january 19, 2017 - new jersey · powerpoint presentation author: angela gorczyca created date:...

January 19, 2017

www.raritanheadwaters.org

Our Watershed 470 square miles: 43% of the Raritan Basin

located in 3 Counties: Hunterdon, Somerset & Morris: 3 of 7 Highlands Counties

includes all or parts of 39 municipalities

home to nearly 250,000 people

contains large areas of undeveloped, environmentally significant land

provides drinking water to more than 1.5 million citizens beyond the region into NJ’s urban areas

part of the Highlands Water Supply, which serves more than half NJ’s population

As headwater streams, water should be pristine

www.raritanheadwaters.org

Our Mission“Raritan Headwaters is on a mission to protect

clean water in the north and south branch region of the Raritan River through science, education, advocacy, land preservation, and

stewardship.”

www.raritanheadwaters.org

Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program

www.raritanheadwaters.org

Purpose for Stream Monitoring

Screen for impaired water bodies

Identify the source and severity of the problem

Detect trends in water quality over time

www.raritanheadwaters.org

Water Quality Rankings in 2016

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

No Data

www.raritanheadwaters.org

Water Quality Summary

Changes between 2015-16

# of sites

Remained Full Attainment 26 (42%)

Remained Non-Attainment 12 (19%)

Improved 7 (11%)

Declined 11 (18%)

New 5 (8%)

No Data 1 (2%)

Fair, 39%

Good, 48%

Excellent, 10%

Poor, 2%

No Data, 2%

www.raritanheadwaters.org

What if a stream is found to be impaired?

Educating the landowners

Advocating to local municipalities

Stewardship

If two years of data show continued impairment or degradation…

Chemical Testing

Nitrates

Phosphates

pH

Dissolved Oxygen

Turbidity

Conductivity

QUESTIONS?

Kristi MacDonaldScience DirectorKMacDonald@RaritanHeadwaters.org(908) 234-1852 x322

Angela Gorczyca Surface Water Specialist AGorczyca@RaritanHeadwaters.org (908) 234-1852 x315