We’re committed to improving our ecosystems, quality of life, and communities for the better.
Our passion and commitment to the integration of innovative science and engineering drive us to exceed on behalf of every client.
At Princeton Hydro, ArcGIS StoryMaps is one of the tools we use to translate complex environmental assessments, geographic information system (GIS) analyses, water quality data, and restoration projects into accessible, interactive digital experiences that support municipal planning and help communities better understand and connect with their local environments. Designed to be intuitive and easy to navigate, ArcGIS StoryMaps is a web-based tool that brings together visual storytelling, maps, charts, diagrams, photos, and clickable data points into a single, user-friendly experience.
Our approach to creating StoryMaps for our clients combines technical rigor with thoughtful design and content development, ensuring that data is not only accurate but also meaningful and accessible. From that foundation, we design each StoryMap with a strong focus on audience engagement, tailoring narrative content and visual presentation to meet the diverse needs of users, from project stakeholders and municipal decision-makers to community members. Using ESRI’s ArcGIS platform, our team develops geospatial datasets, conducts spatial analysis, and transforms modeling outputs into clear, practical information. Where relevant, we incorporate before-and-after photographs and video footage captured by our scientists and engineers in the field, offering unique perspectives on design and construction. To support deeper exploration, we also curate supplemental resources and links to additional materials, enabling users to continue learning beyond the StoryMap itself.
Explore the StoryMap examples below to see how Princeton Hydro uses interactive storytelling to support environmental planning, communicate restoration efforts, and foster meaningful public engagement.
In partnership with Readington Township, Princeton Hydro developed New Jersey’s first fully interactive Environmental Resource Inventory (ERI), commissioned by the Township’s Environmental Commission. Developed as an ArcGIS StoryMap, the ERI establishes a comprehensive baseline inventory of the Township’s natural, cultural, and environmental resources, while expanding upon the previous ERI published in 2002. The digital platform integrates narrative storytelling, statistical analyses, and media to provide visual depictions of environmental features and land usage. The platform’s dynamic web‑based mapping allows users to explore data through intuitive zooming, panning, and attribute querying without the need for specialized GIS software.
Designed to support municipal decision‑making, conservation planning, scientific investigation, and zoning reviews, the ERI serves governing bodies, residents, land managers, developers, and other stakeholders by offering an accessible, objective, and highly functional tool for understanding and protecting Readington’s environmental resources. As a result of this first-of-its-kind, interactive resource, the Township was awarded the Association of NJ Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) 2023 Environmental Achievement Award, which recognizes exceptional projects carried out by environmental commissions and groups.
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Schuylkill River Greenways, in partnership with Berks Nature, Bartram’s Garden, The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, Stroud Water Research Center, and Princeton Hydro, with funding from the William Penn Foundation, developed a StoryMap that reveals location perceptions of the Schuylkill River and presents the results of a year-long monitoring effort that included water quality data collection, bacteria sampling, and a community science survey in which 100+ volunteers assessed trash conditions along the river. The platform helps bridge the gap between scientific data and public perception, encouraging informed engagement and recreation.
The sampling protocols and interactive ArcGIS StoryMap were designed by Princeton Hydro in collaboration with project partners. Through integrated maps, data dashboards, and narrative content, the StoryMap presents detailed results from the perception and opinions survey, water quality monitoring, and trash assessments in a clear and engaging format. The data collected tells the tale of a vibrant river corridor with numerous opportunities for kayaking, fishing, bird watching, hiking, and biking. The Deputy Director of Schuylkill River Greenways summed it up well: “As we had hoped, we found that the river is indeed in great shape and we are now trying to spread the good news that all kinds of recreation on the river are safe and encouraged. We have an incredible recreational and environmental asset in this river, and we want everyone to know about it.”
Developed in partnership with the Bucks County Conservation District and Bucks County Planning Commission, this StoryMap showcases the decade-long effort to restore the Lake Luxembourg Conservation Pool. It highlights key project elements, including sediment removal, wetland restoration, and shoreline stabilization, while also addressing long-term watershed resilience and future environmental challenges.
The interactive platform translates complex planning, engineering, and ecological restoration work into a visually rich and accessible experience. Users can explore watershed dynamics, past restoration efforts, and detailed construction milestones through interactive maps, drone footage, and before-and-after imagery, all without the need for specialized GIS software or training. By combining technical content with intuitive navigation and storytelling, the StoryMap makes years of planning, permitting, and construction easy to understand for a broad audience. It serves as both an educational resource and a comprehensive record of the project, connecting the community with its watershed and reinforcing the importance of restoration and environmental stewardship.
Princeton Hydro partnered with CU Maurice River, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the natural integrity and cultural heritage of the Maurice River Watershed in NJ, to develop an interactive StoryMap that highlights the region’s unique ecological, recreational, and cultural resources. The StoryMap provides a comprehensive, watershed-scale view of the Maurice River system, allowing users to explore an extensive range of features including Wild and Scenic River designations, natural and cultural points of interest, public access locations, boating resources, and local amenities such as lodging, dining, and outfitting services. Through interactive maps, users can zoom and pan to specific locations, view site details and attributes, and navigate the watershed without the need for specialized GIS software or training.
Supported by descriptive narratives, travel guidance, and safety advisories, the StoryMap serves as both an educational resource and a practical tool for exploring and planning visits throughout the watershed. The StoryMap supports CU Maurice River’s long-standing commitment to eco-tourism and stewardship, helping people discover, experience, and celebrate one of New Jersey’s most ecologically significant and scenic river systems.
In collaboration with the Borough of Harveys Lake, Princeton Hydro developed an interactive StoryMap that chronicles the community’s long-standing commitment to water quality and highlights a recent pilot project targeting nutrient reduction. This engaging StoryMap brings decades of environmental conservation and water quality protection efforts to life. Users can explore a historical timeline, interactive restoration maps, and detailed insights into a 2025 pilot study that improved water quality by using innovative filtration media to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen in stormwater runoff.
The StoryMap also emphasizes Harveys Lake’s broader connections to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, demonstrating how local actions contribute to regional environmental improvements. Serving as both an educational tool and a digital archive, it reinforces the value of science-based solutions and community engagement in watershed stewardship.
Commissioned by the Millburn Township Environmental Commission, Princeton Hydro developed a comprehensive, data driven ERI for Millburn Township to replace its 2014 version and provide an updated framework for environmental planning. Built as an interactive ArcGIS StoryMap, this resource integrates narrative content, mapping, and multimedia to clearly document the Township’s environmental, cultural, and historical assets. The ERI is organized into user-friendly sections that guide readers from broad environmental context to more detailed analyses, allowing for both high-level understanding and deeper exploration. Leveraging datasets from NJDEP, NJGIN, and local sources, the ERI presents information across a wide range of environmental and land use topics, including climate trends, waters and wetlands; geography, geology, and soils; air quality; and vegetation and wildlife.
Officially adopted in January 2026, the StoryMap serves as a valuable tool for municipal officials, planners, and the Environmental Commission, while also providing residents, land managers, and other stakeholders with an enhanced understanding of Millburn’s natural resources.
The Town of Greenwich, Connecticut worked with Princeton Hydro, in partnership with Ecopolitan Design and BRS, to assess vulnerabilities to coastal flooding and sea level rise and develop a comprehensive coastal resilience strategy. With 27 miles of shoreline along Long Island Sound and numerous critical assets in low-lying areas, the Town sought to better understand climate-related risks and establish priorities for adaptation.
As part of the Greenwich Coastal Resiliency Assessment and Plan, Princeton Hydro developed a StoryMap that translates technical analyses into a detailed, accessible overview of the Town’s vulnerability to coastal flooding and sea level rise, including impacts to public facilities, infrastructure, and areas served by on-site septic systems. Users can explore sea level rise risk assessments, projected flooding scenarios, tidal pond evaluations, recommended resilience strategies, and community perspectives, along with helpful resources. By presenting complex climate data in a clear and interactive format, the StoryMap serves as a planning resource and increases awareness of coastal risks and resilience strategies as Greenwich prepares for future conditions.
To support the development of the 2025 D&R Canal Master Plan update, Princeton Hydro partnered with Clarke Caton Hintz to create a comprehensive geospatial dataset that reflects current physical, environmental, and social conditions through the park and surrounding region. The previous Master Plan, last updated in 1989, predated many of the advancements in geospatial data that are now available to inform planning and decision-making.
Princeton Hydro curated a selection of datasets covering a wide range of topics, including land use and development, topography, hydrology and water resource protection, flood risk, threatened and endangered species, demographics, and environmental justice, creating a detailed and consistent data foundation for the master planning process. These datasets were integrated into an ESRI geodatabase and made accessible through an interactive, user-friendly dashboard. Users can refine their exploration by selecting specific geographies, including Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission review zones, counties, and municipalities. This flexibility allows planners and stakeholders to better understand spatial patterns and relationships across the region, supporting more informed, data-driven decision-making.
Across each of these projects, StoryMaps serve as a bridge between technical analysis and public understanding. By turning complex information into interactive experiences, StoryMaps help support informed decisions and build stronger connections to the environment.
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PRINCETON HYDRO
PRINCETON HYDRO