Watershed Management Area 4
Lower Passaic, Saddle River

Watershed Management Area 4 includes the Lower Passaic River (from the Pompton River confluence downstream to the Newark Bay) and its tributaries, including the Saddle River. The WMA 4 drainage area is approximately 180 square miles and lies within portions of Passaic, Essex, Hudson, Morris and Bergen Counties.

Two watersheds comprise WMA 4: the Lower Passaic River Watershed and Saddle River Watershed. The Lower Passaic River Watershed originates from the confluence of the Pompton River downstream to the Newark Bay. This 33-mile section meanders through Bergen, Hudson, Passaic and Essex Counties and includes a number of falls, culminating with the Great Falls in Paterson. This watershed has a drainage area of approximately 129 square miles. The major tributaries to this section of the Passaic River are the Saddle River, Preakness Brook, Second River and Third River. The Saddle River is one of the larger tributaries to the Lower Passaic River. The Saddle River Watershed has a drainage area of approximately 51 square miles. Land in this watershed is extensively developed and contains many older cities and industrial centers including Newark, Paterson, Clifton and East Orange.

For additional information on the Lower Passaic and Saddle River Watershed Management Area, please contact:

Michele Bakacs, WMA 4 Area Manager
Michele.Bakacs@dep.state.nj.us
(609) 292-9247

Or visit the projects web site at: www.wma4.org

Watershed Management Area 4 Map
Watershed Management Area 4 Factsheet (PDF Format)

Watershed Plans
Preakness Brook (under development)
Molly Ann Brook (under development)

Priority Segment for Restoration
Passaic River from Two Bridges to Elmwood Park border

TMDL Implementation Priorities
Verona Park Lake Eutrophication
Passaic River Phosphorus

Active Projects

Section 319(h) NPS Grant: Preakness Brook Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan William Paterson University The Plan will define specific actions needed to protect the Category 1 headwaters and restore the downstream impaired segments of the brook. The plan will also address stormwater management in the Preakness subwatershed. WPU is working closely with the Township of Wayne and Garden State Engineering on this project.

Section 319(h) NPS Grant: MollyAnn Brook Watershed Restoration Plan Passaic County Planning Department

WMA 4 Partnerships
Lower Passaic and Saddle River Alliance
(formerly the WMA 4 Public Advisory Committee) The Alliance is made up of over 30 local community groups, businesses, state and federal agencies and local citizens working to improve and protect the natural resources of the Lower Passaic River watershed. The work done by the Alliance is accomplished through vital partnerships that have been established throughout the watershed. The Alliance meets every 2nd Thursday of the month. Most of the work is done through committees. Education and Outreach Committee meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month. Technical Advisory Committee meets the 4th Thursday of the month.

Bloomfield College
City of Montclair
City of Paterson
Essex County Environmental Affairs
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Friends of Clarks Pond
GSE, LLC
League of Women Voters
Lower Passaic Cooperating Parties
Montclair State University
National Park Service
NJ Community Water Watch
NJ Tree Foundation
Newark Youth Corps
Passaic River Institute
Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners
Paterson Youth Corps
PSE&G
Ramapo College
Sierra Club
William Paterson University

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