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We're pleased to announce the release of the "New Jersey Nature-Based Solutions: Planning, Implementation, and Monitoring Reference Guide," a free resource that provides a comprehensive roadmap to incorporating nature-based solutions (NBS) into infrastructure, construction, restoration, and resilience projects across the state.

Created by the Rutgers University New Jersey Climate Change Resource Center with support from The Nature Conservancy in New Jersey, the guide compiles current research, case studies, best practices, practical tools, science-based strategies, and funding resources to "inform and empower readers to implement and seek funding for NBS."

Click here to view and download the guide now.


Inside the Guide

As the guide states, "nature-based solutions (NBS) are defined as actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously benefiting people and nature." (IUCN 2024)

Whether you're a municipal planner, community leader, contractor, public- or private-sector professional, or an academic, new to NBS or experienced in large-scale restoration projects, the guide offers value at every level with practical instruction that spans the full project lifecycle, from planning and permitting to funding and long-term monitoring. While the content is tailored to New Jersey's diverse landscapes, the guide's insights and approaches are broadly applicable to regions with similar ecosystems, from Massachusetts to Virginia.

The guide equips readers with:
  • A foundational understanding of how to plan and apply NBS in a variety of settings, from urban spaces to coastal habitats to inland farmland.
  • An introduction to cost-benefit analysis, including the basics of benefit transfer methodology and its role in justifying funding proposals.
  • A comprehensive toolbox, including policy and permitting guidance, project examples, datasets, and funding and monitoring resources.
  • In-depth profiles of five NBS categories: Bioretention Systems, Coastal Habitats, Regenerative Land Management, Stream Restoration, and Urban Forestry. Each category includes specific techniques like dam removal, living shorelines, and rain gardens.
 

The guide also includes insights on how to address equity considerations and foster meaningful community engagement, helping users implement NBS that are both impactful and inclusive.

Princeton Hydro was proud to contribute technical expertise to this important effort. Our Director of Restoration & Resilience, Christiana L. Pollack, CERP, CFM, GISP, participated on the guide's steering committee, and our team provided informational resources, including content and case studies on invasive species management, wetland and floodplain enhancement, and dam and culvert removal to restore rivers and improve fish passage. These contributions along with those from many other participants, reflect the collaborative nature of the guide and the collective commitment to advancing NBS across the state.

[gallery link="none" columns="2" size="large" ids="18015,18014"]

Sections at a Glance

The guide's easy-to-follow format includes four key sections:

  • Section 1: Setting the Stage - Introduces the purpose of the guide, its intended users, and how to easily navigate its contents.
  • Section 2: Planning for Nature-Based Solutions - Covers essential planning considerations, including selecting a planning horizon, aligning with local land use plans, permitting, funding, community engagement, equity, adaptive management, benefit-cost analysis, and climate change resilience.
  • Section 3: Nature-Based Solutions Profiles - Provides a detailed look at NBS strategies, including their intended uses, implementation techniques, primary benefits and co-benefits, and the specific environmental hazards they help address (i.e., sea level rise, wildfire, inland flooding, etc.)
  • Section 4: Appendix - Includes a project planning checklist, case studies, a glossary, references, and links to helpful resources, tools, and data.

Whether you're just beginning to conceptualize a project or deep into project implementation, this guide is an invaluable addition to your toolbox. We encourage you to explore, download, and share it widely! Click here to access the guide now.

Webinars and outreach events are currently being planned as part of a broader effort to build awareness and support the guide's use. Stay tuned for future announcements. To learn more about the Rutgers University New Jersey Climate Change Resource Center, click here. [post_title] => New Resource: A Comprehensive Guide to Nature-Based Solutions in New Jersey [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => guide-to-nature-based-solutions-in-new-jersey [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-08-07 19:28:46 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-08-07 19:28:46 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?p=18009 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [1] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 12194 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2023-04-07 15:13:19 [post_date_gmt] => 2023-04-07 15:13:19 [post_content] =>

If you've ever observed orange water in a river or stream after a dam has been removed, you may have been surprised by the strange color. This phenomenon is caused by iron oxide floc. But what exactly is iron oxide floc and how does it form?

Iron oxide, also known as rust, is a common compond found in nature. When it is dissolved in water, it takes on a reddish-brown color. Although the color can be alarming, iron oxide floc is relatively harmless and is actually a sign of the waterway returning to a more natural state.

The formation of iron oxide floc begins with the seepage of anaerobic groundwater through the embankment of a dam. The groundwater behind a dam often contains high levels of iron and is anaerobic (low in oxygen) because it is not exposed to the air and therefore does not have access to oxygen. When this anaerobic water reaches the other side of the dam and mixes with the aerobic surface water, the oxygen in the surface water reacts with the iron in the groundwater, forming iron oxide floc.

The orange color of the water is a result of the floc suspending in the water column and/or settling to the bottom of the waterway, creating a layer of orange sediment. In these situations, the iron oxide floc is only a temporary effect of the dam removal, not harmful to the environment, and will eventually be washed away by natural processes. As the waterway adjusts to its new, natural flow, the iron oxide floc will eventually disappear completely.

While the orange color may be surprising to see, it is a sign that the waterway is returning to a more natural state, leading to the water quality and habitat improvements achieved by dam removals. Removing outdated dams and restoring the natural flow of rivers has myriad benefits, including reconnecting river habitats that benefit fish and wildlife; reducing flood risk to surrounding communities; and promoting a healthier and more diverse ecosystem.

Princeton Hydro has designed, permitted, and overseen the removal of dozens of small and large dams throughout the Northeast. Click here to learn more about our dam engineering and removal services. And, if you're interested in reading about some of the dams we've removed in the Lehigh River Valley, click below:

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In October 2021, the largest stream restoration in Maryland was completed. Over 7 miles (41,000 linear feet) of Tinkers Creek and its tributaries were stabilized and restored.

The project was designed by Princeton Hydro for GV-Petro, a partnership between GreenVest and Petro Design Build Group. Working with Prince George’s County Department of the Environment and coordinating with the Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission, this full-delivery project was designed to meet the County’s Watershed Implementation Plan total maximum daily load (TMDL) requirements and its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Discharge Permit conditions.

Today, we are thrilled to report that the once highly urbanized watershed is flourishing and teeming with life:

[gallery columns="2" size="medium" link="none" ids="10632,10631"]

We used nature-based design and bioengineering techniques like riparian zone planting and live staking to prevent erosion and restore wildlife habitat.

[gallery columns="2" size="medium" ids="10635,10634"]

10,985 native trees and shrubs were planted in the riparian area, and 10,910 trees were planted as live stakes along the streambank.

[gallery columns="2" size="medium" ids="10637,10636"]

For more information about the project visit GreenVest's website and check out our blog:

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The Aquetong Creek Restoration Project is situated within the former basin of Aquetong Lake, which was a 15- acre impoundment formed in 1870 by the construction of an earthen dam on Aquetong Creek. The cold-water limestone spring, which flows at a rate of about 2,000 gallons per minute at approximately 53ºf, is known to be the largest of its kind in the 5-county Philadelphia region, and one of the largest in the state of Pennsylvania.

In 2015, the Township of Solebury commenced the restoration of Aquetong Spring Park, first with a dam breach followed by a large stream restoration, reforestation, and invasive species removal. In September, the park was officially reopened to the public following a ribbon cutting ceremony. The event featured a blessing from the Lenni-Lenape Turtle Clan, the original inhabitants of the land.

 

SITE HISTORY

Prior to European settlement, the Lenni-Lenape Tribe inhabited a village close to the spring and designated the spring “Aquetong”, meaning “at the spring among the bushes." After an outbreak of smallpox, however, the tribe abandoned the village. William Penn acquired Aquetong Spring in the early 1680’s as part of his peaceful treaty with Lenni-Lenape. The park land transferred hands many times before it was owned by Aquetong Township.

The dependability of the water flow made the Aquetong Creek an ideal location for mills. As of the early 1800’s, Aquetong Spring is known to have supplied enough water to turn two grist mills regularly throughout the year, and to have concurrently powered numerous mills including a paper mill, a fulling mill, two merchant mills, four sawmills, and an oil mill.

Around 1870, the 15-acre Aquetong Lake was created by constructing a dam at the east end of the property. This provided additional power for the local mills and a recreation area for the public. A fish hatchery was constructed at the base of the spring outfall, portions of which can still be viewed today. Shad, brook trout, and terrapin turtles were raised in the hatchery, which was available for public viewing at a cost of 25 cents per person.

Then, in 1993, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission acquired the property. A few years later, with the support of Bucks County Trout Unlimited, Solebury Township began negotiating to obtain ownership of the site. Around 1996, the State performed emergency repairs on the dam; a six-foot section of the outlet structure was removed in order to take pressure off the aging barrier. This lowered the level of the lake and added about 80 feet of wetlands to the western shoreline. However, it was recognized that a complete repair of the dam could cost over $1 million and might not be the best choice for the environment.

In 2009, after almost 15 years of negotiations, Solebury Township gained control of the property, with the goal of preserving this important natural resource. It purchased the lake and surrounding properties from the state and obtained a 25-year lease. The Township’s total costs were substantially reduced because it received a large credit in exchange for its commitment to repair the dam in the future, as well as funding from the Bucks County Natural Areas Program toward the purchase.

Following the purchase, the Township engaged in a five-year process of community outreach and consultation with environmental experts in which it considered alternatives for the Aquetong Lake dam. Choices included rebuilding the dam in its then-current form, creating a smaller lake with a cold-water bypass into Aquetong Creek, or breaching the dam and restoring a free-flowing stream. Ultimately, recognizing that the lake was a thermal reservoir which introduced warm water into Aquetong Creek and eventually into the streams and river, the Township decided to breach rather than restore the dam, and return the site to its natural state.

[caption id="attachment_10303" align="aligncenter" width="832"] The Aquetong Creek restoration site is located in Solebury Township, Bucks County, PA, and encompasses the boundaries of the former Aquetong Lake. The Lake was a 15-acre impoundment formed in 1870 by the construction of an earthen dam on Aquetong Creek. The Creek flows approximately 2.5 miles from Ingham Spring to join with the Delaware River in New Hope, PA.[/caption]  

RESTORATION WORK

The Aquetong Restoration Project got underway in 2015, and Solebury Township breached the historic mill dam in Aquetong Spring Park to convert the former lake into a natural area with a free-flowing, cold water stream capable of supporting native brook trout.

After the dam breach, areas of active erosion were observed along the mainstem and a major tributary of Aquetong Creek. The steep, eroding banks, increased the sediment load to the Creek's sensitive aquatic habitat.

As with most dam removal projects, a degree of stewardship is necessary to enhance the establishment of desirable, beneficial vegetation. Additionally, Solebury Township wanted to control invasive species in Aquetong Spring Park and replant the project area with native species.

The Township secured funding to construct riparian buffers, implement streambank stabilization measures, establish trout habitat structures within the mainstem and its tributary, control invasive species, and implement a woodland restoration plan. The project was funded by a $250,000 grant from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, with an equal match from the Township. Additional grants for the project were provided by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Solebury Township contracted Princeton Hydro to design the stabilization of the stream channel and floodplains within the former impoundment, monitor the stream and wetlands before and after implementation, and obtain the permits for the restoration of the former impoundment. Princeton Hydro team members designed the restoration of the main channel and tributary to reduce channel and bank erosion while supporting the brook trout habitat.

After gathering and reviewing the existing data for the site, Princeton Hydro conducted field investigations to inform and guide the final design including surveying cross sections and performing fluvial geomorphological assessments of the existing channel. Pebble counts were performed, cross sections were analyzed, and existing hydrological data was reviewed to inform the design. Simultaneously, an invasive species control and woodland restoration plan was developed for the park.

Data collected from the site was used to develop a geomorphically-appropriate, dynamically-stable design. The proposed channel design included excavation of impounded sediment to create stable channel dimensions, the addition of gravel, cobble, and boulder substrate where original/existing channel substrates were absent or insufficient, and the installation of large wood features to create aquatic habitat and enhance stability of channel bed and banks.

The banks and riparian corridor were vegetated with native seed, shrubs and trees to ultimately create a wooded, shaded riparian buffer. The design ultimately stabilized the streambanks with features that double as trout habitat and replanted the surrounding park with native vegetation.

The project was replanted with an incredibly diverse set of native species that included:

  • herbaceous species: swamp milkweed, blue mistflower, and butterfly weed;
  • shrub species: silky dogwood, winterberry holly, and buttonbush; and
  • tree species: red maple, american hornbeam, and pin oak.
[caption id="attachment_10301" align="aligncenter" width="763"] The forested restoration area was planted with a wide variety of native tree, herbaceous and shrub species. Shown here from top left: Canada Goldenrod, New England Aster and River Birch[/caption]  

EXPANDING THE PROJECT SCOPE

In addition to restoring the stream in the former impoundment, as a part of its Strategic Master Plan for Aquetong Spring Park, Solebury Township expanded its focus of the restoration project to include another 20 acres of forested land.

For this, Solebury developed a Woodland Restoration Plan which identified over 1,000 diseased forest trees, composed mostly of ash (Fraxinus sp.) and black walnut (Juglans nigra). It was the Township’s objective to remove the hazardous trees, re-establish a native woodland community, and establish an invasive species management program.

The trees removed as a part of this effort were repurposed for the stream restoration project and used for habitat features, stream stabilization measures, and park features (i.e. benches).

[caption id="attachment_10295" align="aligncenter" width="749"] Hazardous trees were removed and repurposed in the stream restoration construction, including the log grade control structures pictured here.[/caption]  

Princeton Hydro also provided stormwater design support for adjacent areas in Aquetong Spring Park, including multiple stormwater connections to the main tributary. After completion, Princeton Hydro provided bid assistance, developed a probable cost, drafted technical specifications, and produced a bid package to assist Aquetong Township in bringing the project to construction.

This restoration success could not have been possible without the hard work of so many dedicated project partners: Aquetong Spring Advisory Council, Bucks County Trout Unlimited, Solebury Township, Aquetong Township, Simone Collins Landscape Architects, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, PA Department of Community and Economic Development, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Lenni-Lenape Turtle Clan, and Princeton Hydro.

Princeton Hydro specializes in the planning, design, permitting, implementing, and maintenance of ecological rehabilitation projects. To learn more about our watershed restoration services, click here.  To learn about some of our award-winning restoration projects check out our blogs about the Pin Oak Forest Conservation Area freshwater wetland restoration project:

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UPDATE: THIS PROJECT WAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED IN OCTOBER 2021.

Just east of Washington D.C. in Prince George’s County, what will soon be the largest stream restoration in Maryland, is well underway. In this highly urbanized watershed, over 7 miles (41,000 linear feet) of Tinkers Creek and its tributaries, Meetinghouse Branch and Paynes Branch, will be stabilized and restored using nature-based design techniques.

The project was designed by Princeton Hydro for GV-Petro, a partnership between GreenVest and Petro Design Build Group. The project aims to prevent erosion and restore wildlife habitat using bioengineering techniques like riparian zone planting and live staking. 10,985 native trees and shrubs will be planted in the riparian area, and 10,910 trees will be planted as live stakes along the streambank. Recently, this project was expanded to include the stabilization and restoration of stormwater outfalls and headwater tributaries.

Working with Prince George’s County Department of the Environment and coordinating with the Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission, this full-delivery project is designed to meet the County’s Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) total maximum daily load (TMDL) requirements and its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Discharge Permit conditions.

[caption id="attachment_7741" align="aligncenter" width="936"] This photo, taken during a site visit in January 2021, documents the Tinkers Creek Stream Restoration progress[/caption]  

Prince George’s County borders the eastern portion of Washington, D.C and is the second-most populous county in Maryland. Tinkers Creek is located on a five-mile stretch of stream valley, from Old Branch Avenue to Temple Hills Road, in Clinton and Temple Hills, Maryland. The tributary system of Tinkers Creek is described as "flashy," meaning there is a quick rise in stream level due to rainfall as a result of its high proportion of directly connected urbanized impervious areas. Its streams have storm flow rates many times higher than that from the rural and forested sub-watersheds in the southeast.

[caption id="attachment_7890" align="aligncenter" width="360"] Unstable stormwater outlet in the Tinkers Creek Restoration area (before).[/caption]  

This stream restoration project was identified as a priority due to the significant levels of channel incision and the severity of erosion and its impacts on surrounding neighborhoods. Additionally, the project’s proximity to the headwater reaches located on Joint Base Andrews (JBA), so the ability to improve water quality and wildlife habitat made this project a high priority. It provides an important opportunity to create a safe, sustainable, and resilient stream valley in the community.

The design for the stream, and all of the tributaries within the restoration area, will restore these channels to their naturally-stable form. During the preliminary assessment of onsite conditions, the stream and tributaries within the restoration area were classified using geomorphic assessments and hydrologic and hydraulic analysis.

Once the stream types and conditions were identified, a series of restoration approaches were designed, including floodplain creation, bank stabilization using natural materials and plantings, re-aligning straightened stream channels to have a more natural sinuosity, stormwater conveyance, and natural material grade control structures. These changes will help to reduce channel flow velocities and shear stress for flows greater than bankfull; reduce bank erosion and maintain bank stability; treat and attenuate stormwater flows; stabilize outfalls and the receiving stream channels; and stabilize vertically unstable channels.

[caption id="attachment_7742" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Streambank stabilization measures in place, post construction (2019).[/caption]  

The project area contained various subsurface utilities like sanitary sewer along the entire reach and fiber-optics and natural gas lines crossing the corridor. Once constructed, the project will improve hydraulic, geomorphic, physicochemical, and biological stream functions. It will also increase floodplain connectivity, improve bedform diversity, restore riparian buffers, and protect public subsurface utilities. In addition to water quality benefits, this project will preserve and enhance the forested floodplain and provide ecological uplift throughout the entire stream corridor.

Planning and design for Tinkers Creek Stream Restoration began in early 2018 and construction is expected to finish ahead of schedule in Spring of 2022. Princeton Hydro is providing construction oversight of all critical structures, such as grade controls, headwater step-pool grade controls, bank stabilization structures, and stormwater outfalls.

The below photos, taken during a site visit in January, showcase some of the exciting progress made by the project team thus far.

[gallery link="none" columns="2" size="medium" ids="7744,7746"]

Stay tuned for more project updates!

Princeton Hydro specializes in the planning, design, permitting, implementing, and maintenance of ecological rehabilitation projects. To learn more about our watershed restoration services, click here. We have partnered with GreenVest on a number of projects, including the award-winning Pin Oak Forest Conservation Area freshwater wetland restoration project and the Mattawoman Creek Mitigation Site wetland enhancement and restoration initiative. To learn more about GreenVest, click here.

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The Resource Institute hosted its 9th Annual Mid-Atlantic Stream Restoration Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, where water resource professionals, researchers, and practitioners come together for three days to share ideas and learn about stream restoration planning, assessment, design, construction, evaluation, and other topical stream issues. The conference, which was themed Building Resilient Streams in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, included presentations, discussions, exhibits, and pre-conference workshops. Princeton Hydro participated in three presentations on a variety of topics.

Below, we provide a synopsis of each presentation:

Innovative Design and Funding Approaches for Dam Removal Projects Where an Unfunded Mandate Exists

Lead Presenter: Kirk Mantay, PWS, GreenTrust Alliance, Inc. Co-Authors: Geoffrey Goll, P.E.; Princeton Hydro President; John Roche, Maryland Department of Environment; and Brett Berkley, GreenVest.

The presentation provides a detailed look at the removal of the Martin Dam in Fallston, Maryland, and how project partners were able to drastically expand the footprint of this emergency dam removal to generate enough ecological restoration benefits to adequately fund the dam removal itself.

The Martin Dam was constructed in 1965 as part of USDA’s sustainable farms pond construction initiative, which promoted aquaculture and subsistence fish production on small farms across the region as an income source for agricultural producers. Dam-related impacts included the permanent loss of spring-fed sedge wetlands, ditching of forested floodplain wetlands, pollution from stream bank entrenchment, and thermal impacts to a wild brook trout population downstream.

Overtime, the dam structure began to degrade. With each state and local agency inspection that was conducted, the dam increased in hazard category. In 2016, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) was forced to list the dam as a, “public safety hazard at risk of immanent failure.” The landowner, unable to fund the dam removal, contacted GreenTrust Alliance (GTA), a regional green infrastructure nonprofit organization, for help.

By emphasizing the ecological benefits of restored wetlands and streams above and below the dam as well as the critical public safety hazard faced by residents and motorists downstream, GTA, in partnership with Princeton Hydro and GreenVest, was able to secure restoration funding for the site. The design and permitting was led by Princeton Hydro, and the dam was safely breached as part of restoration construction in January 2019.


Columbia Lake Dam Removal; Using Drones for Quantitative Evaluation of River Restoration

Lead Presenter: Beth Styler-Barry of The Nature Conservancy Co-Authors from Princeton Hydro: Geoffrey Goll, P.E., President; Casey Schrading, EIT, Staff Engineer; Kelly Klein, Senior Project Manager, Natural Resources; and Christiana Pollack, CFM, GISP, Senior Project Manager, Environmental Scientist.

In order to explore the use of drone or UAV technology to evaluate the effects of dam removals, the presentation showcases the Columbia Lake Dam removal, the largest dam removal in New Jersey to date.

The Columbia Lake Dam, built in 1909, was 18 feet high, 330 feet long dam, and stretched more than 1.5 miles on the Paulins Kill less than 0.25 miles upstream from its confluence with the Delaware River. As part of The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) mission to improve the quality of the Paulins Kill, removing this “first blockage” was the cornerstone of the larger mission. Princeton Hydro served as the engineer-of-record, designing and permitting this project. Dam removal activities commenced in 2018 and were finalized in 2019. Its removal opens 10 miles of river for fish migration and improves recreation access, floodplain reconnection, habitat enhancement and higher water quality.

TNC will conduct five years of monitoring, a vitally important component of this project, to determine long-term ecological uplift, short-term positive and negative effects, and to develop data to provide information for future dam removals. And, as a result of the programmable and repeatable nature of drone flight paths, such monitoring will be able to be conducted for years and decades, producing invaluable data for research and future project design.

The presentation reviews the various parameters investigated, the results and significance of the data retrieved, and recommendations for the use of drone technology for future ecosystem restoration projects.


Modeling 3D Rivers in AutoCAD to Enhance Design and Deliverables

Lead Presenter: Daniel Ketzer, PE, Princeton Hydro Senior Project Manager, River Restoration Co-Authors from Princeton Hydro: Eric Daley, Water Resources Engineer; Cory Speroff, MLA, ASLA, CBLP, Landscape Designer; and Sumantha Prasad, PE, ENV SP, Water Resource Engineer

This presentation provides an overview on how to create 3D river models based on geomorphic input to enhance the overall accuracy and quality of a river restoration project.

In river restoration, the proposed geometry of the river channel is the key part of the design. It impacts earthwork, utility conflicts, plan set layout, and many other aspects of the project. In larger projects with reaches measuring thousands of feet and greater, manual grading is extremely time consuming and tedious; and determining the entire implication of the proposed design is difficult to achieve when simply analyzing proposed cross-sections and profiles. To increase efficiency and maintain uniformity throughout the subject reach developing a 3D-surface model of the proposed restoration reduces design time and increases quality. AutoCAD Civil 3D can be used to convert the proposed profiles and cross-sections from a geomorphic design into a 3D surface of the river corridor.

The presentation goes through the key steps that need to be taken and strategic questions that need to be asked when modeling 3D rivers in AutoCAD along with important tips and reminders.


Stay tuned for our Spring Events Spotlight to learn how you can participate in upcoming environmental events! Click here to read more about Princeton Hydro’s river restoration services.

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On the Paulins Kill, the 100-year old Columbia Lake Dam has almost been completely removed, and fish passage has been restored!  Since the first cut was executed on the main dam in August, many exciting advances have been made towards restoring the Paulins Kill back to its natural state. Check out the video below, courtesy of the New Jersey Nature Conservancy Volunteer Drone Team. 

[embed]https://youtu.be/-KaBBFy-qBM?si=EmSLlqJKz5T4W2ML[/embed]

Piece by piece, the dam was notched out throughout the fall season and is now completely removed with the exception of the dam apron, the horizontal concrete structure that sits downstream of the dam, and the section of the dam that sits below the riverbed. The part of the dam in the riverbed is now being removed all the way down  to three feet under the ground. The full removal is estimated to be complete by mid-March. In mid-August, the first cut was widened to 80 feet, allowing for better management of high flows during storm events, which had been posing a challenge immediately following the first cut.

In late August, the installation of rock vanes at the Brugler Road Bridge began. Rock vanes are engineered, in-stream structures that help to stabilize a channel while enhancing aquatic habitat and movement.

The rock vanes installed at the Brugler Road Bridge site are cross vanes. Cross vanes consist of a set of boulders angled upstream on a river, with another section of smaller rocks placed upstream. The taller sections of the cross vanes deflect the streamflow away from the banks, decreasing scouring effects. Instead, the flow travels over the rock walls and concentrates down the center of the channel, creating a deep and elongated pool in the middle of the stream.  

Velocities between the notches in the rock vanes were evaluated using a velocity meter in accordance with the design specifications originally proposed. Based on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fish passage design criteria, velocities in the notches could not be greater than 8.25 feet per second. All of the velocity measurements in this rock vane were below the maximum thresholds, ensuring no blockage of fish passage is made through the vanes.

Since the removal of the dam began, vegetative growth from the natural seedbed of the upper impoundment has been observed (see photo below).

In October, scour protection installation commenced at the Warrington Road Bridge site. After the team conducted geotechnical test pits, they discovered that a concrete scour wall that slopes out to the Paulins Kill was present and deep enough to be able to install rock at the necessary depth. They also found that the existing gabions, caged baskets filled with rock or concrete often used to protect against erosion, were intact and could be left in place. The team installed four (4) feet of riprap under and around the bridge in the riverbed and tied it into the existing grade of the banks.

The original notch in the dam was lowered one foot per day starting in mid-December, reducing water surface elevations down to the apron elevation during the month of January.

To accommodate NJ Fish and Wildlife’s request for animal passage under the I-80 bridges, an area of the previously installed riprap on the northwest abutment wall was flattened out and filled in with river cobble. This path will promote wildlife movement under the bridge as opposed to through the existing tunnel.

Currently, rock vanes are being installed under the I-80 bridges specifically to enhance fish passage. These structures vary slightly from the rock vanes at the Brugler Road Bridge site, as they are designed to slow river flow, helping migrating fish travel upstream and traverse a 5-foot elevation difference in the streambed, much like a fish ladder

These rock vanes are more than halfway completed and are on track to be finished in time for fish populations to make full use of them.  The next steps are to finish the demolition of the dam and the construction of the fish passage rock vanes under the I-80 bridges, plant vegetation throughout the upper impoundment, create a recreational trail through the upper impoundment, and plan for fishing and boating access! Stay tuned for more exciting developments on this incredible project.

Thank you to our project partners: The Nature Conservancy, American Rivers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife Service.

...

Princeton Hydro has designed, permitted, and overseen the reconstruction, repair, and removal of a dozens of small and large dams in the Northeast. To learn more about our fish passage and dam removal engineering services, visitbit.ly/DamBarrier.

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At the 18th Annual Land Ethics Symposium, which is presented by Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve, Princeton Hydro and GreenVest, LLC were honored with the "2018 Land Ethics Award of Merit" for our restoration work at the Mullica River Wetland Mitigation Site.

[gallery link="none" ids="1713,1707,1710"]

We teamed up to restore the natural wetland hydrology on a 34-acre parcel of land which was heavily impaired and intensely manipulated for cranberry production over the last century. The area was home to a network of earthen berms surrounding cranberry cultivating bogs, where water onsite was managed through a series of ditches and water control structures set into the berms. The cranberry operation was bordered mostly by an Atlantic white cedar dominated swamp.

"Thank you to Bowman's Hill for honoring this successful wetland restoration," said Mark Gallagher, Vice President of Princeton Hydro. "Through our partnership with GreenVest, we transformed a degraded cranberry bog into thriving emergent and forested wetlands, and restored historic headwater stream channels. These restored wetlands are providing invaluable habitat to a variety of threatened and endangered species in New Jersey, including the Pine Barrens Treefrog and Barred Owl."

While this site was degraded, it still contained four state listed species, including the state-endangered Timber Rattlesnake and the Pine Barrens Tree Frog, making it a priority site for restoration. The presence of these species influenced the design as it included provisions to incorporate habitat elements for these species.

Through the implementation of restoration activities focused on removing the site’s agricultural infrastructure, Princeton Hydro and GreenVest were able to restore a natural wetland system on the site. In addition, the restoration project reconnected the site to its floodplain and re-established a natural stream channel. The expansive, flat and wide floodplain wetland complex of the Alquatka Branch of the Mullica RIver provides floodplain connectivity for relatively frequent storm events and allows for a sustainable floodplain wetland complex in the former cranberry bog cells.

The completed project incorporated a balance of both ecological and human health and safety benefits. Additionally, the project involved innovative restoration techniques that required building consensus among local watershed protection groups and state and regional regulators, including New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Pinelands Commission. In the end, the project restored 34 acres of a highly functioning forested wetland/upland complex and reestablished 1,600+ linear feet of historic headwater stream channels.

Princeton Hydro would like to thank Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve for both the award and for a organizing another successful Land Ethics Symposium. The conference focused on ways to create low-maintenance, economical and ecologically balanced landscapes using native plants and restoration techniques. Princeton Hydro was a proud "Friends Sponsor" of the event.

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Welcome to the second installment of Princeton Hydro’s multi-part blog series about aquatic organism passage.

What you'll learn:

  • How does promoting aquatic organism passage benefit ecosystems as a whole?
  • How can others, including people, benefit from aquatic organism passage?
  • How has Princeton Hydro supported it?

Fostering Ecological Balance in Food Webs

A major consequence of poorly designed culverts is the destabilization of food webs. Sufficient predators and prey must exist to maintain a balanced food web. For example, freshwater mussels (Unionidae) are a common snack among fish. A mussel’s life cycle involves using certain fish as a host for their larvae until these microscopic juveniles mature into their adult forms and drop off. During this period, the host fish will travel, effectively transporting a future food source with it. In the presence of habitat fragmentation, the isolation of these symbiotic relationships can be devastating. Some mussel species rely on a small circle of fish species as their hosts, and conversely, some fish species rely on specific mussel species as their food. If a fish species is separated from its mussel partner, food shortages owing to a declining adult mussel population can occur.

Widespread Benefits to Flora, Fauna, and People

[caption id="attachment_1394" align="alignright" width="310"] A man fly fishes as his dog sits by his side at Ken Lockwood Gorge, Hunterdon County. Photo from State of New Jersey website.[/caption] A shift in the 1980s recognized the importance of redesigning road-stream crossings for several reasons, including restoring aquatic organism passage and maintaining flood resiliency. Replacing culverts with larger structures that better facilitate the movement of both water and aquatic organisms benefit all species. Roads constructed over streams allow people to travel across natural landscapes while culverts that are fish-friendly convey water at a rate similar to the surrounding landscape, reducing scour in stream beds. Fish, as well as semi-terrestrial organisms like crabs and salamanders, can take advantage of more natural stream environments and complete their migrations. Anglers appreciate healthy, plentiful fish populations nearly as much as the fish themselves. Recreation and economic growth also improve when streams regain the aquatic biological communities once lost through habitat fragmentation. According to USFWS, for every dollar spent on restoration through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program and Coastal Program Restoration Project, states gain $1.90 of economic activity. Stream restoration improves fish and wildlife habitat, which directly supports and enhances recreation opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts thus resulting in increased tourism-related spending and job growth.

Aquatic Organism Passage in Action at Princeton Hydro

Princeton Hydro recently completed a project to facilitate aquatic organism passage for river herring in Red Brook in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Read all about it here! Princeton Hydro was hired by Save the Sound (formerly Connecticut Fund for the Environment) to design a fish passage project along the Noroton River through a long, perched three-barrel concrete culvert under Interstate-95. Click here to read more. For an introduction to aquatic organism passage, be sure to check out the first post in this multipart-series.

Sources: "Aquatic Organism Passage through Bridges and Culverts." Flow. Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation's Watershed Management Division, 31 Jan. 2014. Web. 14 Mar. 2017. Hoffman, R.L., Dunham, J.B., and Hansen, B.P., eds., 2012, Aquatic organism passage at road-stream crossings— Synthesis and guidelines for effectiveness monitoring: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2012-1090, 64 p. Jackson, S., 2003. "Design and Construction of Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings: Ecological Considerations in the Design of River and Stream Crossings." 20-29 International Conference of Ecology and Transportation, Lake Placid, New York. Kilgore, Roger T., Bergendahl, Bart S., and Hotchkiss, Rollin H. Publication No. FHWAHIF-11-008 HEC-26. Culvert Design for Aquatic Organism Passage Hydraulic Engineering Circular Number 26. October 2010. Michigan Natural Features Inventory. Freshwater Mussels of Michigan. Michigan State University, 2005.   [post_title] => Aquatic Organism Passage: A Princeton Hydro Blog Series (Part 2) [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => aquatic-organism-passage-a-princeton-hydro-blog-series [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-10-16 20:08:18 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-10-16 20:08:18 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://www.princetonhydro.com/blog/?p=1391 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [9] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 1246 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2017-11-22 11:16:30 [post_date_gmt] => 2017-11-22 11:16:30 [post_content] =>

Introducing part one of a multi-part blog series about aquatic organism passage

What you'll learn:

  • What is aquatic organism passage?
  • Why is it important?
  • How does Princeton Hydro support it?
[caption id="attachment_1254" align="alignright" width="268"] This photo from NYS DEC demonstrates a well-designed stream crossing.[/caption] Since the US government began allotting funds for building roads in U.S. national forests in the late 1920s, hundreds of thousands of culverts were built across the country. Culverts, or drainage structures that convey water underneath a barrier such as a road or railroad, were originally built with the intention of moving water quickly and efficiently. While this goal was met, many migratory fish and other aquatic organisms could not overcome the culverts’ high-velocity flows, sending them away from their migratory destinations. If the culvert was perched, or elevated above the water surface, it would require the migratory aquatic animals to both leap upwards and fight the unnaturally fast stream current to continue their journeys. Additionally, turbulence, low flows, and debris challenged the movement of aquatic organisms. Thus, the goal of aquatic organism passage (AOP) is to maintain connectivity by allowing aquatic organisms to migrate upstream or downstream under roads. AOP “has a profound influence on the movement, distribution and abundance of populations of aquatic species in rivers and streams”. These aforementioned species include “fish, aquatic reptiles and amphibians, and the insects that live in the stream bed and are the food source for fish”.   [caption id="attachment_1255" align="alignright" width="300"] This photo from NYS DEC demonstrates a poorly-designed stream crossing.[/caption] A poorly designed culvert can harm fish populations in multiple ways. If sturgeon aren’t able to surpass it, habitat fragmentation prevails. And so, a once-connected habitat for thousands of sturgeon breaks into isolated areas where a few hundred now live. When the population was in the thousands, a disease that wiped out 80% of the population would still leave a viable number of individuals left to survive and mate; a population of a few hundred will be severely hurt by such an event. In sum, habitat fragmentation raises the risk of local extinction (extirpation) as well as extinction in general. The splintering of a large population into several smaller ones can also leave species more vulnerable to invasive species. Generally, the greater the biodiversity harbored in a population, the stronger its response will be against a disturbance. A dwindling community of a few hundred herring will likely succumb to an invasive who preys on it while a larger, more robust community of a few thousand herring has a greater chance of containing some individuals who can outcompete the invasive.

Aquatic Organism Passage in Action at Princeton Hydro

Princeton Hydro recently teamed up with Trout Unlimited to reconnect streams within a prized central-Pennsylvanian trout fishery.  Our team enabled aquatic organism passage by replacing two culverts in Pennsylvania’s Cross Fork Creek. Read about it here!

To read part two of our Aquatic Organism Passage blog series, click here!

Sources: "Aquatic Organism Passage through Bridges and Culverts." Flow. Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation's Watershed Management Division, 31 Jan. 2014. Web. 14 Mar. 2017. Hoffman, R.L., Dunham, J.B., and Hansen, B.P., eds., 2012, Aquatic organism passage at road-stream crossings— Synthesis and guidelines for effectiveness monitoring: US Geological Survey Open-File Report 2012-1090, 64p. Jackson, S., 2003. "Design and Construction of Aquatic Organism Passage at Road-Stream Crossings: Ecological Considerations in the Design of River and Stream Crossings." 20-29 International Conference of Ecology and Transportation, Lake Placid, New York. Kilgore, Roger T., Bergendahl, Bart S., and Hotchkiss, Rollin H. Publication No. FHWAHIF-11-008 HEC-26. Culvert Design for Aquatic Organism Passage Hydraulic Engineering Circular Number 26. October 2010. [post_title] => Aquatic Organism Passage: A Princeton Hydro Blog Series (Part 1) [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => aop-blog-series-1 [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-10-16 20:08:18 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-10-16 20:08:18 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://www.princetonhydro.com/blog/?p=1246 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) ) [post_count] => 10 [current_post] => -1 [before_loop] => 1 [in_the_loop] => [post] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 18009 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2025-08-07 19:26:22 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-08-07 19:26:22 [post_content] =>

We're pleased to announce the release of the "New Jersey Nature-Based Solutions: Planning, Implementation, and Monitoring Reference Guide," a free resource that provides a comprehensive roadmap to incorporating nature-based solutions (NBS) into infrastructure, construction, restoration, and resilience projects across the state.

Created by the Rutgers University New Jersey Climate Change Resource Center with support from The Nature Conservancy in New Jersey, the guide compiles current research, case studies, best practices, practical tools, science-based strategies, and funding resources to "inform and empower readers to implement and seek funding for NBS."

Click here to view and download the guide now.


Inside the Guide

As the guide states, "nature-based solutions (NBS) are defined as actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously benefiting people and nature." (IUCN 2024)

Whether you're a municipal planner, community leader, contractor, public- or private-sector professional, or an academic, new to NBS or experienced in large-scale restoration projects, the guide offers value at every level with practical instruction that spans the full project lifecycle, from planning and permitting to funding and long-term monitoring. While the content is tailored to New Jersey's diverse landscapes, the guide's insights and approaches are broadly applicable to regions with similar ecosystems, from Massachusetts to Virginia.

The guide equips readers with:
  • A foundational understanding of how to plan and apply NBS in a variety of settings, from urban spaces to coastal habitats to inland farmland.
  • An introduction to cost-benefit analysis, including the basics of benefit transfer methodology and its role in justifying funding proposals.
  • A comprehensive toolbox, including policy and permitting guidance, project examples, datasets, and funding and monitoring resources.
  • In-depth profiles of five NBS categories: Bioretention Systems, Coastal Habitats, Regenerative Land Management, Stream Restoration, and Urban Forestry. Each category includes specific techniques like dam removal, living shorelines, and rain gardens.
 

The guide also includes insights on how to address equity considerations and foster meaningful community engagement, helping users implement NBS that are both impactful and inclusive.

Princeton Hydro was proud to contribute technical expertise to this important effort. Our Director of Restoration & Resilience, Christiana L. Pollack, CERP, CFM, GISP, participated on the guide's steering committee, and our team provided informational resources, including content and case studies on invasive species management, wetland and floodplain enhancement, and dam and culvert removal to restore rivers and improve fish passage. These contributions along with those from many other participants, reflect the collaborative nature of the guide and the collective commitment to advancing NBS across the state.

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Sections at a Glance

The guide's easy-to-follow format includes four key sections:

  • Section 1: Setting the Stage - Introduces the purpose of the guide, its intended users, and how to easily navigate its contents.
  • Section 2: Planning for Nature-Based Solutions - Covers essential planning considerations, including selecting a planning horizon, aligning with local land use plans, permitting, funding, community engagement, equity, adaptive management, benefit-cost analysis, and climate change resilience.
  • Section 3: Nature-Based Solutions Profiles - Provides a detailed look at NBS strategies, including their intended uses, implementation techniques, primary benefits and co-benefits, and the specific environmental hazards they help address (i.e., sea level rise, wildfire, inland flooding, etc.)
  • Section 4: Appendix - Includes a project planning checklist, case studies, a glossary, references, and links to helpful resources, tools, and data.

Whether you're just beginning to conceptualize a project or deep into project implementation, this guide is an invaluable addition to your toolbox. We encourage you to explore, download, and share it widely! Click here to access the guide now.

Webinars and outreach events are currently being planned as part of a broader effort to build awareness and support the guide's use. Stay tuned for future announcements. To learn more about the Rutgers University New Jersey Climate Change Resource Center, click here. [post_title] => New Resource: A Comprehensive Guide to Nature-Based Solutions in New Jersey [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => guide-to-nature-based-solutions-in-new-jersey [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-08-07 19:28:46 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-08-07 19:28:46 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?p=18009 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [comment_count] => 0 [current_comment] => -1 [found_posts] => 10 [max_num_pages] => 1 [max_num_comment_pages] => 0 [is_single] => [is_preview] => [is_page] => [is_archive] => 1 [is_date] => [is_year] => [is_month] => [is_day] => [is_time] => [is_author] => [is_category] => [is_tag] => 1 [is_tax] => [is_search] => [is_feed] => [is_comment_feed] => [is_trackback] => [is_home] => [is_privacy_policy] => [is_404] => [is_embed] => [is_paged] => [is_admin] => [is_attachment] => [is_singular] => [is_robots] => [is_favicon] => [is_posts_page] => [is_post_type_archive] => [query_vars_hash:WP_Query:private] => 6e7ce48119cdb61862afeba50e4e0f60 [query_vars_changed:WP_Query:private] => 1 [thumbnails_cached] => [allow_query_attachment_by_filename:protected] => [stopwords:WP_Query:private] => [compat_fields:WP_Query:private] => Array ( [0] => query_vars_hash [1] => query_vars_changed ) [compat_methods:WP_Query:private] => Array ( [0] => init_query_flags [1] => parse_tax_query ) [query_cache_key:WP_Query:private] => wp_query:ea22e2d7d8323f34578f44f67db113c9 )

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