Water Resources
The Passaic River
Essential to a Sustainable Future
Under a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ANJEC is working to educate the public on ways individuals and communities can restore the health and beauty of the Passaic River and its watershed.
The EPA considers the Passaic watershed a regional high priority area and
a valuable link to northern New Jersey's past industrial development. The
Passaic System includes the entire 80-mile length of the River from its
headwaters in the New Jersey Highlands to its confluence with Newark Bay,
and its watershed, covering 787 square miles in New Jersey and 148 square
miles in New York.
The Passaic River Institute has developed a web
page. It shows a map of the 935-square mile watershed - the main stem
of the Passaic River with the seven major tributary rivers; Rockaway, Whippany,
Pequannock, Wanaque, Pompton, Ramapo and Saddle Rivers.
The Passaic System supplies
- Drinking water for millions in northern New Jersey by several purveyors
including
- North Jersey District Water Supply Commission
- Passaic Valley Water Commission
- City of Newark
- Jersey City
- Important habitat for the endangered blue-spotted salamander and nesting and resting areas for migrating birds provided by the River and its thousands of acres of wetlands
- One of the most flexible multi-purpose cargo centers in the United States
at Port Newark, according to the Port Authority. The facilities
include wharves, deepwater ship berths, and three million square feet
of distribution buildings, specialized facilities, roadways and direct
rail access.
Tools for Commissions
ANJEC has developed a portable three-panel display on the Passaic and its watershed to highland the Rivers' functions and the need to protect it. The display illustrates the watershed concept and the importance of precipitation (stormwater) to the health of the river. It also explains the impacts of stormwater runoff and provides specific suggestions about what residents and towns can do to protect the river.
Commissions can borrow the display to exhibit in town halls, libraries or other public buildings or to show at green fairs. To borrow the display, contact ANJEC via email or call 973-539-7547.
10/11