SUMMARY:
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is conducting a feasibility study in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to evaluate potential flood risk reduction measures within the Whippany River Watershed and its municipalities, focusing on the basin’s most frequently flooded and densely populated localities. Major storm events have contributed to severe flooding along the river due to precipitation of high intensity, large amounts, or prolonged duration. A combination of low channel capacity, small bridge openings, developmental encroachment along the river, urbanization has contributed to significant and frequent flooding.
DESCRIPTION:
The study area is focused on the 20 mile Whippany River, a tributary of the Rockaway River, with its headwaters in Mendham, NJ. The river meanders east/northeast through Morristown and Hanover and then joins the Rockaway River at Hatfield Swamp in the township of Parsippany. The study will determine if there is a technically feasible, economically justified and environmentally compliant recommendation for Federal participation in flood risk management within the watershed and its associated communities in Morris County, NJ.
AUTHORIZATION:
The Whippany River Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study was authorized by Section 206 of the Flood Control Act of 3 July 1958. Additional authorization was provided in WRDA 2022 for Whippany River Watershed: Project for Flood Risk Management, Morris County, NJ.
STATUS / STUDY COST:
The study was initiated in September 2023 when USACE executed a $3M FCSA in a 50/50 percent cost sharing arrangement with NJDEP, the project’s non Federal sponsor. This three year study will culminate in a Chief’s Report to be completed in September 2026. A draft report is scheduled to be released to the public in December 2024.
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT:
Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)
CONTACT:
Mr. Seth B. Greenwald, PMP
Project Manager
email: seth.b.greenwald@usace.army.mil
phone: 917-790-8030
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District
Programs and Project Management Division, Civil Works Programs Branch
26 Federal Plaza, New York, NY 10278