Programs

Water Quality Monitoring

Construction of water supply impoundments in the Pequannock watershed occurred more than 75 years ago, when environmental regulations were few and the impacts of these projects on other natural resources were neglected, ignored, or poorly understood. Consequently no provisions were made for continued minimum passing flows in these systems. Increased development and a corresponding loss of groundwater recharge has aggravated these conditions.

A result was the controversy erupting in 1994-95 over river flows and temperatures where reduced flows from the Oak Ridge Reservoir caused high water temperatures creating a major fish kill. To resolve this issue, the Coalition provided the impetus for a minimum-flow/maximum temperature agreement between the NJDEP and the City of Newark governing this segment of the river from Oak Ridge to Charlottesburg reservoirs. Since then our attention turned to other river segments and tributaries where low flows and high temperatures impact a variety of resource values.

To better gauge river temperatures throughout the watershed, we began an intensive temperature monitoring program in 1997. Since its inception, this program has been continually refined. Today we maintain 14 monitoring stations at various sites in the watershed. Our rigid protocols gained us accreditation as a state-licensed laboratory for temperature data collection. Our data was incorporated by the DEP in their analysis of statewide water quality for the 303(d)-impairment list. Based solely on our data, several river segments and tributaries have been listed as “impaired.”

Our analysis has revealed an endangered river. Summer temperatures on the lower Pequannock regularly approach the lethal limit of 79-80°F for the resident population of wild brown trout. So, our goal now is to prevent practices that elevate temperatures, identify lands and tributaries that provide cooler flows and to educate the public on why this element of water quality is significant.

In 2006 we added a second laboratory license for dissolved oxygen monitoring. This is another important facet of water quality and will help us to better understand – and protect – this complex river system.

Recently we expanded our knowledge with a survey of local waterways using a method called R2CROSS. This method determines what water levels are needed in our streams and rivers to maintain ecological health. The results of the survey are available here.

Going forward, PRC will continue to apply cutting edge technology and innovative ideas to investigate and protect our watershed. Knowledge is power!

2008 Stream FLow Analysis Using R2CROSS