the watershed modeling is complete, and historical data reviewed, Princeton Hydro will create a General Assessment Report that will summarize the data/observations and identify which watershed management techniques and measures are best suited for immediate or long-term implementation. The team expects to complete the General Assessment Report in the spring of 2022, after a year's worth of 2021 growing season data has been collected.

A Watershed Management Program is Underway in West Milford

In October 2020, the Highlands Council approved funding to support a watershed assessment of 22 private and public lakes in West Milford Township. The watershed assessment project is being implemented in two phases:

For Phase 1, which will take place throughout the course of 2021, Princeton Hydro will provide a historic data review; an examination of hydrologic/pollutant loads; a pollutant removal analysis; and watershed water quality analysis. The pollutants to be modeled include phosphorus, nitrogen, sediment, and bacteria, while the hydrology will include estimates of precipitation, runoff, evapotranspiration, groundwater flux, and ultimately streamflow or discharge.

This analysis will aid the Township in selecting, prioritizing and implementing nutrient and sediment load and stormwater management efforts with a focus on watershed projects that have the greatest overall benefit to the long-term management of surface water quality. The report will also identify examples of site-specific locations where wetland buffers, riparian buffers, and lakefront aqua-scaping can be implemented as part of future watershed management efforts.

For Phase 2 of the project, Princeton Hydro will investigate and assess the water quality of each of the lakes in West Milford Township during the growing season of May - October of 2022. This entails collecting bimonthly water quality samples at each lake, including in-situ water quality data consisting of real-time measurement of clarity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and pH. The sampling events will also include a general survey of aquatic vegetation and/or algae growth, lake perimeter shoreline observations, and monitoring for nuisance waterfowl. These surveys will provide an objective understanding of the amount and distribution of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and algae occurring throughout each lake over the course of the growing season.

The lakes included in this project are: High Crest Lake, Algonquin Waters, Lake Lookover, Kitchell Lake, Lindys Lake, Mt. Laurel Lake, Shady Lake, Wonder Lake, Mount Glen Lakes (Upper/Lower), Carpi Lake, Pinecliff Lake, Van Nostrand Lake, Upper Greenwood Lake, Post Brook Farms, Farm Crest Acres, Mt. Springs Lake, Forest Hill Park, Johns Lake, Gordon Lake, and Bubbling Springs Lake.

Leading the Way on Regional Lake Management in Ringwood, NJ

At the end of 2019, the Borough of Ringwood became the first municipality in New Jersey to take a regional approach to private lake management through a public-private partnership with four lake associations: Cupsaw, Erskine, Skyline, and Riconda.

The Borough of Ringwood is situated in the northeast corner of the New Jersey Highlands, is home to several public and private lakes, and provides drinking water to millions of New Jersey residents. In order to take an active role in the management of these natural resources, Ringwood hired Princeton Hydro to design a municipal-wide holistic watershed management plan that identifies and prioritizes watershed management techniques and measures that are best suited for immediate and long-term implementation.

Princeton Hydro recently completed a comprehensive assessment of the lakes and watersheds of Ringwood Borough. The assessment included a historical data review, hydrologic and pollutant loading analysis and in-lake and watershed based water quality data studies. The report details the results of Princeton Hydro’s mapping, modeling, and monitoring efforts in each waterbody and its respective watershed, along with specific recommendations for management implementations that are aimed at curbing the effects of nutrient and sediment loading, both within the lakes and their respective watersheds.

“Ringwood, West Milford, and Rockaway are three great examples of how people from different affiliations and backgrounds can come together to address lake and watershed monitoring and management,” said Mikolajczyk. “The key to success is open communication and a common goal!”

To learn more about Princeton Hydro’s natural resource management services, click here. And, click here to learn more about NJ Highlands Council and available grant funding.

[post_title] => Private & Public Lake Communities in NJ's Highlands Region Partner to Reduce HABs [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => regional-approach-to-lake-management-2021 [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-10-13 15:59:22 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-10-13 15:59:22 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?p=8324 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [8] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5757 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2021-01-19 17:48:32 [post_date_gmt] => 2021-01-19 17:48:32 [post_content] =>

When monitoring and managing the health of a lake or pond, dissolved oxygen is one of the most important indicators of water quality. Dissolved oxygen refers to the level of free, non-compound oxygen present in water. It is an important parameter in assessing water quality because of its influence on the organisms living within a body of water; the vast majority of aquatic life needs sufficient amounts of oxygen dissolved in water in order to survive.

Pollutants, the decomposition of invasive aquatic weed growth, and algae blooms significantly reduce dissolved oxygen. The purpose of aeration in lake management is to increase the concentrations of dissolved oxygen in the water. Aeration systems achieve these water quality improvements by helping prevent stagnation of water, increasing circulation, disrupting thermal stratification which provides “through-column” mixing, and minimizes the occurrence of harmful algal blooms (HABs).

Princeton Hydro has been working with the Lake Hopatcong Commission and Lake Hopatcong Foundation to implement several projects aimed at reducing the impacts of HABs in Lake Hopatcong, including the installation of three innovative aeration systems in different areas of the lake. Funding for these projects have come from a NJ Department of Environmental Protection Water Quality Restoration HAB grant awarded to the Commission in 2020, with additional funding and support coming from the Foundation, Morris and Sussex Counties, and four municipalities that surround Lake Hopatcong.

Air Curtain Aeration System

Our team completed the installation of an air curtain system at Shore Hills Country Club in Roxbury Township in early November 2020. The system produces a wall of bubbles that provide the kinetic energy to push and deflect away floating cyanobacteria and other toxins trying to enter the waterway. Installed near the shoreline, the air curtain increases the movement of the water, making it more difficult for floating debris, pollutants, and HABs to accumulate near the shore and in nearby shallow water areas.

Nanobubble Aeration System

Nanobubbles are extremely small gas bubbles that have several unique physical properties that make them very different from normal bubbles. Nanobubble aerators directly saturate the water with significantly more oxygen than traditional water aeration systems. These systems produce ultra-fine bubbles that are nearly invisible to the human eye. Unlike “traditional” aeration systems that push air bubbles to the surface in order to circulate the water and increase the dissolved oxygen levels, nanobubbles are so small that they remain within the water column for an extended period of time, directly oxygenating the water. Our team is scheduled to complete a nanobubble system install for Lake Hopatcong in the Spring of 2021.

Nanobubble Aeration System with Ozone

At Lake Hopatcong’s Lake Forest Yacht Club in Jefferson Township, our team installed a Nanobubble System with Ozone, which was completed in November 2020. This system generates ultrafine microbubbles (nanobubbles) containing ozone, which is used to disinfect water supplies and works to break down organic material in the water. These nanobubbles harness the unique biocidal power of ozone and place it into a safe delivery mechanism that is highly effective but also ensures human and environmental safety. The resulting ozone nanobubbles eliminate a wide range of polluting chemicals as well as herbicides, pesticides, and microbial toxins, which are all known causes of HABs.

The nanobubble technology is a relatively new strategy for preventing cyanobacteria blooms. Evaluation of the air curtain and both nanobubble systems in controlling and minimizing HABs in Lake Hopatcong will begin in Spring 2021. Our team will closely monitor the effectiveness throughout the 2021 season and provide detailed reports of our findings. Stay tuned for more info!

Increasing the dissolved oxygen levels in a pond or lake provides many benefits including improved water quality, healthier fish and plants, more efficient filtration, and reduced nuisance algae growth. To learn more about Princeton Hydro's collaborative efforts to protect our valuable water resources, click here.

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Sedimentation in Children’s Pond, which is located in Strawbridge Lake park, was negatively impacting the water quality Strawbridge Lake. In order to restore the pond and reduce impacts to Strawbridge Lake, the Moorestown Township Council awarded contracts to Princeton Hydro for the dredging and cleanup of the Children's Pond.

Strawbridge Lake is located in Moorestown Township in Burlington County, New Jersey with portions of the watershed also extending into Mount Laurel and Evesham Townships. This 33-acre, tri-basin lake is a result of the impoundment of the confluence of Hooten Creek and the North Branch of the Pennsauken Creek that dates back to the 1920s.

The lake receives surface runoff through Hooten Creek to the Upper and Middle Basins and the Lower Basin receives runoff from the headwaters of the North Branch of Pennsauken Creek. The lake then discharges back into another section of the North Branch Pennsauken Creek, which then flows into the Delaware River.

The watershed area that drains into the Strawbridge Lake is made up of an intricate mix of land uses: agriculture, new and mature residential subdivisions, office parks, major highways, retail stores, and large industrial complexes. The lake and the park area that surrounds it are heavily used for a variety of recreational activities.

Children’s Pond, which is located in Strawbridge Lake Park, is a popular fishing spot in the community. The pond initially functions as a wetland and drains from the northern portion of the watershed. Sedimentation—the naturally occurring process of the deposition and accumulation of both organic and inorganic matter in the bottom and/or banks of waterbodies—had significantly reduced the mean pond depth, thereby reducing the pond’s aesthetic appeal, impairing the fishery, contributing to eutrophication, and impacting the water quality of Strawbridge Lake. Sedimentation can also lead to contamination that poses a threat to aquatic plant and wildlife.

The dredging of Children’s Pond was identified by Princeton Hydro's Lake and Watershed Management Plan and presented to the Moorestown Township Council’s environmental committee as one of a number of immediate actions needed in order to restore the pond, preserve the health of the watershed, and reduce impacts to Strawbridge Lake. Dredging, often used as an efficient solution for sediment removal, can expeditiously restore the waterway to its original depth and condition while also removing dead vegetation, pollutants, excess nutrients, and trash that may have accumulated.

Moorestown Township Council awarded contracts to Princeton Hydro for the dredging and cleanup of the Children's Pond, which was an important part of the previously mentioned Watershed Management Plan for Strawbridge Lake.

Before the dredging could begin, a variety of surveys, field investigations, and data collection activities took place at the project site. A bathymetric survey is a critical component of any dredging project because it measures the depth of a waterbody, as well as maps the underwater features of a waterbody.

Due to the small area and shallow depths of Children’s Pond, the survey was conducted using a calibrated sounding rod and a Trimble GPS unit. The calibrated sounding rod was lowered into the water until it reached the top of the accumulated sediment. The location of the sample point and the water depth was then recorded with the GPS unit. Next, the pole was pushed down into the sediment until the point of refusal, and the bottom of sediment elevation was also recorded with the GPS unit. Data was collected from shoreline to shoreline at 25-foot transect intervals.

The data collected via the bathymetric survey, as well as the site survey, field investigations, and soil analysis, was used to shape the project’s engineering design and construction plans.

With the data collection process complete, Princeton Hydro was able to finalize the engineering plans and obtain all necessary permits for the project. Once the project commenced, Princeton Hydro oversaw the construction process and documented the project's progress through Daily Field Reports (DFRs).

DFRs act as a living record of the project and provide the project’s key stakeholders with full details of the team's daily performance and productivity, including arrival and departure times, the weather and temperature, equipment utilized on-site that day, a description of the work completed, and photographs of the work in progress.

This photo from the DFR on March 2, 2020 documents the beginning of excavation work in Children’s Pond:

This photo from the DFR on April 16, 2020 shows grading being completed on the west side of Children’s Pond:

This photo from the DFR on April 20, 2020 documents the continuation (and near completion) of the excavation and grading work:

Princeton Hydro provides construction oversight services to private, public, and nonprofit clients for a variety of ecosystem restoration, water resource, and geotechnical projects across the Northeast. For more information, go here. And, to get an inside look at all that construction oversight entails, check out our blog:

[embed]https://www.princetonhydro.com/blog/construction-oversight/[/embed]

…

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1. The Watershed Institute – Watershed-Based Planning for Assunpink Creek

2. Lake Hopatcong Commission – Watershed-Based Stormwater BMPs

3. Cozy Lake, Jefferson Township – Addressing Emerging Contaminants

4. Rockaway Township – Watershed-Based Green Infrastructure

5. Green Trust Alliance – Green Infrastructure and Community Engagement

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Home Blog

Tag: stormwater management

Posted on November 06, 2025 by Princeton Hydro

1. The Watershed Institute – Watershed-Based Planning for Assunpink Creek

2. Lake Hopatcong Commission – Watershed-Based Stormwater BMPs

3. Cozy Lake, Jefferson Township – Addressing Emerging Contaminants

4. Rockaway Township – Watershed-Based Green Infrastructure

5. Green Trust Alliance – Green Infrastructure and Community Engagement

Q: Rebecca, can you provide an overview of the Town of Mina and the core values the Town prioritizes?

A:

Q: Ed, can you tell us about the history of FLWF and how it evolved into the organization it is today?

A:

Q: Ed, what are the core values that guide FLWF, and which current projects highlight those values in action?

A:

Q: Rebecca, what are some of the initiatives the Town of Mina is leading to support ecological uplift, water quality improvements, and environmental stewardship?

A:

Q: Ed, reflecting on past collaborations, can you highlight a project or two that FLWF has worked on with Princeton Hydro?

A:

Q: Rebecca, is there anything you'd like to add about the Town’s collaboration with Princeton Hydro?

A:

Q: Ed, for those interested in supporting FLWF’s mission, how can individuals get involved and contribute to your efforts?

A:

To close out the conversation, we asked Rebecca and Ed if there was anything else they’d like to share.

Historical Management of Harveys Lake

Innovative Solutions for Stormwater Nutrient Reduction

Measuring Success: Sampling, Monitoring, & Key Findings

Monitoring Set-Up

Data Analysis & Pollutant Load Modeling

Key Findings

Engaging the Community & Enriching the Landscape

A Scalable, Shareable Solution

Phosphorus Loading Mitigation

Biomanipulation

Management of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

Waterfowl Management

Regular Water Quality Monitoring and Testing

Manufactured Treatment Devices

Rain Garden Renovation

Floating Wetland Islands

This article was originally published in the Musconetcong Watershed Association's "Instream Update" eNewsletter.

Analysis of 30 Years Water Quality Data

Climate Change as a Driver for HABs

Taking Action in the Musconetcong River Watershed

Rockaway Receives Lake Management Planning Grant from the Highlands Council

A Watershed Management Program is Underway in West Milford

Leading the Way on Regional Lake Management in Ringwood, NJ

Air Curtain Aeration System

Nanobubble Aeration System

Nanobubble Aeration System with Ozone

1. The Watershed Institute – Watershed-Based Planning for Assunpink Creek

2. Lake Hopatcong Commission – Watershed-Based Stormwater BMPs

3. Cozy Lake, Jefferson Township – Addressing Emerging Contaminants

4. Rockaway Township – Watershed-Based Green Infrastructure

5. Green Trust Alliance – Green Infrastructure and Community Engagement

Tag: stormwater management

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