North Branch Raritan River
Monitoring Sites

The purpose of URWA's stream monitoring program is to conserve water quality by evaluating both biological and chemical parameters of collected samples. Benthic macroinvertebrate communities are analyzed to determine species composition and relative richness which can be used as an indicator of water quality. Chemical analyses offer insight into factors that lead to impairment. In addition to degrading potable water supplies, excessive contaminants, including fecal coliform, as well as high temperatures and low oxygen content reduce the quality of aquatic habitats and recreational opportunities provided by the resource. If degradation is detected, URWA can pursue remedies to address the identified factors to restore the quality of water in the Upper Raritan Watershed.

The North Branch of the Raritan River in the Upper Raritan Watershed is designated as a Freshwater 2, Category I stream that flows south from its headwaters in Mendham Borough and Mendham Township through portions of Morris and Somerset Counties until it joins the Raritan River in Central New Jersey. With generous support from the NJ Water Supply Authority, URWA has performed biological monitoring in the North Branch of the Raritan River with the assistance of volunteers trained according to the EPA Rapid Bioassessment Protocol. The results are made available to the public via URWA's website and can be used to improve local decision-making in regards to land use and water protection issues.

Click on monitoring sites below to view detailed information