ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE INVENTORY

PHASE 2

prepared for: Environmental Commission Borough of Leonia Bergen County

December 26, 1993

This document was prepared with the aid of a grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Energy, Office of Environmental Services.

BOSWELL

~rJGiNEERING TABLE OP CONTENTS

Page

I. Introduction ...... 1 II. Mapping ...... 2 III. Existing Conditions ...... 4 IV. Conclusions ...... 5 V. Recommendations ...... 6 VI. References ...... 7

BOSWELL ••^^•••i "NGINEERING I. Introduction The purpose of this Phase of the Leonia Environmental Resources Inventory was to continue the study of Leonia's natural resources by focusing on stream corridors and the storm water sewer system as they empty into the low lying western part of the municipality. The topography of the Borough of Leonia is such that all runoff ultimately flows to the western portion of the Borough and into Overpeck Creek. This area includes most of the designated flood areas and wetlands within the Borough. This report focused on tributary streams and creeks which runfrom East to West across the Borough and their relationship to the existing stormwater system. Actual physical inspections were made of many of the various pipelines, culverts and stream beds to note their condition. Particular attention was paid to the Golf Course Creek area. This was the last large area of major development within the Borough. The impact of various improvements on the stream corridors and recommendations for their repair and maintenance are included in this report.

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BOSWELL •••^•^H ENGINEERING II. Mapping The study of the natural waterways commenced at the upstream or northern limit of the Borough since the flow of runoff is generally to the West and South. Information was developed working in a downstream manner so that it would be cumulative in terms of its effect on the drainage area of the Borough. The northernmost recognized tributary within the Borough is Golf Course Creek. This Creek has been noted on the FEMA map. It lies in the northeastern area of the Borough., It flows from South to North approximately parallel to Broad Avenue which it crosses through a culvert. Ultimately this Creek flows into the City of Englewood. The Creek was not studied beyond the Borough boundaries other than to note that it eventually discharges into the Overpeck Creek. Portions of this Creek lie within the Special Flood Hazard Areas innundated by the 100-Year Flood or the Areas of the 500-Year Flood as designated on the Flood Insurance Rate Map as prepared by FEMA. The existing Borough Storm and Sanitary Sewer Maps show no information on the infrastructure installed at the time of the development of this area. As part of this study, the storm and sanitary sewers were located and drawn on plan sheets which are included as part of this report. Additional current information can be added to these maps as part of future studies. The storm drains installed as part of this housing development tie into the Creek at several locations and ultimately contribute a large portion of the volume of water which flows in Golf Course Creek during periods of rain. This Creek flows for a distance of approximately one-half mile within the Borough. It alternates among open channels, pipes, and box culverts at various locations as it flows through the Borough. Somewhat to the South of Golf Course Creek, Moore's Creek extends from the discharge at Overpeck Creek to a point approximately 3/4 of a mile upstream at the Fort Lee border.

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BOSWELL ^^^mmmmm 1NGIHEERING Similar to Golf Course Creek, Moore's Creek flows through areas that are open channels, pipes and box culverts. The sizes of the various structures vary significantly. This contributes to the problems at various locations within the Creek. During the course of this study, a property which included a portion of Moore's Creek filed an application with the Zoning Board of Adjustment. During the counse of these hearings information relative to this creek was presented to the Board and has been incorporated into this report. Most of Moore's Creek upstream of Broad Avenue is underground. It is reported to be a box culvert. Visual inspection of this portion of the creek was beyond the scope of this report, but should be considered in the future based on what was observed dowstream. Most of Moore's Creek downstream of Broad Avenue is an open channel which flows through private properties. The open channel areas East of Grand Avenue are separated by a section flowing through a 48 inch diameter pipe. This causes problems which will be reviewed later in this report. The Creek upstream of Wood Terrace flows through box culverts of varying sizes. The portion of these near the Zoning Board application property were physically inspected as part of this report. This is shown on the attached drainacje map.

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BOSWELL ••^•••i ENGINEERING III. Existing Conditions The Borough has maintained the closed (pipe) sections of Golf Course Creek so that they continue to function as intended. There were no areas of obvious damage or blockage in the pipelines. The box culverts under Broad Avenue and Lakeview Avenue were both in good condition. The open ditch portions of Golf Course Creek are somewhat irregular in slope and cross section. There are clear signs of yard waste having been dumped into or near these open channels. Debris can be found in the channel in several locations. This can and will contribute to flooding problems in these areas until it is cleaned up and the dumping ceases. Moore's Creek encompasses an estimated drainage area of approximately 175 acres according to testimony received at the Zoning Board hearings. This area includes parts of the Boroughs of Leonia and Fort Lee. The stream flow during a twenty-five year storm is approximately 760 cubic feet per second. This flow exceeds the capacity of much of the enclosed portion of this creek. The repeated change from open channel flow to enclosed flow has caused erosion problems in the channel banks over the years. The portion of the box culvert between Wood Terrace and Broad Avenue that was inspected had clear signs of distress. Portions of the concrete invert have washed away exposing the reinforcing steel. Parts of the steel were observed to have completely disintegrated. This reduced structural integrity could result in a number of problems such as uncontrolled flow of runoff and/or groundwater, movement of the soil around the culvert or a structural failure. If portions of the culvert become overloaded, the connecting pipelines and/or catch basins could back up into the various streets or properties and cause localized flooding. The open Channel portions of Moore's Creek are free of significant debris. Those areas upstream of the undersized pipelines have had reports of erosion and other damage. The downstream areas appear to be functioning properly.

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BOSWELL •••••••• •ENGINEERING IV. Conclusions The various improvements constructed within the Borough over the years have significantly increased the volume of runoff from the land to the stream corridors. One of the two stream corridors investigated in this phase of the Environmental Resource Inventory shows clear signs of excessive flow and/or damage from excessive flow. The existing closed channel areas on both creeks must be maintained to prevent any increase in the problems due to flow through these areas.

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BOSWELL ^^^ H "NGINEERING V. Recommendations 1. Complete the preliminary inventory of all other tributaries within the Borough in order to properly map them and to develop preliminary estimates of the magnitude of any problems. 2. Make a thorough engineering analysis of the flow in Moore's Creek to determine the required size of the channel and any necessary improvements. This should include a HEC-2 analysis. 3. Make a thorough structural investigation of all existing box culverts to determine their integrity. 4. Determine the legal ownership of all water courses within the Borough. 5. Review the ownership of the various culverts and pipelines along Moore's Creek to determine if other parties can be required to provide improvements to the system. 6. Complete the updated maps of the storm and sanitary sewer systems as soon as possible to provide Borough personnel with current accurate information. 7. Make complete engineering analyses as required of any other water courses within the Borough that a preliminary investigation indicates could be a source of significant problems. 8. Obtain the necessary easements as necessary to insure proper maintenance of the various water courses. 9. Clean and maintain all the accessible water courses which are the responsibility of the Borough.

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BOSWELL ^^^^^m ENGINEERING VI. References Environmental Resource Inventory Initial Phase K. Albert Associates March 12, 1992. As-built drawings of Vreeland Hills Development William 0. Schwanewede Associates June 1992 Drainage Report 198 Hillside Avenue Michael J. Hubschman, P.E., P.P. November 14, 1991

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BOSWELL

ENGINEERING TOWNSHIP TEANECK

VILLAGE OF ] RIDOEFIELD PARKI OVERPECK

NORTHERN RAILROAD NEW JERSEY -LACKAWANNA RY . ) CONRAIL (FORMERLY

EL IZABETH TERRACE

STREET INDEX

STREET NAME GRID No. STREET NAME GRID No. ALLAIRE AVENUE 03 LEONIA AVENUE C4 AMES AVENUE C2 LESTER STREET D2 BEECHWOOD PLACE C4 LEYLAND DRIVE B5 BERGEN BOULEVARD D2 LINDEN TERRACE D4 BIRCH LANE D5 LONGVIEW AVENUE B6 BOROUGH PLACE C4 LOWE STREET B5 BROAD AVENUE Cl THRU C6 MAGNOLIA PLACE C4 BROOK TERRACE C6 MAPLE STREET B3 CHARLES PLACE D2 MEADOWVIEW COURT B3 CHESTNUT STREET D3 MOORE AVENUE C2 CHRISTIE HEIGHTS STREET B5 NORDHOFF DRIVE D5 CHRISTIE LANE D3 OAKDENE AVENUE 81 THRU Bl CHRISTIE STREET B3 OAKTREE PLACE C3 COOVER STREET C4 TERRACE 03 COTTAGE PLACE B4 ORCHARD STREET B2 CRESCENT AVENUE C3 OVERLOOK AVENUE B6 CUMLEY TERRACE D3 OVERLOOK TERRACE D4 DOGWOOD COURT D5 PALISADE AVENUE B3 EASTVIEW AVENUE C6 PALMER PLACE D2 EDGEWOOD ROAD D6 PARK AVENUE B2 TRHU D2 ELIZABETH TERRACE B2 PAULIN BOULEVARD D2, D3 ELM PLACE C3 PAULIN BOULEVARD SOUTH Dl FAIRWAY DRIVE D4 PINE HILL ROAD D5 FORT LEE ROAD A3, E3 PROSPECT STREET B3 GLADWIN AVENUE C3 RAY AVENUE B6 GLENWOOD AVENUE D1 THRU D4 RELDYES AVENUE D3 GOLF COURSE DRIVE D5 RICHMOND PLACE D2 GRAND-AVENUE Bl THRU B6 RIDGELAND TERRACE D5, D6 GRANDVIEW TERRACE D5 ROMAINE PLACE B3 GREENWAY DRIVE D4 SCHOR AVENUE B4 HAROLD AVENUE C4 SPRING STREET B3 HARRISON STREET C5 STATION PARKWAY B3 HAWTHORNE TERRACE D4 SUMMIT AVENUE C2 HAZLITT AVENUE D3 SYLVAN AVENUE C2 HIGH STREET C3 VAN ORDEN AVENUE C5 HIGHLAND STREET C3 VREELAND AVENUE C5 HIGHWOOD AVENUE C2 WARWICK LANE D3 HILLCREST AVENUE C5 WASHINGTON TERRACE D2 HILLSIDE AVENUE C4 WESTERN BOULEVARD B6 HILLTOP AVENUE D4 WESTVIEW AVENUE C3 HOEFLVS LANE E3 WILLOW STREET B4 HOWARD TERRACE D3 WILLOW TREE ROAD B4 IPV:.'O STREET D3 WINFHRCP PLACE D2 GLE:NWOOD KINGSLEY STREET C4 WOOD TERRACE C4 KNAPP TERRACE D3 WOODLAND PLACE D4 LAKEVILW AVENUE 66 WOODRIDGE PLACE C4 PALMER PALMEFJ YALDEN TERRACE D2 PLACE

STORM SEWER MAP BOROUGH OF LEONIA BERGEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY SCALE: 1"=400' DECEMBER 01,1993 BOSWELL ENGINEERING PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS-PROFESSIONAL PLANNERS 330 PHILLIPS AVENUE, SOUTH HACKENSACK, N.J. 07606

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