IMPEDIMENTS to the SPAWNING SUCCESS NY/NJ HARBOR WATERSHED

Transcription

1 IMPEDIMENTS to the SPAWNING SUCCESS of ANADROMOUS FISH IN TRIBUTARIES or tbe NY/NJ HARBOR WATERSHED Davidson' s Mill Pond Dam - Raritan River A research paper prepared by Susan Durkas for the American Littoral Society Baykeeper as an overview of the field investigation conducted by Susan Durkas and Eric Goldfarb in June -- August, This study has been made possible through a grant from the Hudson River Improvement Fund.

2 Impediments to the spawning Success of ADadromous Fish in Tributaries of the RY/HJ Barbor watershed A Report by Susan J. Durkas American Littoral Society Sandy Hook Highlands, NJ (908) FAX (908) A publication of the American Littoral Society copyrighted September 1992

3 ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Index of illustrations.... Executive summary... PrOJec. t' In t ro d uc t' Ion... NY,IN"J Harbor regional map.... Anadromous fish Definition Life cycle Species Importance Impediments Definition Primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary defined Types: Dams/spillways Tide gates Culverts Concrete beds Water quality: temperature, salinity, ph, dissolved oxygen Otherfactors Documented impediments FIS h passage Imp. Itt' emen a Ion op t' lods... 8 Impediment removal More rigorous water quality standards Netting fish below impediment and placing them above Fish ladder construction Restoration plans... Fish ladders: Shadow Lake Dam Swimming River Reservoir Dam Dundee Dam Other types of restoration plans Herring Heaves, spring 1992 Conclusive statement..... Appendix Guideline... III iv Classification tables, regional and sample maps, field sketches, and descriptions of primary impediment sites, by drainage region I. Sandy Hook Bay II. Raritan Bay III. Arthur Kill IV. Newark Bay Explanation of filing system... Site visitation methodology/water quality test description... Sample water quality test sheet... References... Editing... Other acknowledgements

4 iii INDEX OF ILLUSTRATIONS Photograph 1:... Davidson's Mill Pond Dam, Raritan River... cover Map 1:... NY/NJ Harbor major drainage regions delineation... 1 Figure 1:... Shad/herring life cycle... 2 Figure 2:... Anadromous fish species... 3 Graph 1:... River herring landings on eastern US coast, Graph 2:... Pie graph of impediment types... 4 Figure 3:... Primary, secondary, and tertiary terms explained... 4 Photograph 2:... Weston's Mill Pond Dam, Raritan River... 5 Photograph 3:... Losen Slote Creek tide gate, Hackensack River... 5 Photograph 4:... Poricy Pond culverts, Navesink River... 6 Photograph 5:... Elizabeth River concrete bed... 6 Figure 4:... Denil Fish l..adder... 8 Photograph 6:... Herring Heave at Shadow l..ake, Navesink River Appendix I. Sandy Hook Bay Table 1:... Classification of impediments in Sandy Hook Bay Map 2 :... Drainage region, with primary impediment locations Photograph 7: Shadow l..ake Dam, Navesink River Map 3 :... A. sample of Navesink.River impediments...: Map 4:... FIeld sketch of FranklIn l..ake, Shrewsbury RIver II. Raritan Bay Table 2:... Classification of impediments in Raritan Bay Map 5 :... Drainage region, with primary impediment locations Photograph 8: New Market Pond Dam, Raritan River Map 6:... A sample of Keyport Harbor impediments III. Arthur Kill Table 3:... Classification of impediments in the Arthur Kill Map 7 :... Drainage region, with primary impediment locations Photograph 9: Milton Lake Dam, Rahway River Map 8 :... A sample of West Staten Island impediments Map 9:... Field sketch of Richmond Creek, West Staten Island IV. Newark Bay Table 4:... Classification of impediments in Newark Bay Map 10 :... Drainage region, with primary impediment locations Map 11:... A sample of Hackensack River impediments... 27

5 iv EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A field study of tributaries of the NY INJ Harbor yielded a substantial number of dams, tide gates, and other obstacles to anadromous fish migration. These blockages have decreased the number of successful spawning runs, and have adversely affected anadromous fish populations and stream ecology. The American Littoral Society is proposing to implement solutions at impediment sites where a positive effect to anadromous fish would result. Restoration plans mclude removal of unnecessary dams, construction of fish ladders to allow dam bypass, physically placing fish over dams to allow them to reach spawning habitat, upgrade of water quality, and cleanup of streams to increase their biological viability. The following rivers are being targeted for immediate run restoration: 1. Navesink River 2. Passaic River 3. Rahway River The project is being done in phases which will now be described: Phase I (June June 1992) -- field investigation and development of restoration plans. A total of over 50 sites of impediments to the spawning success of anadromous fish in the NY/NJ Harbor study area have been found and documented, on approximately 40 river tributaries. In addition to presenting the findings of field work, the objective of this report is to explain the life cycle of anadromous fish and their importance, how their populations have decreased primarily due to the existence of impediments to their spawning, and the need for their restoration. The different types of impediments found are presented, and also the options available to reestablish spawning runs. The appendix briefly describes all of the first impediments documented in the study which were met when travelling upstream. Restoration projects plans are being recommended for selected sites where anadromous spawning success is highly probable due to the existence of typical spawning habitat. Fish ladder construction has been recommended for three sites; anadromous fish will be placed above the impediments at these sites prior to fish ladder construction and also at other sites, and the progress of these plans to date is given. Additional sites have been selected for implementing other methods to restore runs, including projects focusing on water quality improvement and debris collection. Phase II ( ) -- execution of the restoration plans developed in phase I. The three sites for which fish ladders are suggested will be addressed. At other sites where fish ladder construction may take place in the future, netting and obtaining anadromous fish and placing them above impediments will be attempted. Continued water quality monitoring will take f.lace, and stream cleanup will occur where debris is excessive. At the conclusion of phase I, an additional summary report will be written concerning the development of the fish passages and the progress of the other restoration programs. It is important to note that this plan is to restore indigenous species, not to introduce new species. A long range goal of this project is to generate public awareness as to the importance of stream health, and to encourage local groups to "adopt" a stream by maintaining its biological viability through strengthening anadromous fish stocks. Additionally, the American Littoral Society is hoping that other agencies act on the restoration plans recommended in this report, and that this project may serve as a model in the restoration of stream health and anadromous fish runs on other national waterways.

6 1 PROJECTINTRODUCTlON The major source to the NY INJ Harbor is the Hudson River; other important tributaries (starting from the southeast edge of the study area and moving clockwise) include the Shrewsbury, Navesink, Raritan, Rahway, Elizabeth, Passaic, and Hackensack Rivers. Additionally, there are minor streams on Staten Island, on the southern shore of Raritan Bay, and on the western shore of the Arthur Kill. Historically, anadromous fish spawning runs were common in the Harbor. Their populations have decreased due to poor stream conditions, including an increase of obstacles to migration. Anadromous fish are still found on the Hudson River and several New Jersey streams, struggling until their runs are blocked. Restoration would improve these conditions, and would result in healthier streams. Furthermore, anadromous juveniles would return to being an important forage species for larger fish, and their contribution to the fisheries would also become evident. For these reasons, the Baykeeper decided to develop a program to help restore anadromous runs to Harbor tributaries. Map-l NY/NJ HARBOR westchester CO.

7 2 ANADROMOUS FISH The term anadromous is used to describe those species offish which normally reside in saltwater ( >30 ppt ), but which migrate to fresh or nearly freshwater to spawn. In these freshwater streams and ponds, females lay sticky eggs which are fertilized by males and hatch about a week later, the, duration varying with local water temperature. The spawning migration for the NY/NJ Harbor area occurs in late spring/early summer, when sexually mature adults (4 yrs. and older) move upstream. The life cycle diagram shown below applies to shad and both types of herring (alewife and blueback). Shad/herring life cycle SPAWNING AREA,. ( ~ :. tgjis -( B::.::.:l3.1I: oaitwater(>30 ppl) Figure'l Individual anadromous fish return to the stream where they hatched by a process known as imprinting, through which a fish recognizes chemical cues specific to its natal stream. In this way, fish seek out the stream where they hatched successfully themselves to ensure the survival of their own young. Although most adult herrings return to sea quickly after spawning, juveniles generally spend several months in the streams. However, by November most herring fry have left freshwater, returning in about four years to spawn themselves as sexually mature adults. Unfortunately, less than 20% of the adult shad which reach spawning habitat return to the saltwater, as death naturally follows spawning for this species [Roberts, 1985]. While herrings are known to go far out to sea, striped bass remain in the safety of the estuary throughout the year, spending the winter in the brackish waters of the lower Hudson River (Haverstraw Bay), and migrating upstream in April to begin spawning. As with most livmg systems, adaptations have been made in response to an everchanging environment. Alewives have become successfully landlocked in some instances, never entering the sea. In the Great Lakes, tributaries are used as spawning streams, and anadromous fish return to the lakes to reside for the remainder of the year. Additionally, although alewives prefer open lakes for spawning, they now also spawn successfully in slowmoving streams. While present in tributaries, juvenile anadromous fish provide a valuable food source for the larger freshwater fish which live there. Thus, a decrease in anadromous fish populations has consequently caused slight decreases in other fish populations which normally feed upon them.

8 3 The most common anadromous fish of the NY/NJ Harbor study area is a type of herring known as alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), and is therefore the species targetted for restoration. Thus, anadromous fish discussion in this paper is focused on alewife. Other anadromous fish species of the NY INJ Harbor include blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis), striped bass (Morone saxatilis), and American shad (Alosa sapidissima). alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis) striped bass (Morone saxatilis) American shad (11osa sapidissima) These migratory fish were once a significant contribution to the recreational and commercial fisheries of New York and New Jersey, but decreasing populations have affected their viability as sport and commercial fishes. The following table illustrates the decrease in reported commercial river herring landings along the eastern US coast, the dashed line showing offshore harvest by foreign fishing vessels [Richkus and DiNardo, 1984]. These decreases have had a detrimental effect, not only on the respective state and national economies, but also on the ecology of the rivers involved. Graph 1 "'ḅ... >< 8 VI ~ 0 ~ IIro) Im 5(m 400J JOOO * Incomplete totals YEAR

9 4 IMPEDIMENTS An impediment is any factor which prevents migrating fish from being able to arrive at suitable spawning habitat. One may occur either in the form ofa physical barrier such as a dam, or a non-physical parameter such as water quality, pollutants, debris, or siltation. An impediment may be natural, as in the case of a waterfall, but most are due to the interference of. '. Culverts -. man with the environment and consequential habitat deterioration. As can be Cone rivbd seen by the pie graph representation to the right, the most common type is the control of waterflow through construction of dams/spillways, tide gates, and culverts. In the NY/NJ Harbor, there are many of these stream obstructions. Graph 2 Tide gates - 18%f;::}'::;' "?:~. >;,~~.;:.~:~,.c,:~~<.,:<,' qual- 20% Impediments are described by the order of their occurrence on a river or tributary. The first site of an impediment which is met when travelling upstream is termed primary. The second impediment site on the same river or tributary is secondary, the third is tertiary, and a fourth quaternary. A section of the Bound Brook branch of the Raritan River is shown below to illustrate an actual example of a primary, secondary, and tertiary series within the study area. Arrows indicate direction ofwater flow, as this tributary drains left, to the Raritan River. New Market Pond Dam PRIMARY IMPEDIMENT Cedar Brook Lake TERTIARY IMPEDIMENT Figure' 3 Spring Lake Dam SECONDARY IMPEDIMENT

10 5 TYPES OF IMPEDIMENTS Dams/spillways Drinking water reservoirs are created by the construction of a dam by a water utility. Hydroelectric companies erect dams, so that the overflow spins turbines to generate electricity. Dams are commonly built to create lakes for aesthetic purposes, as in county and state parks. In other cases, dams serve recreational purposes in the creation of a lake to be used for swimming, boating, and fishing. weston I s Mill Pond Dam Raritan River Tide eates are constructed to restrain natural flood tides by blocking the upstream flow of saltwater. In some instances, an earthen berm has been placed to serve the same purpose. In Cheesequake State Park, a tide gate has been placed to decrease freshwater drainage into an area. This has allowed formation of a freshwater lake above the tide gate to be used for swimming, and the creation of an extensive salt marsh below the tide gate where many species of rare marsh wildlife may live. In a futile attempt to control mosquito populations by draining marshes which were thought to be a breeding area for mosquitoes, tide gates and drainage ditches have been placed in marshes such as the Hackensack River Meadowlands. Losen Slote Creek tide gate - Hackensack River

11 6 A culvert is a pipe which facilitates subsurface drainage. Culverts are placed beneath road and railways to prevent flooding of thoroughfares during times of heavy drainage. Culverts are also used to drain local areas into rivers and ponds. Poricy Pond culverts - Navesink River A concrete bed is constructed to channelize waterflow. In natural streams, pools and eddies are formed in which fish rest; a concrete bed does not allow these resting areas to be produced, and the stream may become impassable to fish.. Water is channeled in a concrete bed to alleviate local flooding. A concrete bed may be constructed to allow for dense development by changing the course of a waterway as needed. Elizabeth River concrete bed - Elizabeth River

12 7 Water quality is important to anadromous fish, as spawning requires specific ranges of temperature, salinity, ph, and dissolved oxygen. Thus, measurement of these may uncover the existence of unseen impediments; as a result, these parameters and others were quantitatively measured in a water quality test which was conducted routinely at each of the 50 impediment sites. For the purposes of this study, poor water quality includes the measurement or presence of any parameter adversely affecting the spawning of anadromous fish. Temperature -- Major oil refineries and electric and gas companies use river water for cooling processes needed for operation. Water is extracted from a river, used to absorb heat, and returned to the river at measurably higher temperatures. This is termed thermal pollution and is justifiably labelled as an impediment -- even though warm water attracts anadromous fish, it adversely affects their spawning and migration cycles, and also reduces the amount of oxygen which can be held by the water. Salinity -- Refineries and companies often extract water used from an upstream area and return it downstream, to an area of saltier water. This decreases local salinity and destroys gradual salinity transitions -- fish have difficulty adapting to these abrupt changes. ph -- The soil and rock type naturally found in an area may harmfully alter water ph (the measure of acidity). For example, high levels of iron sulfide found in a drainage area will cause acidic (low ph) water conditions, stopping anadromous fish from entering the stream. Large amounts of acid precipitation (acid rain) can further lower stream ph. Dissolved oxyaen -- Sewage authorities discharge into waterbodies effluent, containing a high amount of nutrients which causes local increases in algae growth. Over time, the algae dies, and dissolved oxygen of the water is used in the natural decayin~ process; the result is a depletion in the oxygen available to anadromous fish. FollOWIng exceptional rainfall, drainage into sewers increases and combined sewer overflows occur. This further magnifies the depletion of oxygen, as untreated, raw sewage floods organics into the water system. There are other factors which are results of human interference. Waterways are commonly overcrossed by roadways, causing non-point runoff to be exceptional. In residential and agricultural areas, high amounts of chemical pesticide and fertilizer draining into streams are other types of detrimental runoff. Debris, from cigarettes to shopping carts, easily accumulates in rivers as it is carried downstream with water flow. With the modification of landforms, sedimentation and siltation increase, decreasing the clarity of streams and ponds. The drawing of water into a plant also causes direct damage to fish populations. Adults are overtaken by the great force ofwater and are drawn to the filtering screen (impinaement), and eggs and larvae flow through the screen and are destroyed (entrainment). DOCUMENTED IMPEDIMENTS During the study, over 50 impediment sites were documented, approximately 40 being primary. The major drainage regions of the study area are delineated on the NY/NJ Harbor map included at the beginning of this paper. The appendix describes all documented primary impediments, and the corresponding tables and maps show impediment locations by drainage region. Smaller scale maps and field sketches show selected river systems and impediment sites with greater detail. To ensure consistency in the study, a self-developed guideline was followed during the survey of each impediment site -- this site methodology is also included in the appendix.

13 8 FISH PASSAGE IMPLEMENTATION OPTIONS Impediment removal is the priority at sites where a dam permit has expired or its purpose is no longer met. More rigorous water quality standards would result in healthier water. For example, water used for cooling purposes and then discharged should not exceed the maximum temperature limit set by state and federal agencies in the discharge permits issued. Runoff can be naturally filtered through marshes, or contained by floatin~ booms and skimmed off the water surface for other proper disposal. Sedimentation and siltation can be minimized by controlling erosion during construction. Stream cleanup needs to take place in tributaries where debris is excessive. Herring Heaves - Anadromous fish can be netted below impediments and placed above them during spawning season. In some cases, anadromous fish may be obtained from either the NJ DEPE, NJ Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife, and/or other lakes and rivers to be placed above impediments to spawn. Through this process, anadromous fish hatchins from these areas will return to the same areas approximately four years later to spawn. ThIs process is especially useful at a site of future fish ladder construction. In spring 1992, the American Littoral Society coordinated two herring heaves at the Shadow Lake Dam on the Navesink River; the success of each is summarized towards the end of the main body of this paper. In future spawning seasons, The American Littoral Society will again be looking for fishing groups, sport fishermen, and other interested individuals for volunteer help with this part of the restoration project. Fish ladder construction allows fish to bypass a structural impediment. A fish ladder is a structure which is placed alongside of or directly on an impediment at a gentle slope, each end having access to and connecting the waterbodies -- one end below the impediment, the other above. It consists of a series ofvertical plates which are designed to slow the downward flow ofwater to a speed passable by anadromous fish. Consequently, the suitable spawning habitat above the impediment becomes accessible to anadromous fish. Fish ladders have been used for restoring historic anadromous spawning runs in other river systems with much success, resulting in an increase in anadromous as well as other fish populations, and an overall increase in river system health in general. For these reasons, fish ladder construction is being recommended for three sites in the NYINJ Harbor study area. Denil Fish Ladder Figure 4

14 9 RESTORATION PLANS The American Littoral Society is recommending restoration plans for river systems in the study area which are conducive to supportin~ anadromous fish spawning. Tributary viability has been determined through examination of the parameters affecting success, including temperature, salinity, ph, dissolved oxygen, presence of pollution and debris, bottom consistency, etc. Three of the impediment sites selected are dams at which fish ladder construction would be the most viable method for restoring runs. For this reason, the American Littoral Society will be working in conjunction with the NJ State Department of Environmental Protection and Energy (NJ DEPE) and the owners of these dams to implement fish ladder construction. At other impediment sites, different methods to restore runs will be implemented. The three sites for which fish ladder construction is recommended will now be described, the dates indicating time of site visitation. Descriptions of the remaining primary impediment sites are included in the appendix. PROPOSED SITES FOR FISH LADDER CONSTRUCTION Shadow Lake Dam -- Navesink River; Lincroft, NJ. (6/26/91) Height 16 feet, width 65 feet the impediment is a semi-circular spillway with a considerable amount of overflow. Above the spillway, recreation such as swimming, nonpower boating, and fishing are allowed. At another corner of the lake, there is an additional, smaller spillway over which water flows only during periods of high rainfall; tidal waters do not penetrate up to this point. Below the spillway, the main stream is rocky, weaving its way through a tidal area (26 ppt salinity) of common reed grass. This site once had alewife and herring runs [Zich, 1977; Byrne, 1986J. In May 1973, spring 1976, and spring 1982, both adult alewife and blueback herring were obtained by sampling rzich, 1977; Byrne, 1986J. In the spring of 1982, eggs and larvae were also found rbyrne, 1S186]. In May 1992, American Littoral Society volunteers netted six blueback herring below the dam and placed them in the lake above. Fish ladder construction is being suggested for this site, as it has also been in the past rbyrne, 1986]. Hydraulic engineers with the US Fish and Wildlife Service have prepared a suitable fish ladder design for this dam. The Bureau of Marine Fisheries has already fabricated modular units for the ladder, but the structure has not yet been installed, due to delays concerning dam ownership and needed repair. Swimming River Reservoir Dam.. Navesink River; Middletown, NJ. (6/25, 7/1, 8/2/91) Height 43 feet, width 400 feet. Originally, only a small river (Swimming River) flowed through this area, and no lake was present. However, with the need for a community drinking water reservoir, the New Jersey-American Water Company blocked the natural flow of water with a high earthen bank. This has created an extensive freshwater lake above the bank, which is now further restrained by a substantial concrete spillway. Carol Storms, water quality superintendent with the water company, said that the lake IS stocked with perch and bass, but boating, swimming, and fishing are not allowed. Below the spillway is tidal; fish are present and the bottom is rocky. Downstream, at Normandy Road, there is a series of eight culverts. These do not appear to be an impediment, as water flows through them freely at both high and low tides. By report, this is an historically confirmed alewife spawning site and herring run rzich, 1977; Byrne, 1986). Adult blueback herring were found in May 1975 at Normandy Road, and alewife in spnng 1976 at the base of the dam [Zich, 1977]. In spring 1982, adult alewife were found again, along with eggs and larvae [Byrne, 1986]. Fish ladder construction is being suggested for this site, as it has also been in the past [Byrne, 1986].

15 10 Dundee Dam ~- Passaic River; Garfield, NJ. (7/24/91) Height 22 feet, width 450 feet. The impediment is a stepped dam, which is owned by the Dundee Dam Hydroelectric Power Company/American Hydropower Company. A canal forks off of the Passaic River at the dam location, and the USGS map does not show rejoining of this canal with the Passaic River downstream. At the mouth of the canal, a grating separates out large pieces of debris. Further downstream, an earthen structure extends across the canal to join the ground which separates the canal from the main river. On the piece ofland spanning the canal is the service shack of the hydroelectric company. Downstream of the shack on the canal stem, a subsurface upwelling indicates that this is most likely where the water is returned from the turbines used to generate electricity. Downstream of the dam, the main river branch is shallow and wide. The river bottom is very rocky, and a small wooded island is present. There is an accumulation of debris both above the grating on the canal and at the crest of the dam structure on the main branch. Debris is also found along the eastern downstream bank below the dam. Cleanup will need to initiate restoration plans. Fishing is very common and successful both above and below the dam. In past studies, the Passaic River has been reported as an historic site for spawning runs [Zich, 1977]. Due to the viability of the Passaic River, fish ladder construction is recommended for this site. Much farther above the Dundee Dam are the Passaic Falls. The hydroelectric plant at the Dundee Dam is a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) exemptee, which includes the provision that a structure must be installed and maintained to allow for up and down stream fish bypass of the dam structure. There are several other violations ofthis exemption, and the American Littoral Society is currently working with state and federal agencies to correct these violations, and to have the exemptee provide a fish ladder. PROPOSED SITES FOR OTHER 1YPES OF RESTORATION PlANS Many other sites in the study area are being recommended for other methods to help restore runs. The American Littoral Society will be coordinating cleanup programs with volunteer groups to help restore streams which are currently littered with debris, including Claypit Creek on the Navesink River, Lake Lefferts at Keyport Harbor, and Milton Lake on the Rahway River. At Lake Lefferts and Rahway River Park, anadromous fish will be netted and placed above the dam impediments during the spawning season in spring Another site of interest is the Saddle River tributary of the Passaic River. Saddle River is currently the subject of a US Army channelization project which is still in the proposal stage. Mitigation plans for fish habitat include the presence of a pilot channel throughout the project area, the construction ofscourholes with riprap lining, and instream habitat structures. The American Littoral Society will be working with the Army Corps of Engineers in considering the expansion of these and other fish habitat allowance plans. HERRING HEAVES, SPRING 1992 In the spring of 1992, run restoration began at Shadow Lake on the Navesink River when two attempts were made to net anadromous fish below the dam and placed them above the impediment. Late April -- A group of local fishermen took the first venture during noon of a high tide. Two dip nets and a seme net were used in samyling, but no anadromous fish were found. No herring were present during a duration 0 approximately three hours, but hundreds of two-inch elvers Uuvenile eels) were seen crawling over the dam. Eels are catadromous; that is, they are born in saltwater and travel upstream as juveniles to live in freshwater as adults.

16 11 May 9 -- the second attempt occurred in late afternoon during outgoing tide. As small schools of blueback herring concentrated in eddies present at the base of the dam overflow t six were attained using two dip nets; use of a seme net proved unsuccessful. The six herring secured were placed in large t white plastic buckets and released approximately 30 yards above the dam. Thus, a total of six blueback herring were allowed bypass of the Shadow Lake Dam during the spawning season of In addition t valuable experience was gained, strengthening the success offuture herring heaves and other run restoration plans. CONCLUSIVE STATEMENT In summation, anadromous fish are present in the NYINJ Harbor t but impediments on rivers and streams block their upstream migration. Suitable habitat cannot be reached t and their spawning success has been greatly limited. The American Littoral Society believes that spawnin~ runs can be restored in many of the NYINJ Harbor tributaries following the implementation of suitable restoration plans at most impediment sites. Of the 40 primary sites documented in this study, different methods to restore runs have been suggested according to the parameters of each specific site. Various restoration plans include fish ladder construction t netting and placing anadromous fish above impediments during the spawning season, strengthening water quality standards, and cleaning up streams. While the results of fish ladder use and placing netted fish over the dam to spawn will be easily observable, those ofwater quality improvement and stream cleanup will not be as tan~ble. However t all of these plans are important t integral parts of stream and run restoration. These plans will increase stream viability by improving overall system health. As a result t suitabfe spawning habitat will be returned to anadromous fish. To achieve these results t the suggested restoration plans must be implemented.

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18 13 APPENDIX The main body of the appendix addresses each of the four drainage regions (Sandy Hook, Raritan Bay, Arthur Kill, and Newark Bay) separately. For each drainage region, there is a table which classifies the impediments by type, a map showing the location of every impediment which is believed to be primary within the region, a smaller scale map showing a section of the region in greater detail, and desciptions of every documented site thought to be primary, two ofwhich include a field sketch. Beyond this section, the specifics of the project are discussed, such as explanation of the filing system, site methodology, and a description of the water quality test. Impediment Classification Tables These tables classify the types of impediments found at each primary site. At some sites, there is more than one type of impediment, and the tables show all of the types found. Due to the purpose similarity, the presence of an earthen berm is included in the 'tide gates' category, noted by the word 'berm'. Tide gates which are breached at high tide are not considered an impediment and are not included in the tables. The 'culverts' category includes only those which carry a main waterway beneath a road or rail way; it does not include culverts which drain local areas. The category 'poor water quality' regards only factors which adversely affect the spawning of anadromous fish, such as thermal pollution, salinity disturbances, irregular ph, sewage effluent discharge, pollution by runoff, exceptional debris, water turbidity due to sedimentatioi) and SIltation, complete drainage of a water body, extensive water intake/outflow by a plant, impingement and entrainment, storm sewer overflow, and any general pollution. In some cases, poor water quality can be reversed following restoration such as stream cleanup. Sample Maps A section has been chosen in each of the four drainage regions to show a selected area in greater detail. The maps are not necessarily designed to show all of the tributaries to its main river or harbor system, and some of the impediments on the systems shown may be located on a section not included on the map; for clarity, the title box of each sample map lists the impediment sites shown on that sample map. Included on the sample maps are associated field notes concerning local impediments, proposed run restoration plans and those already initiated, and other notable facts. The acronym 'WQT' denotes the location at which a water quality test has been conducted on the date shown. The direction of north is towards the top of the page for all of the sample maps, except for the Arthur Kill, where north is to the left. Primary Impediment Site Descriptions The site descriptions are text summaries of notes taken in the field, including relevant information such as any other impediments located on the same tributary, or information gained from individuals or otner reports concerning the site. The viability of run restoration is stated, any specific restoration plans which have been formulated, and the rogress of those already initiated. Field sketches are included with two of the descriptions, WQT' again denoting a water quality test. The dates preceding site descriptions indicate time of site visitation. The sites are arranged by drainage, and are referred to using the following labelling system: I. MAJOR DRAINAGE REGION A. MAIN RIVER SYSTEM Branch of river, if any 1. Impediment site

19 14 I. SANDY HOOK BAY Shadow Lake Dam - Navesink River Table 1: Classification of Primary Impediments in the Sandy Hook Bay Drainage Region CONCRETE POOR DAMS! TIDE RIVER WATER TRIBUTARY SYSTEM SPILLWAYS GATES CULVERTS BEDS QUALITY Shrewsbury River Franklin Lake Dam X Wampum Park Dam X X X Little Silver Creek X Navesink River Swimming River Res Dam X Shadow Lake Dam X Poricy Pond X Lakeside Ave Pond X X X Hartshorne Rd Pond X

20 MAP 3 15 I. SANDY HOOK BAY Navesink River Swimming River Res Dam Shadow Lake Dam Poricy Pond w. FRONT *planned site for fish ladder ".".-construction ~ :I a:: o z 8 culvertswt an impediment at high or low tides

21 16 I. SANDY HOOK BAY A. SHREWSBURY RIVER 1. Branchport Creek h Franklin Lake Dam (7/1/91) Water flows continuously down a short concrete spillway and into a natural stream. There are also two culverts draining into the stream; draining from one culvert was an unidentified red liquid. Downstream, the creek passes beneath Route 36 in a culvert. This culvert may be the primary impediment, the Franklin Lake Dam being secondary, but the culvert beneath Route 36 was not inspected. FlE..Lt> NOTES Map 4 hero", FRAN~ LI N LAKE. DAM lm'pe.d\fv\e..nt.sae v;s \ttrt~l:)n 0'7101 J~L 2. Wampum Brook -- Wampum Park Dam (7/1/91) In addition to a dam structur~ for the creation of a park lake, additional impediments are found in the form of pollution and debris. The aquatic plants found in the lake had leaves which were brown and curled. The local health department has put up a sign stating not to eat any fish caught from the lake. The spillway allows water to flow into a lengthy concrete bed which extenps from the lake to the other side of Route 35, where the stream bed becomes natural Run restoration will not be implemented at this site due to unhealthy water conditions. 3. Little Silver Creek -- northwest inlet (8/20/91). The impediment is a small, wooden wall which stands only one foot above the water level at high tide. The stream is shallow and lined with wooded vegetation. Upstream, a secondary impediment is a culvert which runs beneath Rumson Road. B. NAVESINK RIVER 1. Swimming River Reservoir Dam (6/25, 7/1, 8/2/91) Originally, only a small river (Swimming River) flowed through this area and no lake was present. However, with the need for a community drinking water reservoir, the New Jersey-American Water Company blocked the natural flow of water with a high earthen berm. This created an extensive freshwater lake above the bank, which is now further restrained by a substantial concrete spillway. Carol Storms, water quality superintendent for the water company, said that the lake is stocked with perch and bass, but boating, swimming, and fishing are not allowed. Below the spillway is tidal; fish are present, the bottom rocky.

22 Downstream, at Normandy Road, there is a series of eight culverts. These do not appear to be an impediment, as water flows through them freely at both high and low tides. B~ report, the river historically is confirmed to have had alewife spawning and a herring run Zieh, 1977; Byrne, 1986]. Adult blueback herring were found in May 1975 at Normandy oad, and alewife in spring 1976 at the dam base [Zich, 1977]. In spring 1982, adult alewife were found again, along with eggs and larvae [Byrne, 1986]. Fish ladder construction is being suggested for this site, as it has also been in the past [Byrne, 1986]. 2. Swamp Brook -- Shadow Lake Dam (6/26/91) The impediment is a semi-circular spillway, with a considerable amount of overflow. Above the spillway, recreation such as swimming, nonf.0wer boating, and fishing are allowed. At another corner of the lake, there is an additiona, smaller spillway over which water flows only during periods of high rainfall; tidal waters do not penetrate up to this point. Below the spillway, the main stream is rocky, weaving its way through a tidal area (26 ppt salinity) of abundant common reed grass. This site is an historically conftrdled alewife spawning site and herrin~ run [Zieh, 1977; Byrne, 1986J. In May 1973, spring 1976, and spring 1982, both adult alewife and blueback herring were obtained [Zlch, 1977; Byrne, 1986]. In the spring of 1982, eggs and larvae were also found [Byrne, 1986}. In May 1992, American Littoral Society volunteers netted six blueback herring below the dam and placed them in Shadow Lake. At this time, catadromous elvers were seen crawling over the dam. Fish ladder construction is being suggested for this site, as it has been also in the past [Byrne, 1986}. Hydraulic engineers with the US Fish and Wildlife Service have prepared a suitable fish ladder design for this dam. The Bureau ofmarine Fisheries has already fabricated modular units for the ladder but has not yet been installed, due to delays concerning dam ownership and needed dam repair. 3. Poricy Brook -- Poricy Pond (7/20191) Two culverts channel water beneath Navesink River Road. The culverts are sloped downstream such that water enters them from downstream at high tide, extending upward about half of the culvert length. Above this halfway point, a rapid downward flow makes upstream migration seem nearly impossible. Both above and below the culvert pipes, the stream is fairly quick-moving, aquatic grasses are abundant, and fish were observed. A considerable amount of sediment has been deposited on the downstream side of both. culverts. 4. Claypit Creek -- Lakeside Avenue Pond (7/12/91), ' A short concrete spillway leads water into two culverts which carry water under Lakeside Avenue and into a natural stream. A third, submerged culvert leads wate,r into the stream, speculatively from the lake. Fish with a lateral spot were observed both above and below the spillway/culvert impediment. At the crest of the spillway, a wooden board has been placed to block debris from flowing over; much debris has accumulated both here and in the stream below, and a local group should be encouraged to remove this debris. This site will not be considered for run restoration due to high sedimentation in the lake, and high level of debris. 5. Hartshorne Road Pond (7/12/91) A culvert carries water from the lake and beneath Hartshorne Road. The culvert is sloped such that water flows into the culvert about eight feet above the height at whieh it is released on the opposite side of Hartshorne Road. Additionally, a storm drain allows water to flow from the lake. Below the impediment is tidal. Since no major streams are found to drain into the pond, fish passage would access only a very limited area, and therefore will not be implemented. 17

23 18 II. RARITAN BAY.,Map 5 New Mi.rket Pond Dam ' Late NcllOIl NEW JERSEY Table 2: Classification of Primary Impediments in tbe Raritan Bay Drainage Region TRIBUTARY SYSTEM DAMSI SPILLWAYS TIDE GATES CULVERTS CONCRETE RIVER BEDS POOR WATER QUALITY Keyport Harbor Lake Matawan Dam X X Lake Lefferts Dam X Cbeesequake Creek Hooks Creek Lake X X Raritan River South River Branch Tennent Pond Dam X X Duhemal Lake Dam X X Lawrence Brook Branch Weston's Mill Pond X X Ambrose Brook Branch Lake Nelson X Bound Brook Branch New Market Pond Dam X Other stream tributaries Silver Lake Dam X X Johnson Park Lake X X Mile Run Dam X X South Staten Island Wolfes Pond X X

24 MAP 6 19 II. RARITAN BAY Keyport Harbor Lake Matawan Dam Lake Lefferts Dam IMPEDIMENTS: large spillway; ph 3-4 low ph due to geology of drainage basin,! restoration not considered due to pll ~KE \ MATAWAN greelllvater. higllly trwlsf'arcllt

25 20 II. RARITAN BAY A. KEYPORT HARBOR Matawan Creek 1. Lake Matawan Dam (6/27/91) The impediment here is a large, semicircular spillway and a low ph (3 to 4), due to the iron sulfide and clay geology of the drainage area (as explained by Ron Matiak of the Monmouth County Board of Health, 7/2/91). The lake is remarkably green and highly transparent. Below the dam is tidal, and debris is excessive. Sampling conducted in the spring of 1985 reported no anadromous fish to be found [Byrne, 1986J. This site will not be considered for fish passage because of low water ph due to local geology. 2. Lake Lefferts Dam (6/27/91) A large, semicircular spillway leads water under a roadway and into a stream with about 100 feet of concrete bulkheading. The creek bottom is rocky and tidal up to the spillway. Downstream of the bulkheading, common reed grass is abundant, and some debris is found. Fish with a lateral spot are found below the spillway. Past reports have concluded that there is potential for establishing an anadromous spawning run at this site [Byrne, 1986]. Restoration plans targetted for the spring of 1993 include netting anadromous fish and placing them above the dam impediment, following stream cleanup. B. CHEESEQUAKE CREEK 1. Hooks Creek Lake (7/3/91) The impediment is a small tide gate over which fresh water flows from the lake only at times of high rainfall, as explained by the Cheesequake Sate Park caretaker Robert Sommers. At these times, the water falls over the tide gate and into a concrete containment. The water drains from this structure by a culvert which leads into the extensive salt marsh downstream ofthe tide gate. Historically, this is a confirmed spawning site [Zich, 1977]. Blueback herring were collected via sampling in 1975 [Zich, 1977] and 1976 [Byrne, 1986]. C. RARITAN RIvER South River Branch ofraritan River 1. Tennent Brook -- Tennent Pond Dam (7/3/91) Although Perth Amboy Water Company did not permit visual inspection, the impediment is a dam and also low ph due to iron deposits present in the area, as stated by an employee of the water company. This site will not be considered for fish passage, due to the local geology, rendering unfavorable water conditions. 2. Duhernal Lake Dam (7/3/91) The structural impediment is a dam which is owned by the Duhernal Water System water company. The lake is drained for a few months each year for dam inspection, as it was during the time of site visitation, at which time no water was present in the lake. When filled, the lake is shallow, with fish present on both sides of the dam, as told by the Water System supervisor George Hartman. From past reports, this site was confirmed to have had a herring run and was also an alewife spawning site [Zich, 1977; Byrne, 1986]. Alewife were found in May 1974 rzich, 1977], 1976, and in the spring of 1985 [Byrne, 1986]. Alosid eggs and larvae were also found in the spring of 1985 [Byrne, 1986]. DeVoe Lake and Helmetta Pond are upstream secondary and tertiary impediments, respectively.

26 21 Lawrence Brook Branch of Raritan River 3. Weston's Mill Pond Dam (7/9/91) The primary impediment is a very high dam with a considerable amount of continuous overflow. Fishmg is a popular activity just below the dam, where the stream is shallow and the bottom is rocky. The Weston's Mill Pond Dam is an historic spawning site for both alewife and blueback herring [Zich, 1977; Byrne, 1986]. Adult alewife were obtained in May of 1973 [Zich, 1977] and 1976, and both adult alewife and blueback herring in the spring of 1985 (Byrne, 1986]. A10sid eggs and larvae were obtained in a sample in the spring of 1985 [Byrne, 1986]. Upstream of the dam are floating booms, placed to contain runoff from the Route 18 bridge, and also the Weston's Mill Arch Dam, of which less than three feet is exposed, overflow being minimal. Even farther upstream on one branch tributary is the Milltown Dam as a tertiary impediment, and on another branch are the Farrin~on Lake Dam and Davidson's Mill Pond Dam as tertiary and quaternary impediments, respectively. Ambrose Brook branch or Raritan River 4. Lake Nelson (7/17/91) The dam is a tall, concrete wall over which waterflow is minimal. Below the dam, the brook banks are wooded, the bottom is rocky, and the rocks are covered with brown algae. There is a stagnant odor present at the site. Bound Brook branch or Raritan River 5. New Market Pond Dam (7/18/91).. Below the dam is shallow and the stream bottom is a soft sediment, and clams and crayfish are present. A sulfurous odor is present at the site. Upstream, Spring Lake Dam is a secondary impediment, and the Cedar Brook Park Lake impoundment IS tertiary. Other stream tributaries or the Raritan River 6. Silver Lake Stream -- Silver Lake Dam (7/17/91) PSE&G owns this wide dam and surrounding land; this dam was not visually surveyed due to its inaccessability. A smell of sewage dominated the local air, a nearby sewerage authority posing an additional possible impediment as point-source organic pollution. 7. Johnson Park Lake (7/17/91) A pond in Johnson Park drains into the Raritan River via a culvert. Waterfowl live at the pond, which is very turbid. A very small creek is the inlet to the pond, and for these reasons no run restoration will be recommended at this site. 8. Mile Run Creek -- Mile Run Dam (7/17/91) The Middlesex Water Company operates a dam at the foot of the creek where it joins with the main stem of the Raritan River; this site was not visually inspected due to its inaccessability. The water above the dam is channeled beneath George Street for quite a distance in a culvert, and this site will not be recommended for run restoration for this reason. D. SOUTH STATEN ISLAND 1. Wolfes Pond Dam (7/30/91) The main structural impediment is a small wooden and concrete wall over which water flows to the stream. Downstream of the wall, the stream is very shallow, turbid, and littered; two culverts running beneath a narrow road appear to allow fish passage in both directions. Downstream of the culverts is a marina in which boat traffic may be an impediment. This site will not be considered for run restoration due to the lack of streams draining into the pond, as the small lake is the only habitat which would become accessible.

27 22 ill. ARTHUR KILL Map 7 Railway River Part Dam Rahway River Milton Lake Dam - Rahway River Table 3: Classification of Primary Impediments in the Arthur Kill Drainage Region CONCRETE POOR DAMS! TIDE RIVER WATER TRIBUTARY SYSTEM SPILLWAYS GATES CULVERTS BEDS QUALITY Rahway River South River branch Roosevelt Park Pond X X X X Colonia Pond X X X Robinson's branch Milton Lake X Rahway River Park Dam X Morses Creek Tide Gate #1 X X Elizabeth River Elizabeth River X X West Staten Island Pralls Creek X Richmond Creek X X

28 MAPS 23 GOLF COURSE IMPEDIMENTS: woodell wall alld small rock waterfall Caladromous elvers have sn~1l Ir(/vdi,,!: over Ihese RICHMOND AVE III. ARTHUR KILL West Staten Island Richmond Creek

29 24 III. ARTHUR KILL A. RAHwAY RIvER South River branch ofrahway River 1. Roosevelt Park Pond (7/15/91) There is a concrete dam at the (oot of the lake, leading water into a culvert, and then a stream with rip-rap li~ing. This bulkheaded bed extends beyond Parsonage Road, where there is a small rocky dropoff. A high population of waterfowl lives at this turbid lake, and for these reasons run restoration will not be implemented at this site. 2. Colonia Pond (7/15/91) Beneath the Knollwood Avenue bridge is a dropoff of about three feet, below which is a considerable amount of debris. Further downstream where Midwood Highway crosses the stream, a concrete bed may be the primary impediment; however, fish were seen above this point. No run restoration will be implemented at this site, as passage would access only the habitat of the small lake above the dropoff. However, stream cleanup has been suggested for this site due to its high level of debris. Robinson's Branch ofrahway River 3. Milton Lake (7/15/91) Overflow from the scenic rock dam leads into a shallow, rocky stream with concrete bulkhead. Rocks below the dam were algae-covered; fish were seen both above and below the dam; healthy looking aquatic vegetation is abundant. Some debris is present below the dam, and cleanup is planned for this site. 4. Rahway River Park Dam (7/26/91) A seven-foot concrete, sloped dam is the impediment at this site. Due to an unusually large storm prior to site visitation, overflow from the dam was exceptional. This site is being considered for a future restoration project which will begin with netting anadromous fish for placement above the dam Impediment, targetted for the spawning season of spring B. MORSES CREEK 1. Tide Gate #1 (7/31/91) The tide gate is a concrete wall, breached at high tide by about a foot of water. Booms are placed upstream of the tide gate, at the point where the NJ Turnpike passes over the creek, catching runoff from the bridge at the surface of the water. Upstream, tide gate #2 is the secondary impediment. Between tide gates #1 and 2 is the Orchard Brook inlet, where debris from storm sewer overflow is common. The water level between tide gates #1 and 2 is monitored closely and adjusted accordingly by Exxon, whose refinery occupies this area. Exxon uses a considerable amount ofwater from the Arthur Kill daily foecaoling processes necessary for operation, returning the water to the creek at a measureable temperature elevation of about ten degrees F; this thermal pollution is an additional impediment. This factual information was obtained in a guided tour, given by John Hannig from the refining department of Exxon. C. ELIZABETH RIVER 1. Elizabeth River (7/31/91) The dam at Trotter Lane is a secondary impediment to the concrete river bed, in which the river travels through urban Elizabeth. The concrete bed is of considerable length, extending downstream from the dam to beyond Broad Street, where it was last observed on site. Where roadways pass over the river, no culverts were found, just open waterways beneath each bridge.