NJWSA Enhances Buffers at Spruce Run Reservoir

Through the River-Friendly Business program and other initiatives, the NJ Water Supply Authority (NJWSA) is implementing a series of buffer improvements at the administration facility on Spruce Run Reservoir.  During 2004 and early 2005, NJWSA identified several areas around the reservoir to implement no-mow or reduced mowing.  Certain areas must be mowed for security reasons, or in order to monitor the water supply facilities (dams, pipelines, etc.)

Two areas were chosen for additional enhancements during 2005.  The first, an approximately six-acre area between the administration building and the reservoir was formerly maintained as lawn and mowed on a regular basis (e.g. weekly).  Early in the 2004 growing season, we decided to leave this area unmowed through the summer;  it was mowed in early 2005 as recommended by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 

By leaving the area unmowed, it provides additional filtration of runoff to the reservoir, and provides wildlife habitat for preferred species, while deterring certain nuisance species, such as Canada geese.    Other species that utilize this area include groundhogs, deer, fox and various species of bird.  After NJWSA stopped mowing this field, several staff members commented that the Canada goose population appeared to have decreased from previous years.

In early 2004, NJWSA received funding from NRCS through the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) to establish native grasses in this area.  Native grasses, which will be planted in spring 2006, will provide higher quality wildlife habitat and will continue to provide a vegetated buffer adjacent to the reservoir.  

During 2005, NJWSA began mowing areas along the employee access road (to the south of the administration building) on a reduced schedule.  A 12-acre field in that area contains brush, maintained lawn and planted conifers.  In April, the NJWSA grounds staff planted 400 red oaks, red maples, tulip poplar and silky dogwood to replace dead trees and increase the vegetative diversity.  In 2006, we’ll remove the brush adjacent to the reservoir and establish native grasses.  As with the area adjacent to the administration building, the native grasses, along with the trees planted in 2005, will provide higher quality wildlife habitat and a more efficient buffer to the reservoir.

Back to Basin Bulletin