Basin Bulletin Spring 2007

Walnut Brook Restoration Project

Walnut Brook is a headwater stream of the First Neshanic River. The First, Second and Third Neshanic rivers join together to form the main stem of the Neshanic which flows to the South Branch of the Raritan River. The North Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council (RD&D) recently received funding from New Jersey Freshwater Wetlands Mitigation Council to undertake riparian restoration and create new wetlands along and near Walnut Brook in Raritan Township. Walnut Brook runs through Mine Brook Park and the Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance’s Dvoor Farm on the Route 12 circle. This new project will take place over the next 2 years; it continues efforts begun by the RC&D in Mine Brook Park in 2005.

The project is a cooperative effort between North Jersey RC&D and the following partner organizations:

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Hunterdon County Soil Conservation District

Princeton Hydro, LLC

Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance

Raritan Township

South Branch Watershed Association

Trout Unlimited

The project is a riparian restoration and will be concentrating on a specific length of Walnut Brook and the surrounding land. The project goal is to restore natural stream function and improve overall water quality. Part of the project will involve planting trees, shrubs and native grasses in areas immediately adjacent to the brook to strengthen its banks. Volunteers will be sought to assist with planting the trees and shrubs in the project area as soon as this fall and in spring 2008. The project will also include engineering work to redirect the flow of the stream to mitigate erosion and create wetland areas to help reduce flooding.

The health of the river ecosystem will be analyzed before the project starts, during construction and after project completion. Samples of river “critters” will be collected by volunteers and analyzed by a certified lab. This work will be organized by the South Branch Watershed Association (SBWA). Anyone interested in volunteering may call the Water Stewards contact below.

In parallel to efforts related to restoration of Walnut Brook, the Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance who owns the farm is initiating building repair and maintenance projects this spring. On May 6^th a “Clean Up Day” at the Farm will be held, when in addition to the planting of sunflowers, volunteers are needed to help with fence rail replacement, pruning and miscellaneous clean-up. Anyone interested in volunteering may call HLTA at the number below.




Walnut Brook Restoration Project Walnut Brook is a headwater stream of the First Neshanic River. The First, Second and Third Neshanic rivers join together to form the main stem of the Neshanic which flows to the South Branch of the Raritan River. The North Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council (RD&D) recently received funding from New Jersey Freshwater Wetlands Mitigation Council to undertake riparian restoration and create new wetlands along and near Walnut Brook in Raritan Township. Walnut Brook runs through Mine Brook Park and the Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance’s Dvoor Farm on the Route 12 circle. This new project will take place over the next 2 years; it continues efforts begun by the RC&D in Mine Brook Park in 2005. The project is a cooperative effort between North Jersey RC&D and the following partner organizations: Natural Resources Conservation Service Hunterdon County Soil Conservation District Princeton Hydro, LLC Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance Raritan Township South Branch Watershed Association Trout Unlimited The project is a riparian restoration and will be concentrating on a specific length of Walnut Brook and the surrounding land. The project goal is to restore natural stream function and improve overall water quality. Part of the project will involve planting trees, shrubs and native grasses in areas immediately adjacent to the brook to strengthen its banks. Volunteers will be sought to assist with planting the trees and shrubs in the project area as soon as this fall and in spring 2008. The project will also include engineering work to redirect the flow of the stream to mitigate erosion and create wetland areas to help reduce flooding. The health of the river ecosystem will be analyzed before the project starts, during construction and after project completion. Samples of river “critters” will be collected by volunteers and analyzed by a certified lab. This work will be organized by the South Branch Watershed Association (SBWA). Anyone interested in volunteering may call the Water Stewards contact below. In parallel to efforts related to restoration of Walnut Brook, the Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance who owns the farm is initiating building repair and maintenance projects this spring. On May 6^th a “Clean Up Day” at the Farm will be held, when in addition to the planting of sunflowers, volunteers are needed to help with fence rail replacement, pruning and miscellaneous clean-up. Anyone interested in volunteering may call HLTA at the number below. CONTACTS: Project Lead: Grace Messinger, North Jersey RC&D, 908-735-0733 Water Stewards: Ellen Cronan, SBWA, 908-782-0422, x15 Dvoor Farm Project Manager: Catherine Suttle, HLTA, 908-237-4582

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