Stream Corridors Serve Critical Functions
New Jersey's streams and rivers provide scenic beauty
and recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat and
drinking water. Streams extend beyond the water
flowing within the banks, to include the stream banks,
adjacent wetlands and floodplain. The stream corridor
is an extensive ecosystem of important biological
diversity. Undisturbed stream corridors protect streams
and furnish flood control at no cost, store water during
dry periods, maintain water quality by filtering
pollutant-laden runoff and support a large diversity of
plants and animals.
Streams receive water from precipitation, runoff from
land surfaces, wetlands or ground water from springs
and seeps. The woodlands and wetlands in the
stream’s watershed absorb precipitation and gradually
release it into the stream. This is the stream's
"baseflow." The baseflow keeps the stream running in
periods of light or no rainfall. The link between
ground and surface water can flow both ways; in wet
seasons, streams may contribute to the ground water of
adjacent aquifers.
In addition to slowly releasing stored precipitation,
vegetated stream banks, nearby woodlands, wetlands
and floodplains help maintain water quality. Streamside vegetation takes up nutrients, and soil and organic
material on the banks can help filter pollutants and
sediments from parking lots, streets and land. Slowing
the flow into the stream also gives organic material a
chance to decompose instead of overloading the
waters.
Stream corridors are major habitats for plants and
animals. The streams and adjacent areas support a wide
variety of species. The headwaters of streams are the
seeps and springs where leaf litter constitutes the base
of the food chain for the entire stream system.
Downstream, larger animals and other plants make up
an intricate self-supporting community.
Stream buffers help nature to keep streams and
reservoirs clean, a function that expensive engineering
efforts can’t begin to emulate. Providing a vegetated
stream buffer ensures clean drinking water for New
Jersey residents. If pollution impairs these waters,
drinking water supply purveyors would have to resort
to expensive treatment to bring them back to previous
water quality.
Effective stream corridor management requires
addressing the entire stream -- its hydrological and
ecological systems -- to solve problems of surface
water pollution, loss of groundwater recharge and
decline in animal and plant habitats.
SOME MUNICIPAL DEFINITIONS OF NON-CATEGORY ONE STREAM CORRIDORS
East Windsor
Stream channel, 100-year flood line and a minimum of 100’ from the flood line. If no
floodline, 100’ corridor is measured from the top of bank. The area of steep slopes >15%
abutting the outer boundary of the stream corridor
U.S. Forest Service Model
Ordinance
Two zones of 75’ from the edge of a watercourse or the 100-year floodplain, whichever is
greater. Zone one is 25’ and includes any steep slope over 25% for the width of that steep
slope.
Zone two occupies a minimum width of 50’ in addition to zone 1.
Far Hills
Uses the U.S. Forest Service Model Ordinance
Franklin Township
Stream channels, flood plains, contiguous slopes of 12% or greater, whichever is the most
restrictive.
Stream channel and all of the land on either side of the stream channel within the 100-year
floodplain or a sloping area of 15% or greater that is contiguous to the stream channel or
100-year floodplain.
Holmdel
Knowlton
All channel areas, adjacent slopes of 12% or greater and contiguous areas where the depth
of the seasonal high-water table is one foot or less.
Lebanon Township
Stream channel, 100-year floodplain and a 100’ wide buffer beyond the floodplain and
areas of slopes greater than 15% that abut the stream corridor.
Mendham Township
Conservation easement required of 150’ on either side from the centerline. For intermittent
streams, a 50’ easement from the centerline.
Mt. Olive Township
Stream channel, 100-year floodplain or a >15% slope area next to channel. In addition, a
buffer of 100’ adjacent to the stream corridor.
Stony Brook Millstone Model
Ord.
Stream channel, 100-year floodline plus 100’ from the flood line. If no floodline, 100’
corridor is measured from the top of bank. The area of steep slopes >15% abutting the
outer boundary of the stream corridor.