Passaic River Institute at Montclair State University - (973) 655-5423

The Passaic River Institute (PRI) conducts environmental research and education to help solve environmental problems, focusing on the Passaic River, its tributaries and surrounding watershed lands.

Appreciating the importance of the Passaic River Basin and the complexity of the issues, Montclair State University recognized the need for a formal university-based institute that could undertake long-term, extensive, multi-disciplinary scientific studies and formed the Passaic River Institute (PRI) within the College of Science and Mathematics in 2004. As a permanent scientific organization with the support of a large university, the Institute can serve as a publicly accessible archive and clearinghouse of scientific reports and data in the Basin. A university-based Institute also provides a neutral forum for examining and discussing all aspects of environmental management challenges, such as environmental monitoring and assessment, pollution and contamination, sediment remediation, ecosystem restoration, environmental advocacy and public outreach efforts.

PRI affiliates have been active in research related to the Passaic River Basin, such as using computerized mapping systems to study pollutant sources and developing a method for rapid detection of organic contaminants in sediments. PRI is knitting together physical, biological and social scientists to effectively tackle the complex environmental challenges.

PRI is designed to nurture relationships with both public and private sectors, including federal and state agencies, corporations, and environmental and community advocacy groups to establish close ties with regional agencies and organizations, actively participate in international, national and regional environmental programs, host academic and public forums, and host symposiums and seminars on Passaic River.

Passaic River Institute provides broad environmental services with expertise, integrity, and value. The Institute’s scientists and experts, strong credentials, academic credibility and university facilities offer unique advantages in investigating and solving the region’s complex environmental problems. Passaic River Institute experts are capable, seasoned scientists with years of field experience and providing professional advice to government agencies and private firms.

The Passaic River Institute brings an approach to science that looks at the long term and seeks to insure a balance that supports a sustainable future.

The Passaic River basin shows remarkable diversity for its moderate size, containing some of the most pristine, environmentally important lands in New Jersey (that is, the drinking water watersheds and reservoirs of the Highlands), several large exurban/suburban wetland complexes in south and eastern Morris County, as well as some of the most densely populated land in the nation with severe environmental contamination along the lower reaches of the River.

The Passaic River system’s drainage basin of covers approximately 2,400 km2 , (935 sq mi) of northern NJ and Rockland and Orange counties in southern NY. The river system is characterized by a complex web of major and minor tributaries, draining much or part of eight New Jersey counties (about 10% of the state).

The Passaic River itself begins in ~80mi journey in Mendham NJ in Morris County at an elevation of about 600 feet above sea level. Much of its headwaters watershed is preserved in Jockey Hollow National Historic Park and Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Several small tributaries such as Black Brook, Great Brook, Loantaka Brook and Primrose Brook join the Passaic River as it flows south in this area before it exits the Swamp through the Millington Gorge, formed as the outlet of glacial-era Lake Passaic.

Then the River turns toward the northeast and then due north, forming borders of Somerset, Morris, Union and Essex counties. A major tributary, the Rockaway River (supplemented by the Whippany River just upstream), joins the Passaic in East Hanover in the midst of the large wetland complex of Hatfield Swamp and Troy Meadows. The Passaic continues north through another large wetland complex, Great Piece Meadows, where it turns east. Shortly thereafter, the Passaic is joined by the Pompton River in Wayne in the "Two Bridges" area. Here, near the Passaic-Pompton confluence, the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission withdraws from both rivers and pumps it to the Wanaque Reservoir.

The Pompton River boasts a large, important watershed itself, claming the Ramapo, Pequannock and Wanaque Rivers as tributaries. The Pequannock and Wanaque Rivers, both originating in the near pristine Highlands, support several very large drinking water reservoirs that serve millions of people in northern New Jersey.

After the confluence with the Pompton River, the Passaic adopts a distinct urban character for the rest of its journey. The River flows through Little Falls, losing 40 feet in elevation in short order. Behind a dam just before the falls, the Passaic Valley Water Commission withdraws water for drinking purposes and operates a water treatment plant. Also at Little Falls, the United States Geological Survey has operated a stream flow gage since the early 1900s. Five miles further, the River encounters the Great Falls in Paterson, (second highest falls east of the Rockies) where it tumbles 70 feet over a rocky ledge and immediately makes two, sharp, 90+ degree turns. It continues north, reversing itself southward at Hawthorne. Several minor tributaries such as Goffle Brook, Molly Ann Brook, Deepavaal Brook and Peckman River join the Passaic in this stretch.

The next major feature is Dundee Dam and Lake in Garfield, which was constructed to provide water to riverside industries. The Dam also serves as a barrier to tidal flows from Newark Bay, keeping both contaminated sediments and anadromous fishes from moving any farther upstream.

Below the dam at Wallington, the Saddle River joins the Passaic, as do the First (now underground in culverts), Second and Third Rivers.

After flowing due south for several miles, the River turns east at Harrison, makes an S-curve, then turns south and unites with the Hackensack River as it completes the journey to Newark Bay.

The 17-mile, tidally influenced reach of the Passaic between Dundee Dam and Newark Bay contains highly contaminated sediments, most notably, from dioxins discharged as a by-product from the manufacture of the herbicide Agent Orange in the 1960s at the Diamond Alkali plant in the Ironbound section of Newark. Recently, a consortium of state and federal agencies has actively begun actively pursuing remediation in this area.

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