Clove Acres Lake Riparian Restoration Project

The Wallkill River Watershed Management Group (WRWMG), North Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council (NJRC&D), Sussex Borough, and the Sussex Borough Shade Tree Commission implemented a riparian restoration project along the banks of Clove Acres Lake in Sussex Borough.  The primary focus of the project was to improve surface water quality by establishing a healthy riparian buffer of native trees and shrubs along open areas of the lakeshore. The buffer is increasing the amount of shade cover on the edges of the lake, improving habitat conditions for existing fish populations.

The project is also helping to reduce the number of geese and waterfowl that  frequent the area surrounding the lake. The large amount of waste that the birds generate is a significant source of fecal coliform, E.coli, and phosphorus loading to the ponds. Establishing and maintaining vegetative buffers along waterways is a recommended strategy for geese and waterfowl control, by making these areas less desirable for them to visit.

Sussex Borough Riparian Reforestation and Green Infrastructure Projects

Builing off of the project success with the Clove Acres Lake restoration project, the WRWMG now has an active grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to complete additional restoration projects in Sussex Borough.  The SCMUA-WRWMG is working with local volunteers to reforest portions of Sussex Borough's two parks: Brookside Park and T.J. Dunn Community Park.  Planting trees in these locations will not only beautify the parks but will also help to control erosion and pollutant runoff into the Clove Brook.  Additionally, SCMUA-WRWMG is working with Sussex Borough to construct a porous asphalt parking lot along Route 23.  The parking lot will help collect stormwater runoff during precipitation events and will help to reduce pollutant runoff into the Clove Brook.