Pond Removal on Tributary to Rockaway Creek

Case Name:

Country:

United States of America

Restoration Types:

Habitat Enhancement

State:

City:

Readington Township

Phase:

Pre-implementation

Project Description

The Cornell-Dubilier Electronics Trustees partnered with a private landowner in Readington Township, NJ to complete the removal of a small weir and farm pond on an unnamed stream that flows into Rockaway Creek, a tributary of the Lamington River. The weir was approximately 15-foot-wide and created a small, shallow pond that trapped sediment and experienced extensive aquatic plant and algal growth due to nutrient runoff, creating poor water quality conditions downstream. After the weir was removed, the stream corridor and natural floodplain topography was restored. Invasive plants were controlled and native species were planted to stabilize the stream banks and enhance wildlife habitat. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provided assistance by preparing engineering design plans, assisting the landowner with construction contracting, providing technical and project management, and providing partial funds for the project. In addition to enhancing habitat for fish and wildlife, this farm pond removal has likely contributed to improved water quality conditions in Rockaway Creek.

Restoration Land Ownership

Private

Parties Implementing Restoration

Natural Resource Conservation Service

DOI Project Representatives

Fish and Wildlife Service

The shallow farm pond before the weir was removed., Credit: Michael Palmquist, NJDEP

The berm is breached during construction in order to dewater the pond before restoration activities., Credit: Jillian Stark, USFWS


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Map View

Contacts

New Jersey Ecological Services Field Office

4 East Jimmie Leeds Road, Suite 4, Galloway, NJ 08205 | (609) 383-3938 | http://www.fws.gov/northeast/njfieldoffice/

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