User:Mwinog2777/woodbridge river

FEMA flood hazard map, Woodbridge, New Jersey

The South Branch Rahway River source is the Roosevelt Park lake, Edison, New Jersey; it flows north north through Woodbridge Township before entering the Rahway River in Rahway, New Jersey, 4.5 miles from the Arthur Kill.

The South Branch is subject to both tidal and fluvial flooding. With coastal surges, the Rahway River can cause backflow into the South Branch as far as St. Georges Bridge in Woodbridge Outflow from the south Branch to the main channel is inhibited by the "U" shape turn in the Rahway River and six bridge constrictions within a mile. . The South Branch has an 11.6 square mile drainage area from "intensely developed portions" of Rahway, Edison, Woodbridge and Metuchen. Repeated "flashy" fluvial flooding in this river is a consequence of urbanization with impervious surfaces exacerbated by downstream channel constrictions, stream bank decay and steep hills. Fluvial flooding is felt to be the major component of flooding.

Pumpkin Patch Brook is a tributary of Robinson's Branch of the Rahway River.

Pumpkin Path Brook, Clark Township, New Jersey; FEMA hazard map

Pumpkin Patch Flood Hazard Map

It flows north from Woodbridge Township into Clark Township. At its mouth into Robinson's Branch there is a wetlands. It is frequently inundated by backflow from Robinson's Branch; generally only "relatively moderate" flooding is seen along this brook. Most of the flooding in Clark originates from Pumpkin Patch Brook. Severe fluvial flooding in both Clark Township and Woodbridge Township can be seen with hurricanes and nor'easters. Suburban development in both townships has increased surface water run-off over impervious land with "over the bank" flooding along the brook.

The Woodbrige River (also known as Woodbridge Creek) is a river in Woodbridge Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey.

Woodbridge River course in Woodbridge, New Jersey

Woodbridge, New Jersey, area inundated by Woodbridge River after Hurricane Sandy (Source: USGS Sandy Storm Tide Mapper)

Smith Creek, Woodbridge Township

The Woodbridge River flows south 5 miles in Woodbridge Township emptying into the Arthur Kill. The headwaters are near Omar Avenue in the far northeast part of the Township. It is a tidal river for three-fourths of its length, with brackish water below Homestead Avenue. It serves as a basin for about half of Woodbridge. Major tributaries include Heards Brook and Wedgwood Creek in Woodbrige Proper and Pumpkin Patch Brook in Colonia. There is a long history of tidal flooding along this river and its major tributaries. The most extreme flooding occurred during Superstorm Sandy, with a high water mark in the Woodbridge River of 12 feet; low-lying areas along the lower river have only a six-seven foot elevation above sea level. Woodbridge streams and rivers have been described as having a "high flow, flashy nature;" in addition to tidal flooding, fluvial flooding is also common. The land is relatively impervious, and flooding is exacerbated steep slopes and urban cover. Prolonged coastal storms (nor'easters), which combine tidal and fluvial flooding, along with flow constrictions, cause an increase in the duration of flooding of the Woodbridge River and its tributaries, which may last for days before water levels subside. Decadal events have the potential for four-foot flooding in lowest developed areas. Frequency of flooding in the area increased over time. Residential areas moved into previous marsh land, decreasing the ability of the land to absorb excess water. A 1770 map shows that all land surrounding the river was comprised of salt marshes. In the most affected area, Watson-Cramptom, prior to 2009 the area adjacent to the Woodbridge River was zoned for high density residential housing, including the area comprised of wetlands and meadows. When the Sandy came it was "characterized as a tsunami-like water wall," destroying adjoining homes. The Woodbridge River flood zone has become a part of the restoration plan for the riparian environment. After Sandy, using money from the New Jersey Buyout Program, Woodbridge bought out and demolished many residential properties in the flood hazard areas. Woodbridge's actions and plans have been called a "slow motion evacuation from climate change." As people move out of flood hazard areas, they will replaced by a "floodplain forest of native trees, shrubs and grass." In Woodbridge not everybody wants to sell; 2050 when the properties may be under water seems to far in the future for some. This interferes with the goal of land buffers, entire blocks, between rivers and homes.

In 2013 the Ernest L. Oros Wildlife Preserve was dedicated; the Preserve occupies 140 acres along the Woodbridge River and has restored the river and adjacent land as a nature preserve. Many bird species have been observed along the river, particularly at the Oros Preserve. Bird sightings include wading birds (great blue herons and great egrets), the bald eagle, belted kingfishers and Canada goose. Eight mammal species have been noted, including racoon and red fox; nine fish species have been identified, including the American eel. The Preserve has been called "an important hot spot in an otherwise highly developed area."