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  • The Lower Raritan – WMA09

The Lower Raritan – WMA09

Watershed Management Area 9 (WMA09) covers the main stem of the Raritan River, the South River, and the Lawrence Brook. The main stem of the Raritan spans from the confluence of the North Branch and the South Branch to the Raritan Bay. The watershed includes parts of Middlesex, Somerset, and Monmouth counties. Land use in the main stem Raritan River watershed is primarily urban and suburban, with industrial and commercial centers throughout. The South River begins in Spotswood and flows into the Raritan River at Sayreville. Land use in the upper part of this area is primarily agricultural and forested. New industrial and residential development is rising in these areas, as well as existing, older development in the South River subwatershed. Construction activities, increased use of impervious surfaces and stream bank modification have all contributed to stilt loads and local flooding. There is an increasing amount of runoff from urban services, roads, and storm sewers. These conditions have reduced water quality and fish habitat.

Wildlife in WMA09 can be characterized by its wide variety of bird species, including the American Oystercatcher, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Peregrine Falcon, and a wide range of gulls. A shad fishery is developing in the Raritan, fostered by dam removals. Improvements in water quality have brought the return of many fish populations to the lower Raritan, including largemouth and smallmouth bass, carp, yellow perch, sunfish, catfish, and American eel.

The key environmental organizations working in WMA09 are the Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership and the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership.  Researchers from the School of Environmental and Biological Science are involved in fish tagging, oyster restoration, and water quality concerns including a water quality data project and a green infrastructure project focused on reducing impervious surfaces that contribute to area flooding.

WMA_09_FINAL-sjm

News

  • R3C Webinars on Recent Raritan Research

  • 2020 and 2021 Raritan River Conferences Canceled

  • Rutgers Raritan River Initiative to partner with NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program on Coastal Watershed Grant

  • Influence of biogeochemistry on the availability of toxic metals in iron-replete New Jersey sediment

  • New video on removal of Weston Mill Dam highlights preservation of historic artifacts

  • A Watershed-Based Approach to Flood Hazard Mitigation in the Raritan Region

Click here for more news! and be sure to check out the Calendar for upcoming activities.

May 2022

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  • Stony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority Meeting
    Stony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority Meeting
    Starts: 7:30 pm
    Ends: May 23, 2022 - 9:30 pm

    Location: 290 River Road, Princeton, NJ


    Description:

    Authority Board Meeting Schedule

    ­A RESOLUTION SETTING REGULAR MEETING DATES FOR THE STONY BROOK REGIONAL SEWERAGE AUTHORITY FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2016
    IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT

    Resolution No. 2015-78

    BE IT RESOLVED by the Stony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority:

    That the regular meeting day of the Authority be held on the fourth Monday of each month, except in November, when it will be held on the second Monday, and June and December when the meeting will be held on the third Monday of the month.

    http://www.sbrsa.com/

    More details...
  • Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority
    Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority
    Starts: 7:30 pm
    Ends: May 23, 2022 - 9:30 pm

    Location: 50 Polhemus Ln, Bridgewater, NJ 08807, USA


    Description:

    Meetings of the Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority are held the fourth Monday of each month. Meetings are held in the Authority conference room located in the Administrative Office. Open session meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. and there is an opportunity for public participation. Anyone from the public wishing to be heard should arrive promptly for the start of a meeting as the public participation portion is early on the agenda.

    http://srvsa.org/

    More details...
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Get in Touch

  • 848.932.2720
  • 732.932.0934 fax
  • raritan@ejb.rutgers.edu

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