Site Description

Site ID: CB01
Tewksbury Township, Hunterdon County
Stream Category: FW2-TP(C1) (Category 1, Trout production waters)
Site monitors Cold Brook subwatershed (HUC: 02030105050060)
The site is located on a tributary to the Cold Brook, downstream from the Flint Hill Road Bridge. This site is located on private property and can only be accessed with prior permission from the property manager.

• What is being monitored at this site?
  • Biological and Visual Assessments (?)
  • Chemical Testing (?)
  • Bacteria Monitoring

Water Quality Data

Each June, Raritan Headwaters scientists and volunteers visit 72 stream sites in the North and South Branch Raritan Watershed Region (WMA8) of New Jersey to collect data on the health of our streams.  Data collected includes a sample of benthic macroinvertebrates (used to calculate the High Gradient Macroinvertebrate Index;HGMI score), an assessment of the habitat in and around the stream, and chemical conditions in the water.  Chemical parameters include dissolved oxygen, phosphate, chloride, specific conductance, nitrate, turbidity, pH, and temperature. The HGMI is used by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to determine if the site is meeting state and national water quality standards under the Clean Water Act. Click here to learn more about our stream monitoring program and water quality reports.

Site Data for CB01

Select a parameter below to view annual data. Hover over the chart to get more information.

Threats and Recommendations

The HGMI at CB01 was found to be good in 2019, which means it was not biologically impaired. With an HGMI of good, an improvement from 2018, CB01 is still a site of concern. This site is located within an agriculturally rich section of our watershed, which means that run off from farm fields as well as lack of riparian buffers are likely negatively impacting the water quality of this stream. The biggest water quality issue that we found at this site was high levels of phosphates in the water. Most of the anthropogenic phosphates in streams comes from stormwater run-off, wastewater treatment plants, and septic systems. High levels of nutrients such as phosphates and nitrates cause an overgrowth of bacteria and algae and eventually result in oxygen depletion.  More sustainable farming practices and keeping an intact riparian buffer may help to increase water quality in this stream.

What Can You Do?

Many people take clean water for granted, but we know it takes vigilance and hard work to protect the water in our rivers, streams and homes.

And we can’t do it alone. We need your help to ensure that everyone within our reach has access to safe, clean water that is swimmable, fishable and, above all, drinkable.

• Support RHA
• Use Your Voice
• Become River Friendly
• Participate in Our Annual Stream Clean Up
• Join Our Stream Monitoring Team
• Other Ways to Help