Watershed Management Area 9
Lower Raritan, South River, Lawrence

Watershed Management Area 9 includes the mainstem of the Raritan River, the South River and Lawrence Brook. Middlesex, Somerset and Monmouth Counties make up most of the political geography of this WMA.

The mainstem of the Raritan River spans from the confluence of the North and South Branches to the Raritan Bay. For the most part, this drainage area is densely populated. There are two low dams in this river, Fieldsville Dam and Calco Dam. Among the many small recreational lakes and ponds in this area are Watchung Lake, Surprise Lake, Spring Lake and Green Brook Pond (all manmade). Land use in the mainstem Raritan River Watershed is primarily urban/suburban, with industrial and commercial centers throughout. There are about 73 NJPDES permitted discharges and about 29 biological monitoring stations in this watershed.

The South River begins at Duhernal Lake in Spotswood and flows to the Raritan River at Sayreville. It is formed by the confluence of Manalapan and Matchaponix Brooks. Other tributaries include Deep River and Tennants Brook and major impoundments are Matchaponix Brook and South River. Land use in the upper part of this area, the Manalapan and Matchaponix Brooks subwatersheds, is predominantly agriculture and forests. New industrial and residential development is becoming incorporated into these areas and there is existing, older development in the South River subwatershed. There are about 5 NJPDES permitted discharges in the South River Watershed and 11 biological monitoring stations in the South River and Lawrence Brook Watersheds combined.

For additional information on the Lower Raritan, South River, and Lawrence Watershed Management Area, please contact:

Beth Torpey, WMA 9 Area Manager
Beth.Torpey@dep.state.nj.us
(609) 633-1471

Or visit the projects web site at www.raritanbasin.org

Watershed Management Area 9 Map
Watershed Management Area 9 Factsheet (PDF Format)

Watershed Plans
Delaware and Raritan Canal from New Brunswick to South Bound Brook (approved plan)
Cedar Grove (Al's) Brook Watersheds (under development)

Priority Segment for Restoration
Manalapan Brook from headwaters to Manalapan Lake

TMDL Implementation Priorities
Middle Brook West Branch at Chimney Rock Road at Martinsville Fecal Coliform

Active Projects

	Section 319(h) NPS Grant: Delaware and Raritan Canal Tributary Assessment and Nonpoint Source Management Program New Jersey Water Supply Authority A Watershed Restoration Plan was approved by DEP in 2006, which yielded Best Management Practices (BMP) recommendations for priority drainage areas. Funding for implementation of selected drainage area BMPs is currently being considered.
	Section 319(h) NPS Grant: Streambank Stabilization and Riparian Buffer Restoration of Cedar Brook, City of Plainfield, Union County Rahway River Association This project will restore approximately 2,000 linear feet of eroded stream banks and degraded riparian buffer of Cedar Brook in Cedar Brook Park, which is an Olmsted Park and of historical significance.
	Section 319(h) NPS Grant: Stormwater Management Plan for the Cedar Grove Brook Watershed New Jersey Water Supply Authority This project will build on the Raritan Basin Watershed Management Project by developing a stormwater quality and quantity model, a management plan and implementation recommendations for use by various stakeholders. The project goals are to ensure long-term stability, to mitigate current pollutant loadings and prevent future degradation to the Canal and to identify opportunities to reduce pollutant loadings to the stream and Canal, so that the stream no longer degrades the Canal.
	EPA Targeted Watershed Initiative Grant for the Raritan Basin Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, New Jersey Water Supply Authority and the South Branch Watershed Association The three-pronged approach of this project addresses stream restoration, watershed protection and preservation through a Municipal Assessment process and pollution prevention for municipalities, businesses, golf courses, farms and residents through a River Friendly program. The million dollar federal grant will be matched by funds from the New Jersey Water Supply Authority, Stonybrook-Milstone Watershed Association and South Branch Watershed Association.
	Watershed Management for the Raritan River Basin: Phase II Management Plan & Interim Protection/Restoration Projects New Jersey Water Supply Authority This project includes the development of the Manalpan Lake Watershed Restoration/Implementation Plan, an Open Space and Redevelopment study of the Lower Raritan Watershed and Fecal Coliform TMDL Support.

WMA 9 Partnerships
Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership
Lower Raritan-Middlesex County Water Resources Association
Raritan Basin Agricultural Committee
Raritan Basin Education and Outreach Committee
Raritan Basin Public Advisory Committee
Raritan Basin Stormwater Management Plan Committee
Raritan Basin Technical Advisory Committee
Raritan Basin Watershed Alliance Steering Committee

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