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A Tale of "Two" Rivers
The Hackensack watershed (approx. 197 square miles) is composed of all the land that ultimately directs water into the Hackensack River.
The watershed spans northeastern New Jersey and southern New York.
The Hackensack River is about 50 miles long and flows south.
The Oradell Dam was constructed in 1922 to provide drinking water for northern New Jersey. As a result, the dam has separated the Hackensack River into two distinct parts: the Upper Hackensack (above the dam), and the Lower Hackensack (below the dam).
The Upper Hackensack River is a controlled freshwater section. Water enters the upper river and reservoirs from streams, stormwater runoff, and discharge from industry and towns along its course.
The Lower Hackensack River is part of a tidal brackish estuary that extends from the Ordell Dam to the Newark Bay, and includes 5,800 acres of estuarine wetlands known as the Meadowlands. The tidal changes and regular flood events in the Lower Hackensack nourish the wetlands, which in turn support a wide variety of plant and animal species.
What is YOUR Watershed Address? Where do you live - in the Upper or Lower Hackensack River? Am I upstream of a problem, downstream of a problem, or in the middle of it? This answer will also help you answer who might be responsible for your water.
What is a river good for?
This is a question that will change depending on your perspective! How would a river otter, a striped bass, or a river birch answer? How would you answer this question?
- Brainstorm as many answers to the question as you can think of. Be sure to identify the perspective from which you are thinking!
- Compare your answers with others in your class.
- Can you categorize the uses? What categories can you think of?