Watershed Management Area 9
Lower Raritan, South River, Lawrence

Watershed Management Area 9 includes the mainstem of the Raritan River, the South River and Lawrence Brook. Middlesex, Somerset and Monmouth Counties make up most of the political geography of this WMA.

The mainstem of the Raritan River spans from the confluence of the North and South Branches to the Raritan Bay. For the most part, this drainage area is densely populated. There are two low dams in this river, Fieldsville Dam and Calco Dam. Among the many small recreational lakes and ponds in this area are Watchung Lake, Surprise Lake, Spring Lake and Green Brook Pond (all manmade). Land use in the mainstem Raritan River Watershed is primarily urban/suburban, with industrial and commercial centers throughout. There are about 73 NJPDES permitted discharges and about 29 biological monitoring stations in this watershed.

The South River begins at Duhernal Lake in Spotswood and flows to the Raritan River at Sayreville. It is formed by the confluence of Manalapan and Matchaponix Brooks. Other tributaries include Deep River and Tennants Brook and major impoundments are Matchaponix Brook and South River. Land use in the upper part of this area, the Manalapan and Matchaponix Brooks subwatersheds, is predominantly agriculture and forests. New industrial and residential development is becoming incorporated into these areas and there is existing, older development in the South River subwatershed. There are about 5 NJPDES permitted discharges in the South River Watershed and 11 biological monitoring stations in the South River and Lawrence Brook Watersheds combined.

For more information regarding watershed management areas please contact DEP's Office of Policy Implementation and Watershed Restoration at (609) 633-2201.

Or visit the projects web site at www.raritanbasin.org