A Natural Resource Management Guide for the County of Morris A ...

Six - Pequannock River Watershed Dischargers
Table
MUNICIPALITY RECEIVING WATERS
FACILITY
Water Dept. Butler Kakeout Brook
Butler
Twp. Jefferson Mitts Pond
Jefferson
Maintenance Shop Riverdale Pequannock
Org
Automotive Parts Riverdale Pequannock
Pan
School Kinnelon Pequannock
Stonybrook
Industries Riverdale Unnamed Trib.
Raia
Bridges Sewerage Lincoln Park Pompton
Two
Homes STP Pequannock Pompton
Laurel
Plaza Shopping Pequannock Pompton
Plains
Lady of the Magn. Kinnelon Butler Reservoir
Our
Bd. of Ed. Kinnelon Trib. to Pequannock
Kinnelon
New Jersey 1992 State Water Quality Inventory Report, 1993, Pg. III - 349-373.
Source:
Pequannock River Watershed
The Pequannock River, beginning its travels in Sussex County, flows in a southeasterly direction, forming
the north and northeast border of Morris County. Coursing its way through chiefly forested and protected
water supply lands, the Pequannock encounters population centers in Butler and Riverdale.
Overall water quality is good becoming fair during summer months when stream temperatures are elevated.
Biological monitoring (macroinvertebrate assessments) indicates non-impaired waters while upstream waters
are assessed as moderately impaired. Most of the river attains the “aquatic life support” designated use with
the upper most portion partially supporting this use. Phosphorous, copper and lead levels are elevated. Fecal
coliform levels are adequate to fully support the swimmable use.
The NJ Surface Water Quality Standards list the Pequannock as FW2-TM for most of its course, with an
isolated stretch downstream of the Macopin Reservoir as FW2-TP(C1). Feeder streams are classified as
FW2-TP(C1) and waters within the Newark water supply area are classified as FW-1.
Point sources of pollution regulated by the NJPDES are listed below:
“The principal source of nonpoint source pollution in the Pequannock River watershed is urban/suburban
development ... In general, water quality declines as one travels downstream, especially as one passes through
the Butler-Bloomingdale area. Reported pollution sources include increased runoff from roads, building
construction, urban surfaces, storm sewers and surface mines. Additional problems below Bloomingdale
include channelization, streambank modification, and the removal of riparian vegetation. All this has
contributed to high water temperatures, silt loads, and organic pollution.” 22
Waterbodies
Of the many lakes, ponds and reservoirs, the major impoundments are the Lake Kinnelon and Kakeout,
Charlottesburg and Oak Ridge Reservoirs.
22
NJ DEP, 1996 Inventory, 33.
100
Surface Water