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

Rockaway River Watershed
The Rockaway River emanates in Sussex County. As it travels through Morris County it confronts more
intensive land uses, water control structures, dischargers, and ultimately a water supply reservoir. State
surface water classifications reflect these diverse settings. Headwaters are classified as FW2-TM; a stretch
downstream from Washington Pond is FW2-TM(C1), and much of the remaining river is FW2-NT. The river
segment running through Berkshire Valley has the added protection of C1 designation.
From the headwaters to the Boonton reservoir the river is generally of good quality, deteriorating to fair
below. From Randolph to Boonton (above the reservoir) the river fully supports the aquatic life support
designated use (non-impaired). In Jefferson Township and below the reservoir, aquatic life support is partially
met (moderately impaired). The river partially supports swimmable use attainment as determined by fecal
coliform bacteria measurements.
Water quality in the upper Rockaway is generally considered good but degrades to fair below the reservoir
at Pine Brook due to elevated nutrients (inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus), sodium and lead, and copper (but
within standards). One sign of improvement has been a reduction of fecal coliform levels at the Pine Brook
monitoring station.
In the lower Rockaway, the Rockaway Valley Regional Sewage Authority (RVRSA) "is suspected of being
15
the prime source of nutrients, ammonia and depressed Dissolved Oxygen." Volumetrically, it is estimated
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that RVRSA "contributes up to 50% of the Rockaway's stream flow during extreme low-flow periods." Two
suspected pollutant sources include Sharkey's landfill in Par-Troy, and L.E. Carpenter in Wharton Borough. 17
Picatinny Arsenal, conversely, has eliminated some of its discharges.
Consistent with water quality trends, NPS of pollution are playing a greater role in the Rockaway River.
Typical nonpoint sources of pollution in the Rockaway, downstream from Dover, are impacts from
urban/suburban development. Construction activities, urban runoff from storm sewers and urban surfaces,
combine to cause siltation, elevated temperatures, and riparian vegetation destruction.
While the Rockaway River is heavily impacted from point and nonpoint sources as it courses through
urbanized areas, it nonetheless has tremendous potential for remediation (Katz, 1987). Friends of the
Rockaway River, a grassroots organization, has formulated a river corridor management plan (The Rockaway
River and Its Treasured Resources) which strives to enhance the corridor and associated wildlife habitat,
recreational access, and water quality.
The same group joined with NJ Trout Unlimited (a national conservation education organization) in restoring
a one-quarter mile stretch in McCarter Memorial Park, Denville Township. Utilizing bioremediation
techniques, trout habitat has been restored. Strategies to stop erosion and foster trout habitat include:
planting native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants in the riparian zone; placing mud sills along the
streambank; and using boulders and stones in the stream to deflect flow.
15
NJ DEP, 1992 Inventory III-266.
16
NJ DEP, 1992 Inventory III-266.
17
NJ DEP, 1996 Inventory 63.
A Natural Resource Management Guide
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