Continuous Monitoring of the Hackensack River: Data Usage January 21, 2009 NJ Water Monitoring Council

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Continuous Monitoring of the Hackensack River: Data Usage January 21, 2009 NJ Water Monitoring Council Continuous Monitoring of the Hackensack River: Data Usage January 21, 2009 NJ Water Monitoring Council Edward Konsevick, Senior Environmental Scientist New Jersey Meadowlands Commission Environmental Research Institute Objectives of Network (2003 Workplan) Record semi-diurnal tidal variations and excursions such as – DO depletion – Storm surges Data and derived products for Environmental Management Research Education Consumers of Information October 1, 2008 to January 16, 2009 Consultants Government Universities ENSR Bergen County NJIT ELM USEPA Lamont Doherty HDR Alaska Limno Tech Stevens Institute Rutgers Ramapo Tracking Website Usage https://www.google.com/analytics Continuous Web Interface http://merigis.njmeadowlands.gov/vdv/Index.php Missing Kearny Berry's Creek Mill Creek FDU Date Temp Depth DO pH Cond/Sal Turbidity Temp Depth DO pH Cond/Sal Turbidity Temp Depth DO pH Cond/Sal Turbidity Temp Depth DO pH Cond/Sal Turbidity Validating Data: 9/20/12 9/23/12 9/25/12 9/26/12 Daily Checklist 9/27/12 9/30/12 10/2/12 10/3/12 10/4/12 10/7/12 Key 10/8/12 10/9/12 10/11/12 Pass 10/15/12 10/16/12 Fail 10/17/12 10/21/12 10/22/12 Missing 10/23/12 10/24/12 10/25/12 10/29/12 10/30/12 10/31/12 Time Temp (F) Salinity pH DO (mg/L) 11/1/12 1 1/18/09 5:00 32.0 0.63 6.02 11.4 11/4/12 2 1/18/09 6:00 31.9 0.57 6.02 11.8 11/6/12 3 1/18/09 7:00 31.9 0.57 6.02 11.8 4 1/18/09 8:00 31.9 0.57 6.02 11.8 11/7/12 5 1/18/09 9:00 31.9 0.57 6.02 11.8 11/8/12 6 1/18/09 10:00 31.9 0.57 6.02 11.8 11/11/12 7 1/18/09 11:00 32.0 0.47 6.06 12.3 11/13/12 8 1/18/09 12:00 32.0 0.52 6.22 11.8 11/15/12 9 1/18/09 13:00 32.0 0.57 6.01 11.4 11/18/12 10 1/18/09 14:00 32.0 0.61 5.95 10.9 11/19/12 11 1/18/09 15:00 32.0 0.63 5.91 9.05 11/20/12 12 1/18/09 16:00 32.0 0.64 5.88 9.76 11/21/12 13 1/18/09 17:00 32.1 0.61 5.91 11.1 11/22/12 14 1/18/09 18:00 32.0 0.57 5.90 11.5 11/25/12 15 1/18/09 19:00 32.0 0.53 5.92 11.8 11/26/12 16 1/18/09 20:00 32.0 0.50 5.89 12.0 11/27/12 17 1/18/09 21:00 32.0 0.49 5.87 11.8 18 1/18/09 22:00 32.0 0.49 5.82 11.2 12/2/12 19 1/18/09 23:00 32.0 0.49 5.82 11.2 12/3/12 20 1/19/09 0:00 32.0 0.49 5.82 11.2 12/4/12 21 1/19/09 1:00 32.0 0.49 5.82 11.2 12/5/12 22 1/19/09 2:00 32.0 0.49 5.82 11.2 12/6/12 23 1/19/09 3:00 32.0 0.65 5.83 10.4 12/9/12 24 1/19/09 4:00 32.0 0.71 5.81 9.67 12/11/12 12/12/12 12/13/12 Oyster Reef Sustainability in the NY/NJ Harbor Estuary Study Beth Ravit, PhD (Rutgers) / Dr. Peddrick Weis (UMDNJ) NJMC will support the installation of continuous water monitoring equipment to determine if physical parameters affect oyster survivability Temperature Salinity Dissolved oxygen Proposed Oyster Study Area Data Generation Comparison Salinity (ppt) in the Lower Hackensack Min Max Mean 12 Years of Low Tide Seasonal Monitoring 4.8 17.9 12.1 Two Years of Surface Salinity GN1 5.7 22.8 15.5 S1 9.2 18.3 14.0 T1 10.8 22.5 17.2 One Year of Continuous Monitoring 9.6 Berry’s Creek Study Area Superfund Community Update Spring 2009: RI/FS During planning for investigation activities, we reviewed the data to get a sense of the conditions within Berry’s Creek. We will continue to use the data for understanding site conditions and for making comparisons with other stations in the area. Mike McNally, ELM Inc. Summary of FDU Station Data for Northeast NJ 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 November 21, 2007 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.0 Watershed Alliance (NNJWA) 300 400 9.0 500 8.0 7.0 600 Salinity (ppt) 6.0 700 5.0 4.0 800 3.0 900 2.0 1.0 1000 0.0 1100 1200 300 1300 400 1900 500 2000 600 DO (mg/L) I hope to continue to generate intere 2100 10.6 700 2200 10.4 usage… 800 2300 10.2 10.0 900 2400 February 12, 2008 1000 9.8 9.6 1100 9.4 1200 9.2 Tony DeCandia, Bergen1300 County DOH 9.0 1900 2000 100 200 300 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 2300 2100 2200 Providing technical support for 2300 the NNJWA focus on long 2400 range planning of watershedpH (SU) management and environmental issues… st in [the site’s] availability and Meeting the Objectives?? Data and derived products for Environmental Management Research Education.
Recommended publications
  • GATEWAY PROGRAM OVERVIEW and UPDATE John D
    January 12, 2017 GATEWAY PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND UPDATE John D. Porcari, Interim Executive Director Gateway Program Development Corporation 1 GATEWAY PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION » Incorporated in the state of New Jersey under Title 15A:2-8 New Jersey Domestic Nonprofit Corporation Act. » For coordinating, developing, operating, financing, managing, owning or otherwise engaging in activities to effectuate the transportation project between Penn Station, Newark, New Jersey, and Penn Station, New York, New York currently referred to as the “Gateway Program.” » Four trustees appointed by US DOT, Amtrak, NJ TRANSIT, and NYS DOT, respectively. Gateway Program Development Corporation 2 HOW IT WILL WORK Federal NJ Other/ Amtrak PANYNJ Grants TRANSIT Private Federal Gateway Program Development Loans Corporation Project Delivery NJ Amtrak TRANSIT PANYNJ Consultants/ Contractors Gateway Program Development Corporation 3 WHAT IS THE GATEWAY PROGRAM? » Hudson Tunnel Project » New Hudson River Tunnel » Rehabilitation of Existing North River Tunnel » Replacement of Portal Bridge » Expansion of Penn Station, New York » Capacity and Renewal Projects in New Jersey » Sawtooth Bridges/ Harrison » Portal South Bridge » Secaucus Station and Loops » Operating Rail Yard in NJ » Newark-Secaucus Improvements Gateway Program Development Corporation 4 WHY DO WE NEED GATEWAY? »Existing North River Tunnel, Completed in 1910 Gateway Program Development Corporation 5 SUPERSTORM SANDY CAUSED IRREPARABLE DAMAGE » Superstorm Sandy forced 4-day closure of the NEC in October 2012. » Ongoing damage to internal components requires complete renewal of inundated tunnels. » Tunnel reconstruction requires closure of each tube for outages of ~1.5 years. » Without new tunnel in place, closure would devastate service. » Rebuilding of the existing North River Tunnel will not begin until the new Hudson Tunnel is built and commissioned.
    [Show full text]
  • June 22 2020 Agenda
    The public is invited to participate in the work session meeting at 6:00 pm and the public session meeting at 7:30 pm by calling 1-862-799-9892. No access code is required. BOROUGH OF RIDGEFIELD A G E N D A Work Session, Executive Session and Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council Date: June 22, 2020 ROLL CALL-WORK SESSION PRESENT ABSENT Open Public Meetings Statement by Mayor Suarez Mayor Suarez Castelli Penabad Work Session: 6:00 P.M. C.T.O.: Shim Adjourn: Jimenez Kontolios • Opening of Borough Services Larkin ROLL CALL-EXEC. SESSION PRESENT ABSENT Mayor Suarez – Adjournment into closed Executive Mayor Suarez Sessionin accordance with the “Open Public Meetings Act” Castelli Executive Session: 6:30 P.M. C.T.O.: Penabad Adjourn: Shim Jimenez Public Session: 7:30 P.M. C.T.O.: Kontolios Adjourn: Larkin Pledge of Allegiance ROLL CALL-PUBLIC SESSION PRESENT ABSENT Invocation Mayor Suarez Castelli Citizens Comment on Agenda: Penabad Shim Correspondence: Jimenez Kontolios Larkin As advertised, hearing will be held on submitting the following application for grant funding from the Bergen County Trust Fund Municipal Program for Park Development for development of field adjacent to Ridgefield Community Center at the corner of Slocum Avenue and Bruce Street into a parklet. Entertain motion to declare the time for the public hearing to be declared open Public Hearing Entertain motion to declare the time for the public hearing to be declared closed CONSENT AGENDA: All items listed are considered to be routine and non-controversial by the Borough Council and will be approved by one motion.
    [Show full text]
  • Hackensack River Guide in the River Meadowlands
    Experience it all... Hackensack River Guide in the river Meadowlands The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission Offers: t Pontoon boat cruises and t Environmental remediation guided canoe tours and enhancement projects t Children’s programs, t Films, book talks, concerts and including our annual Halloween other public events Party and Spooky Walk t Grants, professional help and t School science programs other direct municipal assistance that meet NJ core curriculum to help offset property taxes standards t t Guided birding walks, Scientific research through talks and bird-banding MERI, the Meadowlands demonstrations Environmental Research Institute t The Flyway Gallery, featuring t MERI Science Library, open to local environmental artists the public The Meadowlands Experience t Meadowlands Environment t Free trail guides, birding books Center’s interactive educational and other pamphlets displays t Green building guides, t Thousands of acres preserved, assistance and existing examples eight miles of trails, 21 area parks t Public viewing nights and t Millions invested in major astronomy classes at the William flood plain management D. McDowell Observatory projects About the NJMC: The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission is the zoning and regulatory agency for the 30.4-square-mile Meadowlands District, composed of parts of 14 municipalities in Bergen and Hudson counties. Created in 1969, the NJMC has fought to end illegal dumping, encourage appropriate development, and protect the remaining open space and wetlands. The NJMC has helped preserve New Jersey thousands of acres and helped create eight miles of trails and 21 parks in the District, and also conducts Meadowlands Commission bird walks, canoe tours and popular pontoon boat One DeKorte Park Plaza • Lyndhurst, New Jersey • 07071 cruises on the Hackensack River.
    [Show full text]
  • Summary of Major Sediment and Water Investigations Conducted in the Lower Passaic River”
    Data Evaluation Report No. 1: “Summary of Major Sediment and Water Investigations Conducted in the Lower Passaic River” LOWER EIGHT MILES OF THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER DATA EVALUATION REPORT NO. 1: SUMMARY OF MAJOR SEDIMENT AND WATER INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED IN THE LOWER PASSAIC RIVER TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Overview of the FFS Study Area ................................................................... 1-1 1.2 Overview of the Major Sediment and Water Investigations Conducted in the Lower Passaic River ...................................................................................... 1-2 2 Sediment Investigations ................................................................................. 2-1 2.1 1991 and 1993 TSI Sediment Coring Program (Nature and Extent of Contamination) .............................................................................................. 2-1 2.2 1995 TSI Remedial Investigation Program (Nature and Extent of Contamination – RM1 to RM7) ..................................................................... 2-3 2.3 1999 and 2000 TSI Environmental Sampling Programs (Risk Assessment Support).......................................................................................................... 2-4 2.4 2005 Sedflume Testing (Sediment Bed Erosion Susceptibility).................... 2-5 2.5 2008 Sedflume Testing (Effects of Consolidation on Erodibility) ................ 2-6 2.6 2005 Gust Microcosm
    [Show full text]
  • Sediment, Sedimentation, and Environments of the Lower Hackensack River and Newark Bay Estuary Complex
    Proceedings, WEDA XXXI Technical Conference & TAMU 42 Dredging Seminar SEDIMENT, SEDIMENTATION, AND ENVIRONMENTS OF THE LOWER HACKENSACK RIVER AND NEWARK BAY ESTUARY COMPLEX W. Murphy III1, W.B. Ward1, B. Boyd1, W. Murphy IV1, R. Nolen-Hoeksema1, M. Art1, D.A. Rosales-R1 ABSTRACT The Meadowlands, the lower Hackensack River, and Newark Bay in New Jersey form a connected estuarine system that is an important asset for the greater New York City metropolitan region because of its economic, environmental, and recreational value. The Corps of Engineers is deepening Newark Bay and at the same time initiating enhancements under the Hudson-Raritan Estuary Ecosystem Restoration Study. e4sciences|Earthworks LLC has produced sediment and ecological maps of Newark Bay and the lower 22 kilometers (14 miles) of the Hackensack River, which includes the Meadowlands. The accuracy is ±0.3m (±1ft). The fundamental concept is that different sediment deposits have distinctive measurable properties and behavior. On this basis, we can map, quantify, and characterize the deposits. The maps form the basis of targeted coring and testing as opposed to more expensive random testing. The mapping program included sub-bottom seismic profiling, orthosonography, multibeam bathymetry, magnetometry, digital photography, aerial photography, cores, sediment profile imagery, morphology, stratigraphy, sedimentation, biological data, and benthos. The geophysical methods imaged the water-bottom morphology and subsurface stratigraphy to 30.5 meters (100 feet) depth with 0.6-meter (2-foot) spatial resolution. Keywords: Dredging, beneficial uses, slurry transport, dredged material disposal, partially oil-saturated sediment. INTRODUCTION The Hudson-Raritan Estuary of New York and New Jersey is one of the largest estuaries on the East Coast of the United States.
    [Show full text]
  • Strategies for Flood Risk Reduction for Vulnerable Coastal Populations Along Hackensack River at Little Ferry and Moonachie
    Strategies for Flood Risk Reduction for Vulnerable Coastal Populations along Hackensack River at Little Ferry and Moonachie FINAL REPORT Submitted to New Jersey Governor’s Office of Recovery and Rebuilding and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection By Qizhong (George) Guo1, Principal Investigator Robert Miskewitz2 Manoj Raavi1, Carolyn Loudermilk1 1School of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering 2School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Department of Environmental Sciences Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey in Collaboration with Meiyin Wu3, Josh Galster3, Clement Alo3, Robert Prezant3, Jason Beury3 3Montclair State University and Tony Macdonald4, Jim Nickels4 4Monmouth University August 2014 Executive Summary Flooding is a regular concern in both Little Ferry and Moonachie along the tidal Hackensack River. Although the storm surge from Hurricane Sandy highlighted their vulnerability to an extreme event, smaller more frequent events regularly occur and impact residents, commerce and the area’s transportation infrastructure. This study addressed improvements to the stormwater drainage system for storm events that are limited to a storm surge that reaches the vertical extent of the protective berms surrounding the area. The proposed flood remedies take into account both the scale of the remedy itself as well as the event. The scales investigated are 1.) Municipal which includes use of new infrastructure or upgrades to existing infrastructure to protect areas from flooding that occurs fairly regularly (about yearly); and 2.) Block and lot which includes individual projects conceptualized to protect smaller areas such as chronically flooded roadways, intersections, and public spaces. That also includes the use of stormwater green infrastructure and preventative maintenance to ensure the flood impacts are minimized.
    [Show full text]
  • Hackensack Meadowlands, New Jersey, Biodiversity: a Review and Synthesis
    Kiviat & MacDonald, Hackensack Meadowlands Hackensack Meadowlands, New Jersey, Biodiversity: A Review and Synthesis Erik Kiviat and Kristi MacDonald Hudsonia Ltd. P.O. Box 5000, Annandale, New York 12504-5000 USA Prepared for the Hackensack Meadowlands Partnership 8 August 2002 © Hudsonia Ltd., Annandale, New York, 2002 Corrections and Updates to: Hackensack Meadowlands, New Jersey, Biodiversity: A Review and Synthesis By Erik Kiviat and Kristi MacDonald, Hudsonia Ltd. We will occasionally add information to this section of the report instead of frequently changing the report itself. This section last changed 23 June 2003 by EK. Corrections : P. 40: The laboratory work of J. Weis comparing reed and cordgrass detritus did not use mummichogs, only fiddler crabs and grass shrimp. P. 93: The correct year of publication for Labriola is 2000. Labriola should precede Langan. P. 97: The Yuhas 2001 thesis was prepared at New Jersey Institute of Technology, not Rutgers University. Table 4: American coot should be indicated (*) as water or wetland-associated; barn-owl should not be. Updates : P. 32: In July 2002, an apparent family group of northern harrier (Endangered) was observed on multiple days at the Carlstadt-Moonachie marshes (Empire tract), indicating breeding at that location. Thus the Empire tract and the Berry’s Creek marshes are the two known breeding localities for this species in the Meadowlands. P. 65: To the best of our knowledge, this clam-shrimp species is known from only about 10 localities in its global range. If this species were reviewed by the State Natural Heritage Program it would be ranked G1 S1. The Meadowlands population therefore may have considerable significance for conservation.
    [Show full text]
  • SEWER FACILITIES Final Report
    8'11 BERGEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY I COMPREHENSIVE PLAN . { ( 1'- SEWER FACILITIES Final Report REPORT Nol2 June I 9 70 County Planning Board, County of Bergen, New Jersey BERGEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REPORT SANITARY SEWER FACILITIES - FINAL REPORT The preparation of this report was financially aided through a Federal grant from the Urban Renewal Adminis­ tration of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, under the Urban Planning Assistance Program authorized by Section 701 of the Housing Act of 1954, as amended. The remainder has been financed by local funds and by an appropriation of the State of New Jersey as part of the Cooperative Governmental Planning Program. REPORT NO. 12 June, 1970 BOARD OF CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS PLANN I NG BOARD FRANK A. BUONO, JR., DIRECTOR JAMES R. SUTPHEN, CHAIRMAN WILLIAM D. McDOWELL, DEPUTY DIRECTOR WAL TER MARUT BERNARD A. SCHWARTZ, VICE-CHAIRMAN WILLIAM D. McDOWELL JUNE M. CLARK HARRY RANDALL, JR. F. WILLIAM BALLOU, SECRETARY MATTHEW J. BINDER FRANKLIN H. COOPER KEVIN J. McDERMOTT FRANK A. BUONO, JR. JOSEPH A. CARUCCI HENRY L. HOE BEL VICTOR M. WILLIAMS EDWARD R. RANUSKA FREDERICK W. BRANDT prepared by ELAM AND POPOFF ENGINEERING ASSOCIATES GLEN ROCK, NEW JERSEY COUNTY PLANNING BOARD, COUNTY OF BERGEN 29 Linden Street, Hackensack, New Jersey SUMMARY OF REPORT INTRODUCTION The accelerated growth of population, commerce and industry is rapidly leading to the emergence of Bergen County as the most populous county in the State. The County Comprehensive Plan was initiated to provide orderly, logical and economically sound development within the County. An essential element of such a plan is the estab­ lishment of adequate facilities for the collection and disposal of sewage from within the County.
    [Show full text]
  • July 23, 2021 Walter Mugdan, Acting Regional Administrator US
    DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER 401 East State Street P.O. Box 402, Mail Code 401-07 PHILIP D. MURPHY SHAWN M. LATOURETTE Governor Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0402 Commissioner Tel. (609) 292-2885 ⬧ Fax (609) 292-7695 www.nj.gov/dep SHEILA Y. OLIVER Lt. Governor July 23, 2021 Walter Mugdan, Acting Regional Administrator U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region II 290 Broadway New York, NY 10007-1866 RE: National Priorities List Referral Lower Hackensack River Bergen and Hudson Counties, New Jersey Dear Acting Regional Administrator Mugdan: On behalf of Governor Philip D. Murphy, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) hereby requests that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) take all appropriate steps to include the Lower Hackensack River on the National Priorities List (NPL) and commence the Superfund cleanup process. The State of New Jersey submits that such federal action is necessary to facilitate the comprehensive investigation and remediation of past and present releases of hazardous substances, pollutants and contaminants that have impaired the Lower Hackensack River and important natural resources within its watershed. Located in northeastern New Jersey, the lower portion of the Hackensack River comprises twenty-three tidally influenced river miles (RM), from the Oradell Dam (RM 23.3) in Bergen County to the mouth of the river at Newark Bay (RM 0) in Hudson County. This area of the Hackensack River was once home to heavy industry, is bounded by known contaminated sites, and its immediate watershed hosts nine Superfund sites impacted by contaminants strikingly similar to those found within the main stem of the Hackensack River itself.
    [Show full text]
  • WATER DEPARTMENT 9 NORTH BROADWAY • NYACK, NEW YORK 10960 Public Water System Identification Number (PWS ID# 4303666)
    THE VILLAGE OF NYACK WATER DEPARTMENT 9 NORTH BROADWAY • NYACK, NEW YORK 10960 Public Water System Identification Number (PWS ID# 4303666) “ANNUAL DRINKING WATER QUALITY REPORT FOR 2018” INTRODUCTION To comply with State and Federal regulations, the Village of Nyack Water Department, issues an annual report describing the quality of your drinking water. The purpose of this report is to raise your understanding of drinking water and awareness of the need to protect our drinking water sources. Last year (2017), we conducted tests for over 80 contaminants. We detected a total of thirteen of those contaminants (see Detected Contaminants Table) We are proud to report that our system did not violate a maximum contaminant level or any other water quality standard. This report provides an overview of last year’s water quality. Included are details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to State stan- dards. Our constant goal is to provide you with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water. We want you to understand the efforts we make to con- tinually improve the water treatment process and protect our water resources. We are committed to ensuring the quality of your drinking water. If you have any questions about this report or concerning your drinking water, please contact Water Superintendent Kelvin Smith, at (845) 358-3734. We want you to be informed about your drinking water. If you want to learn more, please attend any of our regularly scheduled Village water board meetings. The meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month, at 4:30 pm in the Nyack Village Hall.
    [Show full text]
  • Hackensack River Boating and Paddle Guide
    Experience it all... Boating and Paddle Guide Discover the hidden beauty of the in the hackensack river Meadowlands Meadowlands t Guided pontoon boat Sit back, relax, and enjoy of the Marsh Wren coming from the reeds. Check out Fiddler Crabs digging in along the riverbank. cruises, canoe tours and The thriving marshes and recreational opportunities nature walks Diamondback Terrapins can be seen in the shallow along the Hackensack River are among the best t Children’s programs, waters, and Muskrat huts rise from the marsh. Even kept secrets of the 30.4-square-mile Meadowlands including our annual in the midst of this urban area, the Meadowlands is Halloween Party and Spooky District. Walk home to some of nature’s greatest wonders. t Guided birding walks, Through our guided pontoon boat cruises and talks and bird-banding canoe tours of the river and its smaller tributaries, Learn about the region’s history demonstrations visitors from near and far will discover the hidden A combination of natural and human actions t Annual Butterfly Day in July beauty here in the Meadowlands. These boating created today’s Meadowlands. Our expert staff t The Flyway Gallery, opportunities offer a chance for people to capture will discuss the Wisconsin Glacier that shaped the featuring local environmental photos of rare birds and to learn about the area’s artists region, the Lenape Native Americans who first ecology and history. We invite you to relax and enjoy lived here and the early Europeans who cleared t Meadowlands Environment a few hours on the water, with the Manhattan skyline Center’s interactive its Atlantic White Cedar forests.
    [Show full text]
  • Few People Today Think of the Hackensack River Valley As a Source for Building Materials
    Bricks, Stones, and Traprock Few people today think of the Hackensack River valley as a source for building materials. But it once was where millions of tons of bricks, “brownstones,” and crushed rocks forming the basic foundation beneath roadways were quarried. The history of utilizing local Earth resources is worth knowing. Bricks Think of all the buildings in the area and elsewhere made of brick. Did you ever think about where they came from? Brick has been one of the most widely used building materials worldwide, perhaps for as far back in time as 5,000 years ago. The Native Americans in this region made their longhouses (‘wigwams’) out of twigs and branches. Early colonial homes were mostly made of wood from the abundant forests that existed in the area at that time. Farms in those days often used ‘fieldstone,’ rocks which had been left when the glaciers melted after the last Ice Age. But as communities grew, wood became scarcer, and fires became a bigger threat. Along the Hudson River, and along the Hackensack, brick manufacturing developed that utilized the clays deposited in the glacial lakes. The most common method of making bricks involves mixing clay, sand, lime, iron oxide, and/or magnesia, placing it in a mold, and heating it. It did not require extensive land, so in the late 19th century, there were hundreds of clay pits with nearby brick kilns in the region to meet the needs of the growing New York metropolitan area. The Little Ferry clay pits operated from the 1870s until the 1940s.
    [Show full text]