The Pursel Mill Dam Breach: Ecological Restoration, Historic Preservation and Flood Mitigation Geoffrey M. Goll, P.E. Princeton Hydro, LLC, P.O. Box 720, Ringoes, , 08551 PH (908) 237-5660; email:[email protected] The owner of NJ Dam No. 24-80, Mr. Harry Pursel of Harry Pursel, Inc. (a local Agway agricultural and garden supply store) was notified via letter dated August 1, 2001 that he was the owner of a dam regulated by the State of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection and that an inspection must be performed by a Professional Engineer. Princeton Hydro, LLC was subsequently contracted to perform the inspection. Princeton Hydro conducted the inspection and found the dam to be in safe condition, but with significant repair and upgrades necessary to bring the dam into compliance. Following submission to the NJDEP, the NJDEP Dam Safety Section issued a letter requiring Mr. Pursel to bring the dam into compliance by completing hydrologic and hydraulic studies and upgrading the physical attributes of the dam to current regulatory standards. Preliminary estimates of dam construction repairs were prepared in the range of $450,000 to $550,000 plus engineering fees in excess of $80,000 in 2001 dollars. As a small business, Mr. Pursel did not have the funds to upgrade the dam to current standards, and therefore, was in need of an alternative to bring the dam into compliance. Princeton Hydro and Mr. Pursel subsequently discussed another option for compliance; breaching of the dam and its subsequent deregulation. As a first blockage on the Lopatcong Creek, it was known that there were grant opportunities to breach dams to provide anadromous fish passage improvements and stream restoration activities. Subsequently, Mr. Pursel requested that Princeton Hydro pursue such funds to assist in the breaching of the dam and its subsequent deregulation. Configuration and History of Lopatcong Creek and Dam The Harry Pursel Dam is located on Lopatcong Creek adjacent to Harry S. Pursel, Inc. (Agway) on 1127 South Main Street in Phillipsburg Township, Warren County, New Jersey.

85’ Long Spillway 400’+ Embankment

NJ Route 122

Figure 1: Layout of Dam According to the National Inventory of dams database, the contributing watershed drainage area was 14.2 square miles. The earthen dam ran from South Main Street parallel to the Lopatcong Creek (functioning as a dike) until it crosses the creek via the low level outlet and ogee spillway. The earthen embankment is 450 feet in length with a maximum of 15 feet in height, 1 which runs parallel to the stream which it impounds. As will be discussed below, the original function of the dam was to raise the stream level to function as a canal, so the reservoir was very narrow (20 feet in width) and long (800 feet). The ogee spillway was 85 feet in length and has a height of 8.3 feet. The upstream slope of the embankment varied from 1H:1V to 1.5H:1V and had low herbaceous vegetation. The downstream slope of the embankment varies from 1H: 1V to 1.5H: 1V and was covered in dense vegetation and some animal burrows in the middle of the dike. The dam was identified by the State of New Jersey as a Class II or Significant Hazard structure. A Significant Hazard dam has the potential to cause severe property damage downstream as a result of failure, with little potential for the loss of life. During flooding events, the embankment either overtopped or the creek backed up within the reservoir and flooded upstream properties.

Figure 2: Frequent Flooding of Lopatcong Creek at Spillway. The stream itself was part of the historic (in full operation from 1832 to 1880), which was used to improve transportation between Pennsylvania and New York City. The concrete spillway was constructed in 1927 as a replacement to the canal lock in order to maintain water flow to a mill on the property of Mr. Harry S. Pursel. According to Mr. Pursel the mill has been out of service since 1945. The site adjacent to the main embankment is Harry S. Pursel, Inc., a local Agway that has been in business for over 80 years. Adjacent to the main embankment is a natural perennial spring, which flows from a springhouse adjacent to South Main Street and along the main embankment. Additionally, there is an abandoned mill chute that redirected flow from Lopatcong Creek to the mill for hydropower.

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Figure 3: Postcards Depicting Pursel Section of Morris Canal (circa 1900) The Lopatcong Creek has been identified by the NJDEP as a FW2-TP (trout production) stream and is a Category 1 (C-1) water body. C-1 waters are subject to non-degradation requirements for impacts to its “pristine” and exceptional water quality. The Harry Pursel Dam was the only significant obstruction on the Lopatcong Creek and would reconnect eight (8) to 10 miles of stream to the . The project will restore several fish species migration routes, and facilitate the movement of resident fish species.

Alewife, Alosa pseudoharengus (anadromous)

Blueback herring, Alosa aestivalis (anadromous)

American eel, Anguilla rostrata (catadromous)

Figure 4: Diadromouse Fish Species Benefiting (Source: US Fish and Wildlife Service) Grant Funding Applications and Initial Design of Breach In December 2001, Princeton Hydro, on behalf of Mr. Harry Pursel submitted an application to American Rivers for a $25,000 grant through the American Rivers-NOAA Community-based Restoration Program for the design and permitting of the Dam Breach. The grant was subsequently approved in 2002 and the permitting process for the project began. The initial tasks to be completed were a topographic and property boundary survey of the dam. Once this was complete, an initial dam breach design was prepared which included the partial removal of the concrete ogee spillway. The design entailed a hydrologic and hydraulic analysis of the watershed to ensure compliance with the NJDEP Dam Safety regulation requirements. These requirements included not detrimentally impacting property owners downstream by increasing flooding. The study also involved the design of a step pool transition from the natural stream channel upstream through the breached concrete spillway. Due to the fact that the mill complex was constructed below the stream elevation (due to the original manmade function of the stream as a canal), the earthen embankment needed to be maintained to protect the complex from

3 flooding. Therefore, the step pool design to transition the stream elevation from above the mill to below it required careful planning to both deregulate the dam and providing the appropriate fish passage necessary to meet the grant requirements. During the year 2002 other grants were pursued and subsequently obtained including a grant of $72,500 through the USDA, Natural Resource Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP), and a $10,000 grant from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) through their Partners for Wildlife program. Additional funds through FishAmerica Foundation were applied for in 2002, but were denied due to the already high commitment of federal funding, however, other funds did come through in 2003 including an additional through the North Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D) via a $10,000 commitment in in-kind materials and services for riparian plantings following construction. In 2004, again, American Rivers provided $25,000 for project implementation (construction). Therefore, by the end of the year 2004 a total of $142,500.00 was committed to the design and implementation of this project. Permit Application Process A pre-application meeting was held with at the NJDEP main office at 401 East State Street, in Trenton New Jersey. In attendance were representatives from all the pertinent bureaus including Permit Coordination Land Use Regulation (Bureau of Freshwater Wetlands), NJ Division of Fish and Game, the Dam Safety Section, and the State Historic Preservation Office. Also in attendance in support of the project and as a grant representative was a representative of the NRCS. There was significant discussion regarding historic preservation. It was agreed by all that by the partial breach of the concrete spillway as design, the major elements of the dam and canal embankment would be preserved, and therefore, this project would have a positive effect on the historic preservation elements of the historic Morris Canal. In June, an application to the NJDEP Land Use Regulation Program (LURP) was submitted for a Statewide General Permit No. 18, Dam Repairs (which include removals and breaches). Subsequently, an application was submitted to the Dam Safety Section for review. In addition, at the request of Dam Safety a copy of the application package was submitted to the NJ Division of Fish and Game for their review. As the dam was a component of the Morris Canal, which was listed on the NJ Register of Historic Places and National Register of Historic Places, as part of the Dam Safety and Land Use Regulation permit process it was also necessary to prepare and submit an application to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for a “Project Authorization under the NJ Register of Historic Places Act”. Through the application to SHPO it was determined that this project would have an “adverse effect” on the historic elements of the Morris Canal, and therefore, a request of interest was then required to be submitted to the National Park Service (NPS), the federal agency responsible for managing federal historic places. The USFWS acted on behalf of the project in requesting interest from the NPS. This request subsequently received no response within the regulatory timeframe for a response (15 days), and therefore, was deemed of no interest to the NPS’s Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. During the review by the State Historic Preservation Office, the project did have several objectors to the project, including the Canal Society of NJ and the Warren County Morris Canal Committee. Through the execution of a Memorandum of Agreement with the State Historic Preservation Office and a non-interest determination from the National Park Service (Section 106), the project was also designed to emphasize the historic elements of the canal using signage, local rock and preservation of the major component of the canal through non-disturbance. It was also agreed that signage would be placed that discussed both the ecological benefits of the project and the historic elements of the Morris Canal. After a review 4 of the plans and interaction with SHPO, both groups were in agreement that the breach of the canal in the configuration designed by Princeton Hydro was the best compromise that could be achieved in light of Mr. Pursel’s circumstances. The following photographs illustrate the concepts that were provided to the various interested parties to allow for a further understanding of the project’s outcome:

Figure 5: Ogee Spillway Before Breach

Figure 6: Concept of Breach Design Princeton Hydro subcontracted a NJ licensed Professional Land Surveyor, Mace Consulting Engineers of Phillipsburg, NJ. Mace Consulting surveyed the site for elevation data, dam components, mill structures, and approximate property boundaries. The survey product was provided in plan form and in digital format to incorporate into the plans and hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) study. To satisfy both the requirements for NJDEP Dam Safety regulations, the breach could not increase the 10-year, 50-year and 100-year frequency 24-hour duration Type III storm event (NRCS Technical Release 55). As previously discussed, it was determined

5 through discussions with NRCS, the State Historic Preservation Office and the owner, Mr. Harry Pursel that a breach in the concrete spillway was the most appropriate approach. The H&H study, which was completed using HEC-RAS (US Army Corps of Engineers, River Analysis System computer program) revealed that the dam was not controlling flooding within its vicinity. The flooding was caused by the constriction of the South Main Street Bridge several hundred feet downstream from the dam. Therefore, any size breach was determined to serve the purpose of deregulating the dam. A breach width of 35 feet was chosen as it approximated ½ the concrete spillway and met with the satisfaction of the Dam Safety reviewers. Once the breach width was determined, Princeton Hydro again used HEC-RAS to design a step-pool system that would allow fish passage. Through a review of NJ Geologic Survey (NJGS) monitoring of the Lopatcong Creek, it was found that several events of base flow were monitored. Base flow within this reach of the Lopatcong Creek ranges between 5 and 20 cubic feet per second (cfs). During the spring when anadromous fish are usually migrating upstream, the base flow was at the higher end of 20 cfs. In late August early September the base flow was reduced to 5 cfs. 5 cfs was used to ensure that resident fish (i.e. brown trout) could pass upstream and downstream, and 20 cfs was used to ensure that the design could also pass fish without the creation of hydraulic blocks (i.e. hydraulic jumps). The engineering plans were prepared to reflect the design. Due to the protection that the dam embankments provided to the mill complex, it was important to design the step-pool system with armored subgrades to ensure the intergrity of the embankment would not fail. To accomplish this without creating a rip-rapped appearance, rounded river stones were used in the design. The stone was to be of local origin to reflect the underlying carbonate geology. Therefore, rounded dolomitic rock was specified. Additional Work Required on Dam and Additional Funding While still in the permitting stated, Tropical Storm Ivan (September 2004) caused significant flooding in the Delawere River valley, including extensive flooding of the Lopatcong Creek. The earthen embankment was overtopped, causing a slump failure of the earthen downstream embankment and subsequent damage to the mill complex, including the Agway store. An emergency permit was applied for to repair the breach. This repair required an additional $150,000.

Figure 7: Damage from Tropical Storm Ivan Due to this flooding, and a previous flood in Burlington County, NJ in July 2004, the NJDEP reopened a grant funding program, and on behalf of Mr. Pursel, Princeton Hydro applied for a low interest loan through the NJDEP’s Dam, Lake, Stream, Flood Control, Water Resources, 6 and Wastewater Treatment Project Bond Act of 2003 and received $215,363.18. The loan’s local government co-applicant was the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Construction Contractor Procurement and NJDEP Loan Application Once all permits were obtained, the final funding mechanism, the NJDEP loan, needed to be in place prior to construction. As discussed above, this funding was applied through the Dam, Lake, Stream, Flood Control, Water Resources, and Wastewater Treatment Project Bond Act of 2003. An application for $215,363.18 was submitted on September 30, 2004. Following submission and approval by the Bureau of Dam Safety and Flood Control, the application was forwarded with other applications to the State of New Jersey legislature for review. This process entailed approximately 20 months at which time, the funds were released and a loan agreement was executed between the NJDEP and Mr. Harry Pursel and Warren County on May 17, 2006 (two weeks following the completion of the construction portion of the project). To procure a contractor three (3) contracting firms were requested to submit bids, of which EnviroAir Technologies, Inc. of Coopersburg, PA was selected as the lowest qualified bid at $275,000.00 for the project. The contractor mobilized at the site on Monday, April 3, 2006. The construction began with the installation of sandbag cofferdams at the lower end of the project, and excavation of a diversion trench through the existing embankment at the upper end of the project. Construction/Implementation Once all the permits were obtained and a contractor awarded, construction began in April 2006. The contractor was EnviroAir Technologies, Inc. of Coopersburg, PA. The construction was initiated by creating a diversion of the Lopatcong Creek along the dam embankment’s toe. A breach was excavated through the embankment where Tropical Storm Ivan had damage the embankment, and the toe of the dam was lined with rip-rap for scour protection. Sandbags were then placed in the upstream end of the project and the entire base flow was diverted through the temporary breach. Sandbags were also placed at the downstream end of the project area to eliminate backwater into the project area. The total project length behind the primary spillway was 240 feet. Work started upstream with excavation and placement of a 4 foot long vinyl sheet pile placed below grade to eliminate headcutting due to soil loss of upstream sands into the voids of the boulders to be placed downstream. Work to placed the riverstone included excavation to subgrade, placement of ¾” clean stone and the final placement of rounded the rounded riverstone. Excavation was progressed until the spillway was reached, then using a diamond wire saw, the spillway was cut on the sides and the interior of the cut was demolished using a excavator mounted hydraulic hammer. All concrete was transported and disposed of at a concrete recycling facility. All sediment remained on-site and was used to grade various areas of the mill complex.

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Figure 8: Diamond Wire Saw Through Spillway

Figure 9: Demolition of Spillway Once the main work was complete, the sandbags were removed and the stream was allowed to flow into the work area. Once the flows could be observed, a representative of Princeton Hydro and the NRCS directed the contractor to “tweak” several areas of rock to improve the flow condition to facilitate the passage of fish. All heavy construction was completed within a six (6) week time frame on May 9, 2006. Subsequent to the heavy construction, the North Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D) directly purchased native vegetation, including 5-gallon trees and 2-gallon shrubs and used AmeriCorps volunteers to plant.

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Figure 10: Completed Breach New Jersey Network (NJN) News covered the reopening of the Lopatcong Creek. The story aired on NJN on Friday April 21, 2006. The story was aired as part of the Science section of the daily news show and was aired throughout the State of New Jersey. On May 10, 2007 a press event was coordinated by American Rivers, NOAA and the NRCS to commemorate the completion of the project. In attendance at the meeting were several local elected officials including Phillipsburg Mayor Harry L. Wyant and Warren County Freeholder Everett Chamberlain. Additionally, other guest speakers included Ms. Ann Mills, Executive Vice President of American Rivers, Mr. Craig Woolcott of NOAA, Ms. Susan Essig, Supervisor of Coastal, Partnerships and Grants Program of the USFWS, Agust Gudmundsson, Chairman NJ Council of Trout Unlimited, and Mr. Merlyn Carlson, Deputy Undersecretary of the Natural Resources and Environment of the USDA. Conclusions: This project opened eight (8) to 10 miles of stream upstream from the project site. As this site was less than one (1) mile from the confluence with the Delaware River, the largest unobstructed river east of the Mississippi River, essentially the entire Lopatcong Creek was opened to diadromous fish, including the American Eel, blueback herring and alewife. Although initially, this project had anticipated potential additional habitat from American and hickory shad, it was concluded that the stream is too small, both in terms of depth and flow to support these larger herring species. Since the removal of the dam several storm events that would have otherwise have flooded the mill complex and Agway store now pass through the property without incident. While storm events greater than the 10-year frequency event may still back up floodwaters from the South Main Street Bridge, smaller nuisance flood events are expected to be reduced dramatically. The primary challenges for this project included two (2) primary issues: 1) Coordination and the gathering of funding and 2) historic preservation issues. The majority of small run of the river dams in need of removal are either orphaned or owned by parties with little to no resources to complete the work. Although there are a number of funding sources available for removals and stream restoration, there needs to be a concerted effort by all benefactors to work together to provide the resources needed. Recommendations would be to coordinate similar timeframes for funding availability and to create regional dam removal committees representing each funding source to pool monies for larger cost projects as is usually the case in urban dam removals and stream restoration efforts. 9

The historic preservation aspect of the project by far created the longest delay with regard to the permit process. Even with the early involvement of the State Historic Preservation Office, the often conflicting goals between entities such as the natural resource agencies and the historic preservation agencies often lend themselves to delays and sometimes compromises that both parties are not completely satisfied. In this instance, the Canal Society of NJ and the Warren County Morris Canal Committee were never satisfied with the project. There needs to be a much more open dialogue between these two (2) often conflicting groups to allow for an understanding of each parties position. It may also be prudent to create a national or even regional committee to work out differences at the planning level before a project begins. Special Thanks: This project could not have been completed without several government agencies and non-profit organizations providing the much need funding. These included the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, American Rivers, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the NJDEP Bureau of Dam Safety and Flood Control. Additionally, these same groups in addition to several others provided numerous hours of in- kind services. During the design process, the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) provided design consultation and press release coordination. American Rivers representatives provided in-kind services regarding the preparation and coordination of press events. The NJDEP Division of Fish and Game provided in-kind services including the collection of trout from the work area immediately prior to construction and construction observation and monitoring. Princeton Hydro provided coordination efforts in-kind for the application and management of the various funding sources. The Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders provided project support in the form of co-applicant for the $216,000 NJDEP Loan to Mr. Pursel.

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