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

Black River
Surface Water
Introduction
Water resources have inspired us to think of our natural resources as a system. Surface waters,
compartmentalized into watersheds, have provided the basis for regional thinking, forcing a cultural shift from
political boundary mentality to coalition around a central vital and dynamic natural resource.
Water bodies (Plate 8) serve as a kind of circulatory system, providing nutrients, and metabolizing waste
materials. Wildlife relies on waterways for these functions, as well as shelter and a place to rest and breed.
Humans enjoy the added benefits of recreation, transportation and economic opportunities.
Surface waters’ surrounding microhabitat extends to vegetation, wildlife, and soils. Variation of these
elements are reflected in the many "faces" of surface water: rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, swamps, marshes,
and bogs. Each has a contributing watershed with specific characteristics. In watershed management these
specific characteristics need to be recognized. This ecosystem or watershed approach is necessary to
achieving and maintaining the health of the organism.
Water Quality Overview
Common threats to water quality include total and fecal coliform bacteria, nutrients, depressed dissolved
oxygen levels, pH fluctuations, siltation, road salts, oil and grease, and elevated stream temperatures. NJ
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) found all assessed freshwater lakes to be either “threatened
1
or in a state of active deterioration (eutrophication).” It is suspected that nonpoint sources including
“construction activity, agricultural and suburban runoff, and failing septic systems are contributing the
2
degrading pathogens, nutrients and siltation.”
1
NJ DEP, New Jersey 1996 State Water Quality Inventory Report, 1996, I-4.
2
NJ DEP, 1996 Inventory.
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