Delaware and Raritan Canal to be dredged
FRANKLIN (Somerset) - The Delaware and Raritan Canal is scheduled for a good cleaning.
The New Jersey Water Supply Authority is proposing to dredge a 10.5-mile stretch of the canal, which runs parallel to the Millstone River, from Kingston to Amwell Road in the East Millstone section of Franklin.
The project, which is estimated to cost $51.86 million, will remove an estimated 248,000 cubic yards of sediment to increase the flow of water in the canal, which supplies water for millions of Central Jersey residents. Taking water from the canal are North Brunswick, East Brunswick, New Brunswick, New Jersey American Water and Middlesex Water Co.
According to the authority's annual report, the water flow in the canal is also inhibited by weed growth during the summer months.
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Because of these factors, the canal is operated at a level that is "higher than desirable" and causes water to reach normally dry spillways.
Funding for the project will be provided through a bond from the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust.
The project is scheduled for 2018 to 2020.
Round Valley Reservoir, Spruce Run Reservoir and the canal have the capability of daily delivering 241 million gallons to the water utilities serving Central Jersey.
The Delaware and Raritan Canal was constructed in 1834 and operated as a barge canal until 1932. The state acquired the canal from the Pennsylvania Railroad Co. two years later. During the 1950s, the canal was rehabilitated to serve as a water supply source.
The authority is accepting public comments on the project through June 5. Comments can be emailed to info@njwa,org or mailed to Marc Brooks, New Jersey Water Supply Authority, 1851 Route 31, PO Box 5196, Clinton, NJ 08809.
Copies of the proposal are available at Franklin Township Municipal Building, 475 DeMott Lane, or the authority's headquarters in Clinton.
Staff Writer Mike Deak: 908-243-6607; mdeak@mycentraljersey.com