BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA 11. Report No. 3. Recipient's Accession No. 

SHEET 

4. Title and Subtitle 5. Report Date 

WATER QUALITY AND STREAMFLOW C~~CTERISTICS, June 1974 

RARITAN RIVER BASIN, NEW JERSEY 6. 

7. A uthor(s) 8. Performing Organization Rept. 

Peter W. Anderson and Samuel D. Faust No. WRI 14-74 

9. Performing Organization Name and Address 10. Pro-ject/Task/Work Unit No. 

U.S. Geological Survey (WRD) 

Rm. 420 Federal Bldg. 11. Contract/Gram No. 

P.O. Box 1238 

Trenton, N.J. 08607 

12. Sponsoring Organization Name and Address 13. Type of Report & Period 

U.S. Geological Survey Covered (WRD) 

Rm. 420 Federal Bldg. Final 

P.O. Box 1238 14. 

Trenton, N.J. 08607 

15. Supplementary Notes 

Prepared in cooperation with the State of New Jersey, Department of 

Environmental Protection. 

16. Abstracts 

The findings of a problem-oriented, river-system investigation of the water quality and 

streamflow characteristics of the Raritan River, N.J. are described. Information on 

streamflow duration, time-of-travel measurements, and analyses of chemical, biochemical 

and physical-water quality are summarized and used to define relations existing between water quality, streamflow, geology, and environmental development in the basin's 

hydrologic system. 

Stream quality, particularly in the lower urban areas of the basin, is shown to be 

deteriorating with time at most of the sampling sites reported. For example, average 

dissolved-oxygen concentration is reported to be undersaturated at all sampling sites 

and is decreasing with time at most sites. Biochemical-oxygen demand is increasing 

at most sites, as are the dissolved-solids content. 

17. Key Words and Document Analysis. 17a. Descriptors 

*New Jersey, *water quality, *traveltime, *regression analysis, *time-series analysis, 

chemical properties, biological properties, hydrologic properties, physical properties, 

droughts, sediment transport, water pollution effects. 

17b. Identifiers/Open-Ended Terms 

Raritan River basin 

17c. COSATI Field/Group 

18. Availability Statement 19. Security Class (This 21. No. of Pages 

Report) 

UNCLASSIFIED 88 No restriction on distribution 20. Security Class (This 22. Price 

L_----~~~~--------------------------~---·a~~JN~r~r.~:T~AS~;S~TIE~:D~~----------~ FORM N Tl S-35 I REV. 3-72) TH lS FORM MAy BE REPRODUCED USCOMM-DC 14952-P 72 
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FORM NTIS-35 !REV, 3·72) USCOMM·DC 14952·P72 
WATER QUALITY AND STREAMFLOW 

CHARACTERISTICS, RARITAN RIVER BASIN, 

NEW JERSEY 

by Peter W. Anderson and Samuel D. Faust 

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

Water-Resources Investigations 14-74 

Prepared in cooperation with.the 

State of New Jersey, Department of 

Environmental Protection 

June 1974 
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Rogers C. B. Morton, Secretary 

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

V. E. McKelvey, Director 

For additional information write to: 

U.S. Geological Survey (WRD) 

Rm. 420 Federal Bldg. 

P.O. Box 1238 

Trenton, N.J. 08607 
CONTENTS 

Abstract... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

Introduction .....•...................................................... G.. 2 

Acknowledgments" .........•. " . · .......•.....•• o •• o • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 3 

The bas in ............. o •••••••••••••••••••••• ·• ••••••••••• o • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 3 

Water useo "......................................................... 6 

Streamflow characteristics....................................... . . . . . . . 7 

Precipitation •••..............•....•.•....•.... o................. . . . 7 

S t re amf low. " ..•.••. o •••••••••• o ••• 

. 

o ••••••• o •••••• 9 

Time-of -travel measurements. o.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . o . 

• 

. 

• 

. 

• 

. 

• 

. 

• 

. 

• 

. 

• 

. 

• 

. 

• 

. 

• 

. 

• 

. 

• 

. 

• 

. 

• 

. 

• • 

. . 

• • • 

14 

Stream-quality characteristics .............•.............................. 23 

Regional variations ..•...... o •••••••••••••••••••• o ••• o • • • • • • • .. • • • 24 

Time variationso o •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 0................. 54 

Discussiono•o•••o•o•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••. 76 

References. . . . . . • . • . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 

ILLUSTRATIONS 

Figure 1. Map of the Raritan River bas in. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 

2. Map showing principal water-supply diversions and wastewater discharges......................................... 5 

3. Graph showing cumulative departure from normal of monthly 

precipitation, 1945-72................................... 8 

Map showing streamflow and stream-quality measurement sites 12 

5-10. Graphs showing: 

5. Flow-duration curves, Raritan River at Manville ..... 13 

6. Trend analysis of streamflow records at selected 

gaging stations.................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 

7. Dye-cloud dispersion, South Branch Raritan Rivero ... 19 

8. Variations in dye-peak traveltimes during different 

streamflow conditions ............................ 20 

9o Traveltime of a due cloud through Lake ..... 22 

10. Generalized relation between dissolved-solids concentration and streamflow ..•....• ; .- .......••........ " . 2 5 

11. Map showing boundaries of regions of similar stream 

quality and of physiographic provinces •.. o •••••• Q.. . • . . • . 2 

III 
ILLUSTRATIONS--Continued 

Figure 12-22. Graphs showing: 

12. Variations in phenol content and streamflow during 

a 24-hour surveillance.......................... 39 

13. Relation between suspended-sediment load and 

stream£ 1 ow ..•......•.............•..•••. o • • • • • • • 4 5 

14. Particle-size distribution of suspended sediment 

at selected sampling sites ... o········ ....... o.. 52 

15. Trend analyses of dissolved-solids concentration, 

Raritan and Millstone Rivers near Manville...... 55 

16. Relation between water discharge and dissolvedsolids concentration ..... a······················ 57 

17o Seasonal relation between water discharge and 

dissolved-solids concentration ... o••············ 59 

18. Trend analyses of DO concentration, Raritan and 

Millstone Rivers near Manville ............... o.. 62 

19. Relation between water discharge and DO concentration .. o•o•···································. 63 

20. Seasonal relation between water discharge and DO 

concentration. o ••• o o •••••••••••••••• o • • • • • • • • • • • 66 

21. Hourly variations in DO concentration and pH at 

three sampling sites •.•........•..•....... oooooo 70 

22. Time comparison of the average BOD and DO values 

during four stream surveys .•... o . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. • . 73 

TABLES 

Page 

Table 1. Descriptive material on streamflow and stream-quality 

stations operated by the U.S. Geological Surveyo•••o•••····· 10 

2. Summarized results of time-of-travel measurements •...... $ •••••• 18 

3. Maximum, minimum, and mean observations of major water-quality 

parameters at selected sampling sites, 1959-72 ••...•......•.. 29 

4o Chemical analyses of surface waters in the Raritan River basin, 

1923-25o•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••• 34 

5. Summary of observations of trace elements, 1963-?l.e.......... 36 

6. Summary of phenolic-material content of water samples collected 

at sampling sites .•...... o................................ . 37 

7. Pesticide analyses of water and bed-material samples....... .. 41 

8. Annual suspended-sediment yield at selected sampling stations .. 44 

9. Particle-size distribution of suspended sediments ............. 53 

IV 
v 
FACTORS FOR CONVERTING ENGLISH UNITS TO INTERNATION SYSTEM lJNITS 

The fol factors may be used to convert the ish units 

lished herein to the International System of Units 

Multiply English units By To obtain SI units 

inches (in) 2. 54 centimeters (em) 

feet (ft) 30.48 centimeters (em) 

miles (mi) 1. 609 kilometers (km) 

Area 

2 square miles (mi2) 2.590 square kilometers (km ) 

Flow 

3 cubic feet per second cubic meters per second (m Is) 

(ft31s) . 02 832 

million gallons per day (mgd) . 0Ld81 cubic meters per second (m3 Is) 

VI 
WATER QUALITY AND STREAMFLOW 

CHARACTERISTICS, RARITAN RIVER 

BASIN, NEW JERSEY 

By Peter W. Anderson and Samuel D. Faust 

ABSTRACT 

The findings of a problem-oriented river-system investigation 

of the stream-quality and streamflow characteristics of the Raritan 

River basin (1,105 square miles or 2,862 square kilometers drainage area) 

are described. The investigation covers mainly the period 1955-72. 

Precipitation in the basin is classified as ample and averages 

4 7 inches or 120 centimeters per year (3-5 inches or 8-12 centimeters per 

month). During the study period four general precipitation trends were 

noted: less than normal in 1955-61 and 1966-70; extreme drought in 1962-

66; and above normal in 1971-72. 

Analyses of streamflow measurements at eight gaging stations 

indicate a general trend toward lower flows during the study period, which 

is attributed to generally lower than normal precipitation. Highest flows 

were observed in 1958, concurrent with maximum annual precipitation; 

whereas lowest flo~s were observed in 1965 during extreme drought conditions. 

Non-tidal streams in the basin are grouped into three general 

regions of similar chemical quality based upon predominant constituents 

and dissolved-solids concentration during low-flow conditions. The 

predominant cations in solution in all regions are calcium and magnesium 

(usually exceeding 60 percent of total cation content). In headwater 

streams of the North and South Branch Raritan Rivers, bicarbonate is the 

predominant anion; a combination of sulfate, chloride, and nitrate are 

the predominant anions in the other two regions. The dissolved-solids 

concentration of streams in areas little influenced by man's activities 

generally range from 40 to 200 mg/1. Those in areas influenced by man 

often range much higher sometimes exceeding 800 mg/1. Suspended-sediment 

yields in the basin range from 25 to ~00 tons per square mile annually. 

The water quality of the Raritan River and most tributaries 

above Manville (784 square miles or 2,030 square kilometers drainage area) 

generally is good for most industrial, domestic, and recreational uses, 

although pollution has been reported locally in some areas. A comparison 

of chemical analyses of water collected at several sampling sites in the 

1920's with more recent data, however, indicate that there has been a 

significant increase in sulfate, chloride, and nitrate ions transported 

per unit of streamflow. These increases reflect increased waste-water 

discharges and nutrients in agricultural runoff in the upper basin. 

-1-
Trends in the dissolved-solids and dissolved-oxygen concentrat 

of water in the Raritan and Millstone Rivers above their confluence at 

Manville are described. The dissolved solids of the Millstone River are 

shown to increase,·particularly at low streamflows. For example, at a 

flow of 100 cubic feet per second (2.83 cubic meters per second) this 

river transported 13 percent more dissolved solids in 1969-70 than it 

did in 1957-58. A similar trend, however, was not apparent on the Raritan 

River. This phenomenon is attributed to dilution provided since 1964 by 

upstream reservoir releases during low flows. 

With the exception of low-flow periods on the Raritan River, 

dissolved-oxygen concentrations showed little or no significant time trends 

at Manville on either the Raritan or Millstone River. An improvement in 

dissolved-oxygen content at flows lower than 100 cubic feet per second 

(2.83 cubic meters per second) is observed with time on the Raritan River 

This improvement is attributed to generally better quality water and 

dilution of nonconservative pollutants by upstream reservoir releases 

during low flows. 

The Raritan River between Manville and Perth Amboy flows through 

a large urban and industrial complex. Much of this reach is tidal. 

Detrimental activities of man are reflected in higher concentrations of 

most constituents below Manville than those observed upstream. For example, 

between Manville and the head of tide near South Bound Brook, the maximum 

concentration of dissolved solids observed during the study period increased 

from 464 to 1,520 mg/1; orthophosphates from 0.93 to 2.3 mg/1; phenolic 

materials from 22 to 312 ug/1; and coliform bacteria from 13,300 to 100,000 

colonies per 100 milliliters. A general deterioration in water quality 

with time in the river below Manville is demonstrated through comparisons 

of dissolved-oxygen and biochemical-oxygen demand data collected between 

the late 1920's and early 1970's. 

Several time-of-travel measurements within the basin are reported. 

These data provide reasonable estimates of the time required for soluble 

contaminants to pass through particular parts of the river system. For 

example, the peak concentration of a contaminant injected into the river 

system at Clinton at a flow of 100 cubic feet per second (2.83 cubic meters 

per second) would be expected to travel to the head of tide near South 

Bound Brook, about 34 miles (55 kilometers), in about 70 hours; but at a flow 

of 50 cubic feet per second (1.42 cubic meters per second) the traveltime 

would increase to about 125 hours. 

INTRODUCTION 

The State of New Jersey, through its Department of Environmental 

Protection, and the U.S. Geological Survey, began a cooperative program in 

1962 to appraise the quality of the State's surface waters. Representing 

New Jersey in this program are the State Divisions of Water Resources and 

of Fish, Game, and Shellfisheries. The initial effort in this program was 

a reconnaissance (Anderson and George, 1966) of the water quality of the 

State's stream systems. This reconnaissance was used by the cooperating 

agencies in improving the design of sample collection and in determining 

-2-
the need for further work on specific problem-oriented river 

Results of the cooperative stream-qual sampl network, which followed 

the reconnaissance, have been reported by the U.S. Geological since 

1964 in an annual basic-data release titled '~ater Resources Data for New 

, Part 2. Water Qual Records''. The Passaic River basin was 

selected as the initial river-system to be investigated. Results of this 

effort were reported by Anderson and Faust (1973). 

The Raritan River basin was selected in 1965 to be the second 

river system for investigation. The project consisted of: (1) collecting 

data to define relations between stream quality and streamflow, precipitation, 

geology, arid urban and industrial development in the river system; (2) appraising the existence, nature, and magnitude of long-term trends in stream 

quality and streamflow; and (3) providing information on traveltimes 

for soluble contaminants to pass through parts of the river system. 

This report describes the results of this investigation, and 

summarizes the data collected. Also included are the summarized results 

of three previous studies of stream sedimentation, which were conducted in 

cooperation with the State Departments of Agriculture and of Environmental 

Protection, and the U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers. 

Acknowledgments 

The authors are indeed grateful to the following gentlemen for 

their most helpful advice, guidance, and support during this project: 

Mr. Richard J. Sullivan, former commissioner of the State Department of 

Environmental Protection; Messrs. C. M. Pike and E. R. Segesser, former 

director and assistant director, respectively, of the State Division of 

Water Resources; Mr. R. A. Cookingham, director of the State Division of 

Fish, Game, and Shellfisheries; and Mr. G. R. Shanklin, former director of 

the State Division of Water Policy and Supply. 

Acknowledgment is made also to Messrs. Jerry Caden and Al Lewis 

of the Elizabethtown Water Company, Mr. C. N. Durfor of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Mr. Richard Delgado of the State Division of 

Water Resources for their valued assistance in providing much of the basic 

stream-quality data upon which this report is based. The authors are 

exceedingly grateful also to Mr. A. Bruce Pyle of the State Division of 

Fish, Game, and Shellfisheries for the kind loan of analytical equipment 

necessary for the time-of-travel measurements; Brig. Gen. (ret'd.) 

William Whipple, Jr., director of the New Jersey Water Resources Research 

Institute, Rutgers University, for financial support as well as manpower 

for conducting several of these measurements; and several members of the 

staffs of the State Division of Water Resources and Water Resources 

Research Institute, who assisted in the collection of samples during these 

measurements. 

THE BASIN 

The Raritan River in central New Jersey (f . 1) drains 

approximately 1,105 mi2 (2,862 km2), the second largest basin within the 

-3-
figure 1.--Map o f the Raru . t a n River basin . 

-4-
-loc f principa I water-supply diversaons . and of on o . 

Figure 2.- . h a rg e sties. 

waste-w ater disc 

-5-
State exceeded 

within the State's 

areas are the 

South Branch Raritan River 

743 ), Green Brook (65.2 

344 ). The Raritan River and most of its tributaries are 

Fieldville Dam, about 14 mi km) above the river s mouth at 

The Raritan River basin is traversed the Delaware and Raritan 

Canal. This canal is a watercourse created diversion of the Delaware 

River. It is about 65 mi (105 km) ls the Delaware River from 

its diversion point at Raven Rock to Trenton, turns northeast to Prince 

parallels the Millstone and Raritan Rivers, and eventually flows into the 

Raritan River at the head of navigation in New Brunswick. Or inal used 

for navigation, the canal is used now as a source of industrial- and i.ewater supply. 

Use 

The basin is highly urbanized in its lower reaches and its water 

resources are utilized extensively. Although some of the water is used for 

recreational and agricultural purposes, particularly in the headwater areas 

of the North and South Branch Raritan and Millstone Rivers, the main use is 

as a source for both public and industrial supply and for the d of 

municipal and industrial waste waters. The location of six points of 

diversion of water for sources of potable water and 126 points of d 

of municipal and industrial wastes are shown in figure 2. 

Diversion for potable-water supply, including water from the 

Delaware and Raritan Canal, amounted to about 120 mgd (5.26 m3/s) in 1972 

(R. A. Webster, N.J. Div. of Water Resources, oral commun., 1972). Almost 

30 percent of this amount is drawn from the Canal. Three of the six watersupply purveyors withdraw about 95 percent of the total water diverted 

from basin streams or the adjacent canal at or below Manville. 

Treated industrial and municipal waste-water effluents dis 

into the basin streams in 1972 amounted to about 150 mgd (6 57 m3/s) 

(R. Delgado, N.J. Div. of Water Resources, oral comrnurr., 1972). Thirtyseven of the 126 treatment plants basinwide used streams at or below Manville as a receptor for their effluents. About 80 percent of the total 

discharged basinwide originates from these 37 plants. Slightly over 60 

percent of the total discharges, primarily by the Middlesex County 

Authority in Sayreville (76 mgd or 3.3 m3/s), are made in tidal areas below 

New Brunswick. 

Water requirements are related to the number of people living 

in an area or using its water resources. According to the 1970 Census 

(U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1971), the basin's ion was sl 

over 900,000. This compares with about 650,000 in 1960) 390,000 in 1950 

and 300,000 in 1940 (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1961). Much of this 

population is centered in the tidal reach of the basin. 

total population in the State was about 7. 

-6-
in 1960, 4.8 million in 1950, and 4.2 million in 1940. Therefore, about 

13 percent of the State's population lived within the basin's boundaries 

in 1970, as compared with about 11 percent in 1960. Projected population 

increases suggest a continued expansion in the demands upon the basin's 

water resources. 

STREAMFLOW CHARACTERISTICS 

The ultimate source of water in the Raritan River and its 

tributaries is precipitation. However, not all of the 47 in (120 em) of 

precipitation on the basin becomes streamflow. Rely and others (1961, p. 6-

7) estimates that water loss in the basin is 25 to 26 in (63-66 em) per year 

in the headwater areas, decreasing to 23 to 24 in (58-61 em) per year in the 

lower reaches. Evapotranspiration accounts for most of this water loss. 

Precipitation 

Climatologic data for most of the basin are presented as part of 

the State's northern climatologic division by the National Weather Service 

It is reasonable, on the basis of data presented by Rely and others (1961), 

to assume that variations in precipitation, as computed for the northern 

division, probably are representative of those for the basin. Average 

annual precipitation in the northern division, based on the standard 

reference period, 1931-60, (World Meteorological Organization, 1956) is 

46.96 in (119 em) (U.S. Weather Bureau, 1963). The lowest monthly average, 

2.9 in (7.4 em), normally occurs in February and the highest, 4.9 in (12.4 

em), in August. 

Because much of the following discussion on streamflow and stream 

quality is based on records collected from 1955 to 1972, a general understanding of the magnitude and extend of variations in precipitation during 

this period is important. Variations from 1945 are illustrated on a 

cumulative-departure curve (fig. 3). 

This curve is useful in defining precipitation trends. After 

1955, four general trends (dashed lines) are apparent, as are several 

minor trends. After 1955, the slope of the departure curve recedes gently 

until late 1961, indicating a slow change to less than normal precipitation. 

The change to a sharply negative slope in late 1961 marks the beginning 

of 5 consecutive years of severe drought (Barksdale and others, 1966). 

The Palmer Index of Meteorologic Drought (Palmer, 1965) indicated that 

meteorologic drought in the basin began in August 1961 and ended in 

September 1966(D. V. Dunlap, National Weather Service, written commun., 

1968). From 1966 to 1970, the slight downward slope of the departure 

curve indicates a continuation of less than normal precipitation, but not 

the deficiency observed during the preceding drought years. A recovery 

to above normal precipitation is evident after 1970. 

-7-
I 

co 

I 

z 

QU') +40 

-w 

t-J: 

~u +20 

a.._ -z 

uz 

w_ 

0::: 

a.. ... w 

w "' -20 >=> 

- t-

...... "' .....:( .....:( -40 -Ia.. 

=>w 

~Q 

:J 

u 

L_ 

1945 

figure 3.--Cumulative departure from normal of monthly precipitation for New Jersey's northern 

climatologic division, 1945-72. Dashed lines repres~nt apparent trends. (Based on Natl. Weather 

Service recs. ) 
Streamflow 

Streamflow data in the Raritan River basin have been collected 

in the U.S. Geological Survey's cooperative program with the State and 

other government agencies at 30 continuous-recording gaging· stations, 

23 (fig. 4) of which are operated currently (1972). In addition, reservoir 

content is measured at two sites and water diversion at three sites. These 

data are augmented by random streamflow measurements at an additional 59 

low-flow and 22 crest-stage partial-record stations. Basic streamflow 

records collected in the basin from 1903-1965 are in compilation 

form (U.S. Geological Survey, 1960, p. 173-191; 1964, p. 132-147; and 1970 

p. 424-476). In addition, since 1961 streamflow records are published 

in annual basic-data releases titled '~ater Resources Data for New Jersey 

Part 1. Surface Water Records." 

Two techniques are used herein for the presentation and analysis 

of streamflow data: flow-duration and moving-average analysis. Flowduration analysis (Searcy, 1959) involves the computation, based on 

mean discharge values, of the percentage of time during a given period in 

which specified discharges are equaled or exceeded at a particular 

site. 

Flow-duration curves for the Raritan River at Manville (fig. 4, 

site 9) during four different time periods are presented in figure 5. 

Changes in streamflow patterns with time can be observed by comparing 

curves for different time periods. For example, the flow in the Raritan 

River at Manville during the recent drought, 1962-66, can be compared with 

the other time periods plottede Curves for the period of record, 1904-06 

1922-72; for the standard reference period, 1931-60; and for the study 

period, 1955-72 are similar. In fact, that for the period of record is 

identical to that for the standard reference period. However, streamflows 

were significantly lower during the drought at all percentages of time. 

A summary of the data obtained from a computer analyses of 

discharge information at gaging stations in the basin is included in table 1 

Data for 1931-60 were obtained from Miller (1966, p. 46-51). Comparison 

of flow-duration data for gaging stations other than Manville also indicates 

little variation in streamflow values for the different time periods 

tabulated. Values in table 1 can be used to construct curves similar to 

those in figure 5 for these stations. 

The second technique used to analyze streamflow data, mov 

averages, involves the sequential calculation and graphing of values 

obtained by averaging data for successive time periods. Moving averages 

tend to dampen the extremes of short-term fluctuations in the chronological 

sequence of the parameter that is analyzed. Although such curves can be 

used to indicate large general trends with time, they are seldom used for 

the determination of small variations, nor should they be used for 

quantitative results without an additional serial-correlation analyses. 

Thus, significant predictions or projections cannot be made with this 

technique. 

-9-
Table 1. --DescriEtive material on streamflow and st~guality stations operC:lt:?c:lJ~y the u.s. 

Geological Survey. 

Map no. Drainage Data P.:riod ;:~f Lc,ng-term Discharge, in cfs < equaled or exceeded the indicated 

(fig. 4) Stream and location type discharge a1verage pt.rceotage ·.1f 

(mi2) 1ecord flow (ftl/s) Period 10 25 

So. Br. Raritan R. 

nr. High Bridge 65.3 QCTS 1918-7' 114 1919-70 6C J :n DS 79 33 22 

1931-60 6:.0 728 140 81 " 48 23 " Spruce Run 

at Clinton 41.3 Q'.:TS }, 9 5 9 - 7 ~ 48.1 

So. Br. Raritan R. 

at Stanton 14/ QCTS 1903-06, 229 1920-70 135J i.SS 267 150 82 55 33 

1919-7! 1931-60 148·} <80 ;ao 162 88 55 32 

nr. Flemington 2.24 Q 1936-60 

25.7 Q 1930-72. 33.7 

No. Br. Raritan R. 

nr. Far Hills 26.2 QCS '921-72 45.4 1922-70 262 92 ss 31 16 9.2 3.8 

1931-f.O 270 97 54 33 18 9.9 3.8 

lwmington R. 

nr. Pottersville 32.8 Q ; 921-72 53.1 

8 No. Br. Raritan R. 

1.924-IJ 2200 ,60 310 168 8l 49 21 ' or. Rarir:an 190 QCS 1923-72 28b 

1931-EO 2300 90 325 180 87 50 23 

1904-Ufi 

QCS 1.903-0.'. 122 1922-:'0 55CO l.0.70 770 400 195 110 50 

..:.921-7.! 1931-60 57001580 820 425 191 lOS 48 

497 

Millstone R. 

at P1ain$boro 65.8 Q 1964-72 81.7 

12 Baldwin Gk. at Baldwin 

L., nr. Pennington 2. 52 QCTS 

13 H-oney Branch 

nr. Pennington • 70 QS 1967-72 

14 Stony Brk. 

at Princeton 44.5 QCT~ 1953-72 56.7 

15 Millstone R. 

nr. Kingston 117 Q c933-49 239 

16 Delaware .and Raritan 

Canal at Kingston Q 1947-72 

17 Millstone R. 

at Blackwell& Mills 258 QCS 1921-72 358 1922-70 2750 770 J75 192 99 57 

1931-60 2700 790 i.OO 196 luu 59 19 

18 Royce Brk. Trib. 

at Frankford .29 Q 1968-72 

Royce Brk. Trib. 

nr, Belle Mead 1. 20 Q 1966-72 

t 

I0 
Table 1.--Descriptive material on streamflow and stream-quality stations operated by the U.S. 

Geological Survey--Continued. 

Map no. 

(fig. 4) Stream and location 

Drainage 

area 

(mi2) 

Data 

type 

Period of 

discharge 

record 

Long-term 

average 

flow (ft3/s) 

Discharge, in cfs, equaled or exceeded the indicated 

percentage of time 

Period 1 10 25 50 75 90 99 

20 

nr. Manville 287 CT 

21 Raritan R. bel. Calco 

Dam, at Bound Brook 785 Q 1903-09. 

1944-7:~ 1,177 

1904-08. 

1945-70 

1931-60 

8900 

8600 

2450 

2460 

1250 

1250 

620 

610 

300 

298 

158 

176 

68 

58 

22 Raritan R. at Queens 

Br., at Bound Brook -- cs 

23 Green Brk. 

at P 1ainfie1d 9. 7 5 Q 1938-72 11.8 

24 

at Middlesex -- Q 197 2 

25 Green Brk. 

at Bourid Brook 50.2 Q 1923-30 73.7 

' 

' 

26 Raritan R. 

nr. So. Bound Brook 862 CT 

27 Lawrence Brk. 

at Patricks Corner 29 Q 1922-26 

28 LaYrence Brk. 

at Farrington Dam 34.4 Q 1927-72 37.3 

29 Manalapan Brk. 

at Spotswood 40.7 QC 1957-72 61.2 

30 Matchaponix Brk. 

at Spotswood 43.9 QC 1957-67 62.5 

31 South R. 

at Old Bridge 94.6 QC 1939-72 131 

32 Deep Run 

nr. Browntown 8.07 Q 1932-41) 14.0 

33 Tennent Brk. 

nr. Browntown 5. 25 Q 1932-41 

34 Raritan R. 

at Perth Amboy 1,101 QS 1966-7:2 

Q - daily discharge 

C - chemical analyses 

T - daily temperature records 

S - sediment records 

I 

1-

1-

I 
EXPLANATION 

-··- Droinagoe divide 

A Gaging stnlion 

[';. Di>eon!inued gage 

"f Wa!er- quality station 

+ Guge and woter-- quality sioiion 

figure 4.--location of streamflow and stream~quali .... 

Numbers refer to station descriptions g n in tab 

measurement si 

L 

-12-
0 

z 

0 

u 

w 

f./) 

c.c: 

w 

Q., 

1-

w 

w 

LL 

u 

iCQ 

=> 

u 

z 

w 

C) 

"' ~ 

:I: 

u 

en 

0 

"' w 

1-

~ 

~ 

1,000 

100 

PERCENTAGE Of TIME DISCHARGE INDICATED WAS 

EQUALED OR EXCEEDED 

Figure 5.~-flow-duration curves, Raritan River at Manville. 

-13-
As used in this report, the moving average is on a 12-month 

cycle; data points represent the preceding 12-month average. Examples 

of curves produced by such analyses of mean monthly streamflow at two 

gaging stations on the Raritan River main stem, at two stations in the 

Millstone River system, and at two stations each in the North and South 

Branch Raritan River systems are illustrated in figure 6. 

A comparison of long-term average streamflow (dashed lines) 

with the moving averages indicates that after 1955 streamflow general 

exceeded the long-term average in 1956, 1958, 1960-61, 1967-68, and 1970-

72. Likewise, streamflows generally were less than the long-term average 

in 1955, 1959, 1962-66, and 1969. In general, the highest flows were 

observed in 1952, whereas the lowest were observed in 1965. 

The plots of moving averages indicate a general trend toward 

decreasing streamflow between 1955 and 1972. These downward trends are 

most apparent at the most downstream gaging stations when the moving 

average plot is compared with long-term average flows (dashed lines). 

Similar trends toward decreasing flows can be observed at the other 

gaging stations illustrated, although they are not as apparent due to 

lower discharge values and their plotting scale. 

However, any interpretation that this apparent trend represents 

the long term, and not just the time period illustrated, may be inaccurate 

in that abnormally high streamflows occurred during the early part of the 

period illustrated and abnormally low flows during the later part. 

The influence of the 1962-66 drought in reducing flows in the 

river system is evident. Interestingly, the average annual flows after 

the drought at the gaging stations illustrated did not exceed the recorded 

long-term average discharge (dashed lines) until 1970, except for a short 

period in 19 6 7. 

Time-of-Travel Measurements 

River systems, particularly those near metropolitan areas, transport, dilute, and assimilate waste waters discharged by industries and 

municipalities. Many contaminants introduced into river systems either are 

dissolved or are dispersed in a fine suspension and generally are assumed 

to travel at the same rate as the water particle that transports them. 

Water-pollution control and abatement work has demonstrated a need for more 

accurate knowledge of the movement of such materials in streams. 

No truly satisfactory method for determining the rate of movement 

of a water mass through a river system existed before the use of soluble 

dye tracers. Use of these dyes, technical aspects of their measurement and 

application, and interpretation of results have been reported previously by 

many authors, among whom are Pritchard and Carpenter (1960), Buchanan (1964), 

Wilson (1968), and Kilpatrick and others (in press). 

-14-
' 

l 

SOUTH BRANCH RARITAN RIVER SYSTEM 

Sooth Bronch Rontan R1ver at Stanton 

a 

z 

0 300 

u 

w 

(/) 

~ 200 

w 

Q.. 

tw 

w 

u.. 

u 1960 !965 

1:10 

:::> 

u NORTH BHANCH RARITAN RIVER SYSTEM 

z 

w 

C) North Branch Raritan Rive-r nror Raritan 

0:: 

< J: 400 

u 

(/) 

a 

~ 

w 

t-

< 

~ Branch Raritan Rtver ne-or Far Hil Is ~ 

1960 

figure 6.--Trend analysis, based on 12 month moving averages, of streamflow records at 

selected gaging stations. Horizontal dashed line represents long-term average flow at 

gaging station. 

I 

1-

V

I 
RARITAN RIVER MAIN STEM 

2200~r-r--r---r--.--.-,------.--,----,--:~~-~-,----,----,-,---,-,----,----,---.----.---

a 

/Rari!on River be-low Colco dam, Of Boofld Brcok 

z 

0 

u 

w 

en 

g::ag: 

w 

Q. 

.... 

w 

~--

w 

u... 

u 1945 

co 

:::::> 

u MILLSTONE RIVER SYSTEM 

z 

w 000 

~ 

«:¥: 

<( 

l: 

u 

en 

a 

iCiil: 

w 

.... 

<( 

~ /Stony Brook at Princeton 

·- IMO 

Figure 6.--Continued 

1-' ' 

0\

I 
As mentioned in the introduction of this report, one of the 

project;s objectives was to provide information necessary to predict 

accurately the amount of time required for a soluble contaminant to pass 

through finite lengths of the Raritan River system. Data were collected 

on 76 mi (122 km) of stream channel: 12 mi (19 km) on the Raritan River 

25 mi (40 km) on the Millstone River; 14 mi (23 km) on the North Branch 

Raritan; 22 mi (35 km) on the South Branch Raritan River; and 3 mi (5 

on Matchaponix Brook, a tributary of South River. Results of these 

measurements are summarized on table 2. 

An effort was made during each measurement to achieve vertical 

and lateral dispersion of the dye (Rhodamine BA or WT) within a short 

distance of its introduction into the watero The effect of longitudinal 

dispersion on the dye was studied during the June 1969 measurement in each 

of the stream reaches. For example, the successive diminution at four 

downstream sites of the peak concentration with time and distance of a 

cloud produced by a single injection in the South Branch Raritan River at 

Clinton is illustrated in figure 7. Note on this graph that the concentration 

curve flattens and becomes more skewed as the dye moves downstream. The 

reduction in dye concentration at each successive site is not entirely 

due to dispersion characteristics, as indicated by the decrease in area 

under each curve. Some is due to dilution effects from tributary inflow 

some to the loss of dye on streambed materials and vegetation, and some to 

photochemical decay. 

The data presented in table 2 indicate the variability of traveltime within the Raritan River basin. For example, mean velocities of the 

dye peak ranged from 1.62 ft/s (49.4 cm/s) on the main stem and North Branch 

during the March 1971 measurement to 0.062 ft/s (1.9 cm/s) through 

Lake during May 1968. In all measurements, velocities in the measured reach 

related directly with streamflow; that is, as flows increased, velocities 

increased. In general, velocities observed at intermediate sampling sites 

were highest in the headwater areas of the North and South Branches and the 

Millstone River, reflecting the steeper channel gradients in these areas. 

Observations at intermediate sampling sites also indicate a general decrease 

in velocity in a downstream direction. This phenomenon reflects also the 

lesser channel gradients, and, in addition, the broadening and deepening of 

the channel, and, in some parts of a reach, the pending of water by several 

small dams. Velocities in the North and South Branch Raritan Rivers are 

higher than those in the Millstone River, reflecting the lesser channel 

gradient and relatively deeper and wider channel of the Millstone River. 

Variations in the traveltime of the peak dye concentration 

different streamflow conditions are shown in figure 8 for selected reaches 

in the Raritan River system. Because each curve is based on only two 

measurements (table 2), interpolation must be made with caution. A more 

reliable definition ~ould require additional data, particularly during 

lower streamflow patterns. This, however, should not hinder the use of 

these graphs to provide the best available estimate of traveltimes except 

for extreme discharge rates. 

-17-
I 

1-' 

00 

I 

Table 2.--Summarized results of time-of-travel measurements. 

Channel 

reach 

Length 

(mi) 

Channel 

fall 

Date of 

study (f t 3 ~;~eam~!:;at ion) Leading 

traveltime 

edge 

velocity 

Peak concentration 

traveltime velocity 

(see fig. 1) (ft/mi) (hr) (ft/s) (hr) (ft/s) 

SOUTH BRANCH RARITAN RIVER 1 

Clinton to 21.8 5. 7 06-18-69 91 72 46.2 o. 69 53.9 0. 59 

North Branch 03-23-71 414 13 17.6 1. 82 20.5 1. 56 confluence 

NORTH BRANCH RARITAN RIVER 2 

Far Hills to 14.4 10.1 06-18-69 114 61 26.1 • 81 31.6 . 67 

South Branch 03-23-71 4J'7 12 11.3 1. 87 13.0 1. 62 

con£ luence 

!!ILLSTONE RIVER.3 

Hightstown to 8. 4 3.0 05-06-68 182 55 13.4 .92 15.2 • 81 Carnegie Lake 

inflow 

Carnegie Lake 2. 6 -- 05-05-68 189 56 60.8 • 063 62.0 .062 

Carnegie Lake 13.9 1.8 06-18-69 179 52 34.1 • 60 42.6 .48 outflow to 03-23-71 4:58 21 18.8 1.08 22.6 . 90 Weston 

RARI"rAN RIVER4 

North-South 12.4 3. 2 06-18-69 344 62 28.4 • 64 34.3 • 53 

Branch confluence 03-23-71 1, 700 16 9. 8 1. 86 11.2 1. 62 to Fieldville dam 

MATCHAPONIX BROOKS 

Englishtown to 2. 8 10.7 03-17-71 47 53 6. 0 • 68 6. 8 • 60 Redshaw Corner 

Streamflow based on Stanton gage (fig. 4, site 3). 

Streamflow based on Raritan gage (site 8). 

Strealllflow based on Blackwells Mills gage (site 17). 

Streamflow based on Bound Brook gage (site 21). 

Streamflow based on Manalapan Brook gage (site 29). 
~ 100 

0 

~ 

.<( 

:I: 

1-

<C( 

z 

0 

1-

< 

ere:: 

z 1-

z 

0 w 

i= u 

<( z ere:: 0 1- u z 

w ~ 

u <C( 

z w 

0 Q, 

u u.. 

w 0 

> w 0 <.!) 

<C( 

1-

z 

w 

u Bridges 

ere:: 

w 

Q, 

z 

~Flagtown 

0 

0 8 

~ 64 

TRAVElTIME, IN HOURS AFTER DYE INJECTION 

figure 7.--Dye-doud dispersion with both time and distance, South Branch Raritan River. 

I 

1-' 

\0 

I 
500 

U') 

ex:: 

::> 

0 L 

::c 

z 

-

w 

~ 

t-

.....J 

w 

> 

1( 

at: 

t10 

30 50 

Figure 8.--Vori 

@ 

CD Bran ch--CI into n -No B 

®North Branch-Far Hills-South Br. Conf. 

@Millstone-Kingston to Weston Mills 

@Raritan-North-South Br. Con f. to South 

Bound Brook 

' 

iOO 500 1000 

DISCHARGE AT MOST DOWNSTREAM GAGE, 

IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND 

2000 

ns in peak traveltime during different stream c n itio 

I 

N 

0 

I 
This particular type of plot, ovf/r a range of discharge rates, can 

be of particular interest to water user. Consider, for example, that a spill 

of some toxic material occurs on the South Branch Raritan River at Clinton 

(fig. 1). Assuming a discharge of 100 ft3/s (2.83 m3/s) in the South Branch 

Raritan River reach, the traveltime between Clinton and the confluence with 

the North Branch Raritan River would be 51 hr. Likewise, assuming a discharge 

of 550 ft3/s (15.6 m3/s) (based on increased drainage area) on the main stem, 

the traveltime between the North-South Branch confluence and Fieldville dam 

on the Raritan River would be 22 hr. Thus, the expected traveltime of the 

peak concentration of the spill from Clinton to the head of tide near South 

Bound Brook, a distance of 34 mi (55 km), is 73 hr. A simple calculation 

predicts that the mean velocity of the peak concentration would be 0.68 ft 

(21 cm/s) at the assumed streamflow condition. At 50 ft3/s (1.42 m3/s) in 

the South Branch and 250 ft3/s (7.08 m3/s) in the main stem, the estimated 

traveltime would be 126 hr or a mean velocity of 0.40 ft/s (12 cm/s). 

An additional time-of-travel measurement made in the basin was 

not included in table 2, as it was conducted during non-steady-state 

conditions. Buchanan (1968) compared flood-wave and water-particle traveltimes from Spruce Run Reservoir (fig. 1) to the Elizabethtown Water Company's 

intake at Manville, a distance of about 30 mi (48 km). The flood wave's 

traveltime was determined by increasing the reservoir release by 135 ft3/s 

(3.82 m3/s) and observing changes in water stage at selected points downstream. 

Traveltime of the water particles was measured by injecting Rhodamine B dye 

in the reservoir outfall and tracing its passage at downstream sampling 

points. 

The flood wave moved 1.1 to 2.2 times faster than the peak dye 

concentration. Thus, additional quantities of water were available downstream from the reserJoir before the arrival of the reservoir's water. 

Buchanan noted that the mean velocity of the water particles traveling 

through the pools behind six small dams in the reach were much slower than 

that in natural channels, but that the velocity of the flood wave tended to 

increase behind these dams. 

In addition to slower traveltimes through a pooled area, other 

factors can produce a sizable fluctuations in the passage time of a dye cloud. 

The curve plotted in figure 9 represents the measurement of a dye cloud on 

the Millstone River between Penns Neck and Kingston. This 2.65 mi (4.26 km) 

reach is through a manmade lake, Carnegie Lake. The leading edge of the dye 

cloud was detected 60.8 hr (0.063 ft/s or 2.0 cm/s), and the peak, 62.0 hr 

(0.062 ft/s or 1.9 cm/s) after injection. However~ seven additional dye 

peaks were observed for at least 14 hr (when sampling was discontinued) 

after that of the peak concentration. These fluctuations probably reflect 

differences in traveltime through the lake due to current variations resulting from depth, density, or temperature patterns. 

-21-
100 

w 

(!) 

~ z 

w z u 0 

a: - W!;:{ 

a.. 0::: 

..._ 

z z 

w 

u A z 

z 0 

0 u 

Ei ~ a: <i 

r w 

z a.. I 

w 

u V z IJ... 

oo 

u 

w 

b 

42 48 54 60 66 72 78 

TRAVEL TIME , IN HOURS AFTER DYE INJECTION 

figure 9.--Travehime of a dye cloud through Carnegie lake, May 1968. 

N

f'
STREAM-QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS 

Basic records (1928-42, 1958 to present) of the quality of the 

basin's streams have been collected by several State agencies. Generally, 

these records are unpublished, but are available for inspection from the 

State Division of Water Resources. In addition, some information is 

available from the State Division of Fish, Game, and Shellfisheries, and 

from various research laboratories at Rutgers-The State University. 

Stream-quality records collected by the State are augmented 

and supplemented by those of water-supply agencies, conservation groups, 

sewage authorities, and industrial-water userso For example, extensive 

sampling programs are conducted by the Middlesex County Sewerage Authority, 

Elizabethtown Water Company~ American Cyanamid Corp., Johns-Manville Corp., 

Upper Raritan Watershed Association, South Branch Raritan River Watershed 

Association, and Stony Brook-Millstone Watersheds Association, to mention 

a fewo These records generally are unpublished, but are available in 

local offices. 

In addition, some basic stream-quality records have been collected 

by Federal agencies; mainly, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and 

the U.S. Geological Survey. 

Records collected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

also generally are unpublished; however, such records can be obtained 

readily upon request. Summary tabulations and graphical profiles of 

water-quality parameters are found in the proceedings of enforcement conferences, mainly pertaining to pollution in the tidal Raritan Bay and 

adjacent interstate waters, held by this agency under the provisions of the 

Federal Water Pollution Control Act. 

The U.S. Geological Survey has reported its water-quality studies 

within the basin in five interpretive reports: Leighton (1902), Collins and 

Howard (1927), George (1963), (Mansue and Anderson, in press), and Anderson 

and George (1966). 

In addition to these five interpretive reports, basic water-quality 

data collected as a part of its cooperative programs with State and other 

governmental agencies are published annually in water-supply paper titled 

"Quality of Surface Waters of the United States." Beginning with the 1964 

water year, water-quality data also are published in annual basic-data released titled 'Water Resources Data for New Jersey, Part 2. Water Quality 

Records." 

Results of an analysis of regional, long-term, seasonal, and 

diurnal variations in the water quality of streams in the basin are described 

in this section. Emphasis is placed on chemical and biochemical water quality, 

because of the greater amounts of data available on these parameters. However, discussions are presented on physical water quality, where significant 

data are available. 

-23-
Regional Variations 

Water contains varying amounts of dissolved and particulate matter 

throughout the hydrologic cycle. As moisture condenses and falls the 

atmosphere, it absorbs gases and dust particles, bacteria, spores, and other 

matter. Consequently, as precipitation reaches the earth, it carries small 

quantities of dissolved and suspended ciatter. Although the dissolved-solids 

content of precipitation is variable (based on ished random chemical 

analyses of rainfall), in New Jersey it probably does not exceed 30 

except during an intense storm, such as a hurricane. 

Most water flowing in a New Jersey stream periods of 

flow is from direct overland runoff. Because this water has had little 

contact time with soluble materials, its dissolved solids genera reflect 

the concentration and composition of precipitation. , the dis 

solved-solids content of New Jersey streams 

not always, at minimum values (Anderson and p. 

Conversely the dissolved-solids content of most streams 

periods of low flow is generally at maximum values. low flow the 

natural flow in a stream channel is maintained almost entire by 

water inflow. ly, dissolved solids at low flows reflect the 

concentration and composition of the ground-water inflow. Because of it 

longer contact with soluble materials, ground water has as 

dissolved-solids content than does surface runoff. 

Under normal conditions, the dissolved·-solids content of a stream 

during intermediate flow is a composite of both the of -water 

inflow and the qual of direct runoff and is the amount 

streamflow contributed from each source. 

The generalized relation between the dissolved-solids content and 

streamflow at five sampl locations are plotted in 10 to illustrate 

their variation with flow. An inverse relation between dissolved-solids 

content and streamflow is shown. The concentrations of calcium, magnesium, 

sodium, potassium, bicarbonate or alkal , sulfate, chloride, and hardness 

show similar relations. 

The relation between dissolved-solids content and streamflow in a 

Ne"tv Jersey stream unaffected by man s activities should remain constant 

with time at a particular sampling site. Al1y in the relation 

caused by relatively slow changes in weathering processes. The 

scatter in the dissolved solids-streamflow relation at Bound Brook 10) 

in relation to other stations illustrated may reflect man's activities, as 

this reach of the main stem receives large volumes of treated and 

industrial waste-waters. 

-24-
2000 

z 

0 

..... 

..-( 

~ 

...... ~ 

z w 

w ...... 

u .....J 

z "' 0 w

u Q.. 

(/) 

en 

a ~ 

....I ~ 

0 "' 

en C) 

I .....J 

.....J 

a - w ~ 

> 

....I z 

0 

(f) 

(f) 

a 

10 

b. 

b. b. 

b. 

---------~ 

----------....~~-----::----o......______A..::::::::::: oo 0 • ~~.~~ ~. i' ':-oooo :r.___~~ o o g.o o 0 '!. 0 o0 0 

rP ,p • 0 -0-.., .._..,__ ..... .----. ;---'!.-- .11...::_ -W' .::zr::-.! ~~ ~ .::::s 0. -· ....... ~-¥'~--.... • 0 

----__._ ...... ~ ... ... 

• • • 

• South Branct1 Raritan River at Stonton 

o ·North Branch Raritan River near Raritan 

1111 Raritan River at Manville 

o Millstone River at Blockwells Mills 

b. Raritan River at Bound Brook 

• 

~,o------~~---L--~-5~o~~~~,o~o--------~----~--~~50~o-L-L~~~--------~--~---L~_~_-L-L~~--

WATER DISCHARGE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND 

figure 10.--Generalized relation b•!'tween dissolved-solids concentration and 

strea at sampling sites. 

I 

N 

ln

I 
The chemical character and dissolved-solids content of basin streams 

above the influence of tide were mapped by regions of similar and compared with physiography. The boundaries of both the regions of similar tream 

quality and physiographic provinces are shown in figure 11. 

The map was compiled from an analysis of stream-quality data collected 

during low-streamflow conditions at over 50 sampling sites. Consequent , the 

regions generally reflect the chemical quality of influent ground waters, which 

maintain the river system's base flows. 

Streams draining region 1, which are large in and include most of 

the New England Upland physiographic province, are low in dissolved-solids 

content, generally less than 200 mg/1. The stream waters range from soft to 

moderately hard (generally less than 100 mg/1 calcium, magnesium hardness as 

CaC03) and are neutral to slightly alkaline (pH 6.8-7.9). The predominant 

cations are calcium plus magnesium (70-90 percent), whereas the predominant 

anion is bicarbonate ( 60-·80 ) , but occasional samples with 

than normal pH's contain some carbonate. The pe of calcium and 

magnesium bicarbonate is attributed in part to the presence of the Kittat 

Limestone of Cambrian-Ordovician ageo 

Streams in region 2, which includes most of the Piedmont Lowland 

are slightly higher in dissolved-solids content (100-250 mg/1) than those 

draining region 1. The predominant cations are also calcium plus magnesium 

(70-90 percent), but the predominant anions (50-70 ) are sulfate and 

chloride plus nitratea Stream waters are neutral to ly alkaline 

(pH 6. 7-8.1) and range from moderately hard to very hard (75-200 mg/1 calcium 

magnesium hardness as CaC03). The high percentages of calcium and magnesium 

sulfate are attributed in part to the presence of gypsum and red shales in 

the underlying geologic units. 

The remaining region of similar qual , region 3, corresponds with 

the Inner Coastal Plain. The virtual lack of solutes in the ing geo 

logic units, mainly 1.imconsolidated deposits of sand and , is reflected in 

the lowest dissolved-solids content (50-150 mg/1) and hardness (40-75 mg/1) 

of the three regions. The predominant cations are calcium plus magnesium 

(60-80 percent), whereas predominant anions are sulfate and chloride, 

nitrate (80-100 percent). The high percentage of sulfate in streams 

this region is attributed to the oxidation of pyrite found in 

glauconitic sediments underlying this area. The 

and magnesium is attributed to fossil shell beds present it . 

A few streams in each of the three regions may not fall within these 

general limitations. Also, as stream qual in the main stem is 

variable, particularly below Manville, due to man's activities, the water 

assigned on figure 11 may or may not represent the normal. 

High, low and mean values of major chemical and biochemical 

parameters observed at major sampling sites (f . 4) are given in table 

A comparison with analyses reported earlier by Collins and Howard 

indicates that the concentrations of many constituents have changed, 

-2 6-
NEW JERSEY 

40°50' 

.,....,_ .. ~ ... , Drainage divide 

...... ---...-.-

Phystcgraphic Province 

region boond<ry 

Mrles 

3 

f i g u r e 11 . -- R e g i o n s o f s i m il a r s tr e a m q u a li ty a n d o f p h y s i o g r a p h i 

province boundaries. 

-2 7-
at main stem sampling sites. In general, concentrations of major ions during 

the earlier period are similar to the minimum concentration during the later 

Consequently, the chemical quality of the earlier samples, which 

a wide range of streamflow conditions, is comparable to that of 

recent samples only during high streamflow. Note that at sites in the North 

and South Branch Raritan Rivers and in the Millstone River subbasin, the 

concentration of sulfate, chloride, and nitrate increased between the 1920's 

and the present, probably reflecting increased municipal waste-water disand increased nutrient levels in agricultural runoff. The increases 

in concentrations are undoubtedly significant and not totally related to 

in analytical procedures between the two observation periods. 

In addition to major ions, the concentration of trace elements, 

that is, those which generally do not exceed 1000 ug/1 in waters, were 

measured at 11 sampling sites. A summary of observed concentrations of the 

individual trace elements is given in table 5. The samples were analyzed by 

methods as described by Barnett and Mallory (1971). 

Bismuth, beryllium, cadmium, germamium, tin, and zinc were mostly 

below analytical sensitivity. The analytical sensitivity for zinc using 

spectrographic methods (Barnett and Mallory, 1971) is poor. Thus, the values 

given do not indicate the actual zinc content. 

Iron and manganese, which normally meet the criterion of trace 

elements, were in concentrations that allowed normal methods of analysis 

(Brown and others, 1970). Observed concentrations of these elements also 

are included in table 3. 

A comparison of data collected within this basin (table 5) with 

those collected in other parts of the State (Anderson, 1970) indicates the 

of higher concentrations of trace elements within the basin, 

in the main stem, than normally found in other New Jersey 

streams. For example, observation at 35 non-tidal sampling sites statewide 

showed maximum concentrations of the following trace elements: barium (180 

ug/1), boron (570 ug/1), chromium (350 ug/1), copper (340 ug/1), lithium 

(27 ug/1), molybdenum (14 ug/1), rubidium (16 ug/1), and strontium (1,100 

ug/1) Thus, maximum or near maximum concentrations of the elements listed 

were observed in the basin. This could be related either to the discharge 

of industrial and municipal waste waters or to variations in surficial 

geology. However, because of the dens of industrial plants along the 

main stem, it seems reasonable to assume that waste-water discharges are 

their prinicpal source. 

Because streams in the basin are receiving and transporting 

increasing amounts of agricultural, domestic and industrial waste waters, 

orthophosphate (table 3), methylene blue active substances (table 3), 

phenolic materials (table 6), and pesticides (tables 7) were included in the 

ical determinations of some water samples. Significant amounts of 

these four parameters are not normally found in unpolluted waters. They can 

be used, therefore, as indicators of waste-water discharges. 

-28-
Table 3.--Maximum, minimum and mean observations of major water-quality parameters at selected sampling 

sites in the Raritan River basin, 1959-72. Analyses in milligrams per liter except as noted. 

South Branch Spruce Run South Branch 

Raritan River near at Clinton Raritan River at 

High Bridge (reservoir outlet) Stanton 

Maximum Minimum Mean Maximum Minimum Mean Maximum Minimum Mean 

Number of samples 82 68 98 

Silica (Si0 2 ) 15 6.2 11 25 1.7 12 15 4.6 10 

Iron (Fe) ~g/1 850 50 274 1800 55 406 5900 35 445 

Manganese (Mn) ~g/1 482 0 57 980 0 240 420 0 66 

Calcium (Ca) 21 6.5 16 34 9.0 17 22 8.2 17 

Magnesium (Mg) 

Sodium (Na) 

13 

8.1 

2.8 

2.2 

7.8 

5.6 

18 

24 

4.0 

2.2 

6.8 

6.5 

12 

7.5 

2.8 

2.8 

7.4 

5.7 

0 Potassium (K) 4.4 .5 1.5 5.0 1.0 1.7 3.5 .8 1.8 

Bicarbonate (HC0 3) 118 16 71 155 20 59 114 21 66 

Carbonate (Cd3) 1 15 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 

Sulfate (S0 4 ) 23 8.2 15 33 15 22 26 12 19 

Chloride (Cl) 24 1.4 8.0 24 3.0 8.3 20 1.6 8.2 

Fluoride (F) 1.1 .0 .1 1.0 .0 .2 .3 .0 .1 

Nitrate (N0 3 ) 

_O;:-thg_ph_ sp!l_~i~~ (pj) ~_) -- 11 . 81 

1.3 

• 00 

3.9 

• 20 

22 

5. 4 

.5 

• 00 

3.6 

• 29 

11 

• 85 

.8 

• 00 

4.1 

.16 

Dissolved solids 128 70 107 192 82 114 139 65 110 

Hardness as CaC0 3 99 28 72 159 40 68 102 32 73 

Noncarbonate hardness as CaCOs 31 0 14 35 5 20 39 4 19 

Specific conductagce - micromhos at 25 C 245 78 176 327 103 174 235 96 180 

pH - units 9.0 6.4 -- 8.8 6.4 -- 8.6 6.0 -

Color - Pt-Co units 30 0 5 60 0 7 32 0 5 

MBAS (detergents) .OS .Of -- .16 .00 -- .06 .01 

Dissolved oxygen 14.6 5.6 -- 14.4 5.5 -- 15.6 5.2 

Biochemical-oxygen <!_~!1!~1!_4__ _ ___ 5.9 .S -- 8.3 .8 -- 7.2 .3 

Coliform bacteria - <:c::l_l_q~i-~t~. __ .... , 

per 100 ml 2000 60 -- 6000 12 -- 4300 66 

1

N

1..
I 

w

Table 3.--Maximum, minimum and mean observations of ma'jor water-quality parameters at selected 

sampling sites in the Raritan River basin, 1959-72. Analyses in milligrams per liter 

except as noted--Continued. 

North Branch 

Raritan River near 

Far Hills 

North Branch 

Raritan River near 

Raritan 

Raritan River 

at Manville 

Maximum Minimum Mean Maximum Minimum Mean Maximum Minimum Mean 

Number of samples 

Silica (Si02) 

Iron (Fe) j.Jg/1 

Manganese (Mn) ).Jg/1 

73 

16 

llOO 

290 

6.7 

50 

0 

12 

334 

75 

75 

16 

960 

150 

5.1 

28 

0 

10 

251 

57 

34 

13 

790 

280 

4.0 

20 

0 

8.2 

250 

63 

Calcium (Ca) 

Magnesium (Mg) 

Sodium (Na) 

Potassium (K) 

16 

12 

9.0 

3.0 

4.6 

1.7 

4.4 

. 2 

13 

4.9 

6.0 

1.4 

26 

11 

16 

3.0 

6.8 

2.9 

3. 3 

. 2 

18 

6.8 

ll 

1.7 

94 

14 

50 

5.0 

10 

3. 4 

4.5 

. 0 

35 

9.3 

15 

1.8 

Bicarbonate (HCO 3) 

Carbonate (co 3) 

Sulfate ( s 0 4) 

Chloride (Cl) 

Fluoride (F) 

Nitrate (NO 3) 

or tnopho-s ph a_~-~- {P_(f~) 

88 

6 

25 

14 

1.2 

11 

• 7 2 

22 

0 

13 

4.6 

. 0 

• 7 

.00 

44 

0 

19 

8.3 

• 2 

3.3 

.20 

108 

0 

47 

21 

1.0 

8. 7 

.80 

13 

0 

18 

5.0 

. 0 

. 5 

.00 

64 

0 

29 

12 

• 3 

3.8 

.31 

115 

0 

244 

24 

. 4 

12 

.93 

18 

0 

22 

7.1 

• 0 

. 6 

.00 

65 

0 

66 

13 

. 2 

4.7 

.29 

Dissolved solids 

Hardness as CaC0 3 

Noncarbonate hardness as CaC0 3 

119 

90 

29 

67 

19 

0 

95 

54 

18 

169 

113 

43 

68 

29 

0 

128 

75 

22 

464 

333 

236 

90 

39 

20 

214 

ll2 

59 

Specific conductagce -

micromhos at 25 C 

pH - units 

Color - Pt-Co units 

MBAS (detergents) 

195 

9.8 

10 

.05 

113 

6.0 

0 

.oo 

147 

--

5 

--

289 

9. 2 

25 

.31 

96 

6.1 

1 

.01 

209 

--

7 

--

746 

9.1 

27 

.88 

130 

6.1 

1 

.01 

291 

Dissolved oxygen 

Biochemical-oxygen demand 

Coliform bacteria - c-olonies ____ 

14.2 

7.1 

5.6 

. 7 

--

-- 16.4 

7.4 

6.0 

1.0 

-------·-- ----·--

per 100 ml 5000 20 -- 27000 170 

0 

I 
I 

w 

t-' 

I 

Table 3.--Maximum, minimum and mean observations of major water-guality parameters at selected 

sampling sites in the Rdritan River basin, 1959-72. Analyses in milligrams per liter 

except as noted--Continued. 

Raritan River Stony Brook Millstone River 

near Manville at Princeton at Blackwells Mills 

Maximum Minimum Mean Maximum Minimum Mean Maximum Minimum Mean 

Number of samples 

Silica (Si02) 

Iron (Fe) ].lg/1 

Manganese (Mn) ].lg/1 

77 

14 3.4 

530 10 

180 0 

9.0 

148 

54 

85 

21 

4800 

140 

0.9 

42 

0 

9.0 

348 

42 

43 

12 3.5 7.9 

1400 35 452 

470 44 184 

Calcium (Ca) 30 10 21 25 6.5 16 21 5.6 16 

Magnesium (Mg).. 

Sodium (Na) 

9.2 

14 

5.1 

7.7 

7.2 

11 

11 

24 

2.6 

4.0 

7.4 

12 

8.3 

34 

3.9 

4.8 

6.8 

16 

Potassium (K) 3.6 1.7 2.5 4.3 1.2 2.4 5.8 1.7 3.5 

Bicarbonate (HC03) 

Carbonate ( C03) 

87 

10 

15 

0 

57 

0 

105 

5 

6 

0 

47 

0 

58 

0 

3 

0 

25 

0 

Sulfate (SO,.) 

Chloride (Cl) 

51 

36 

23 

10 

37 

15 

54 

34 

20 

4.0 

37 

16 

67 

54 

24 

8.0 

45 

22 

Fluoride (F) • 2 • 0 .1 • 7 • 0 . 2 • 5 .0 . 2 

Nitrate (NO 3) 11 • 2 5.6 10 .o 3.3 23 3.1 9. 7 

_ _9ii:?~p"haspil-a_~-e--(!>_04Y _____ .68 .oo • 27 .98 .00 .15 5.4 .39 1.7 

Dissolved solids 176 107 144 181 76 132 231 82 153 

Hardness as CaC03 113 49 83 108 27 72 90 30 70 

Noncarbonate hardness as CaC03 54 13 36 59 9 33 76 29 49 

Specific conductagce - 306 175 235 336 92 219 404 120 240 

micromhos at 25 C 

pH - units 8.7 6.0 -- 9. 2 5.9 -- 9.0 5.3 

Color - Pt-Co units 15 0 5 35 0 7 22 1 8 

MBAS (detergents) .05 - • 01 -- .07 .00 -·- .55 .01 

Dissolved oxygen 14.8 6.2 -- 15.0 3.9 

Biochemical-oxygen 4~~~~-----

Coliform bacteria - _co_lani.e_s__ ___ 

7.4 

13300 

. 4 

6 --

-- 7.6 

2700 

.2 

52 

per 100 ml 
I 

w

Table 3.--Maximum, minimum and mean observations of major water-guality parameters at selected 

sampling sites in the Raritan River basin, 1959-72. Analyses in milligrams per liter 

except as noted--Continued. 

Raritan River Raritan River 

Millstone River at Queens Bridge at South Bound near Manville at Bound Brook Brook 

Maximum Minimum Mean Maximum Minimum Mean Maximum Minimum Mean 

Number of samples 78 45 27 

Silica (Si02) 14 3. 6 9.1 13 3. 2 7. 8 12 4.9 7. 8 

Iron (Fe) ~g/1 1300 50 357 1100 51 490 2200 40 395 

Manganese (Mn) ~g/1 370 5 137 900 40 285 660 67 252 

Calcium (Ca) 27 10 17 126 11 33 70 5.8 30 

Magnesium (Mg) 11 4.4 6.7 31 4.7 10 18. 5.0 8.8 

Sodium (Na) 24 6.8 13 273 7.8 59 145 11 49 

Potassium (K) 5.6 2.2 3.5 20 1.4 5.7 8.8 1.2 4.1 

Bicarbonate (HC03) 108 8 34 140 3 28 40 2 21 

Carbonate (co 3) 0 0 0 30 0 1 0 0 0 

Sulfate (SO,.) 57 32 41 583 34 130 325 34 112 

Chloride (Cl) 39 10 20 285 10 62 160 15 55 

Fluoride (F) • 6 .o • 3 • 4 . 0 . 2 1.1 .1 . 3 

Nitrate (N03) 

_]it ~·QJ, h,c)_~!ijii_e = U' 2_ .. _ ... _ 

24 

2.7 

2.4 

.08 

10 

.97 

44 

2.3 

• 4 

.oo 

14 

.64 

45 

1.7 

3.8 

.28 

23 

.81 

Dissolved solids 190 85 145 1520 107 378 808 144 327 

Hardness as CaC03 113 43 71 442 47 125 249 62 116 

Noncarbonate hardness as CaC03 64 24 43 327 37 102 247 30 98 

Specific conductagce -

micromh~s at 25 C 320 149 234 2450 159 562 1250 212 499 

pH - units 8.3 5.8 -- 9.2 5.1 -- 7. 9 4.9 

Color - Pt-Co units 15 1 6 100 1 25 90 4 25 

MBAS (detergents) .02 .01 -- 1.0 .01 

Dissolved oxygen 13.4 3.6 -- 13.4 5.0 -- 13.8 2.8 

Biochemical-oxygen demand 7.8 1.3 -- 8.0 3.5 -- 7.8 . 3 

Coliform bacteria - -;;oTo_n{is~~ 

per 100 ml 40000 25 -- 100000 1100 -- 57000 38 

N 

I 
I 

(.,..) 

(.,..) 

I 

Table 3.--Maximum, minimum and mean observations of major water-guality parameters at selected 

sampling sites in the Raritan RivE~r basin, 1959-72. Analyses in milligrams per liter 

except as noted--Continued. 

South River at 

Old Bridge 

Maximum Minimum Mean 

Number of samples 33 

Silica ( S iO 2) 9.6 2.8 6.0 

Iron (Fe) )lg/1 2400 60 596 

Manganese (Mn) ]lg/1 240 10 148 

Calcium (Ca) 

Magnesium (Mg) 

14 

3.9 

5.8 

1.0 

8.7 

3.0 

Sodium (Na) 8.5 3.3 5.2 

Potassium (K) 12 2.0 3.3 

Bicarbonate (HC03) 4 0 1 

Carbonate (co 3) 0 0 0 

Sulfate (S04) 56 23 36 

Chloride ( c 1) 20 6.5 10 

Fluoride (F) . 3 . 0 .1 

Nitrate (NO 3) 9.3 1.3 3.6 

Orthophosphate (P04) .24 .00 

Dissolved solids 118 66 81 

Hardness as CaC0 3 43 21 35 

Noncarbonate hardness as CaC0 3 42 21 34 

Specific conductance -

micromhos at 25°C 205 101 141 

pH - units 7.4 4.0 

Color - Pt-Co units 8 0 4 

MBAS (detergents) . 02 .01 

Dissolved oxygen 9.5 6.8 

Biochemical-oxygen demand 1.9 1.0 

Coliform bacteria -c-olonies--

per 100 ml 680 250 
Table 4. --Chemical analyses of sele.cted surface waters in the Raritan River 

basin, 1923-25. 

[N, trace. Data after Collins and Howard (1927)] 

DIS- DIS- DISDIS_: SOLVED SOLVED SOLVED 

OIS- DIS- SOLVED 'lAG- DIS- SOOIUM POSOLVED TOTAL SOLVED CAL- NE- SOLVED PLUS TASDIS- 5 ILICA IRON IRON CIUM SlUM SODIUM POT AS- S!UM 

(I( I CHARGE (SJO;>) CFE> <FE> !CAl (MG) (NA) SlUM (MG/U DATE CCFS I (MG/U CUG/U WG/L I (MG/LI (MG/Ll (MG/Ll (MG/Ll 

01396500 - <; AI> RARITAN R NR HIGH AR IDGE NJ CLAT 40 40 40 LONG 074 52 451 

AU11., 1'12:> 

29 ••• 31 14 280 30 16 4.8 8.8 

OCT., 1924 

16 ••• 47 13 60 14 7.3 5,8 

"'AR., 1925 4,4 21 ••• 227 4,3 ISO 30 

01397000 - s AR RARITAN R AT STA"lTON NJ (LAT 40 34 21 LONG 074 52 10) 

Aun., 1923 

29 ... 50 IS 320 80 16 s.1 8,4 

JULy, 1924 

16 ••• 106 8,0 130 30 15 6.0 5.2 

0CT. 

16 ••• 80 9,3 8() 15 6.9 6,3 

MAR., 1925 

24 ••• 422 15 180 40 11 4.0 7.1 

01398500 - N BR RARITAN R NR FAR HILLS NJ (LAT 40 42 30 LONG Q74 38 11> 

AUG. • 1923 

16 ••• 5.0 14 190 30 10 4.2 4,1 

FER., 1924 

05 ••• 134 14 20 8.2 3.0 5.4 1.0 

JULY 

1fl ••• 17 9. 7 100 20 14 7.9 4,2 

AUG. 

13 ••• 19 15 170 30 10 3.9 5,8 

DISDIS- SOLVED NONDIS- SOLVED _ll]jl_.,._ SOLIDS CARBICAR- CAR- SOLVED CHLO- _s,oLVED. CRESI- HARD- BONATE 

BONATE BONATE SULFATE RIDE NITRATE DUE AT NESS HARDCHC03) EC03) (S041 CCL> (N031 180 Cl CCA,MGI NESS 

DATE CMG/U (MG/U (MG/Ll CMG/LI (MG/Ll (MG/Ll (MG/Ll CMG/Ll 

01396500 - s BR RARITAN R NR HIGH BRIDGE NJ (LAT 40 40 40 LONG 0 74 52 451 

.. AUG,, 1923 

29 ••• 89 5.1 2.9 .9 94 60 

OCT •• 1924 

16 ••• 71 7. 7 3.0 • 7 89 65 

MAR,, 1925 

21 ••• 34 8,4 2.3 ,4 67 34 

I) 1397000 - s BR RARITAN R AT STANTON NJ CLAT 40 34 21 LONG 074 52 10) 

AUr;,, 1923 

29.,. 82 A,2 3,1 • 7 10 I 61 

JULY• 1924 

16 ... 68 ,o 11 2.9 • 7 90 62 

OCT, 

If\, •• 78 10 4,4 1.5 90 66 

MAR,, 192<; 

24,,. 40 16 3.0 1.2 ~0 44 II 

01398500 - N 8R RARITAN R NR FAR HILLS NJ CLAT 40 42 30 LONG 074 38 II> 

A.ur, •• 1923 

}I',,,. 46 R.O 3,9 '1.0 74 42 

FER., 1924 

os ••• 33 12 2.9 .6 6A 33 

JULY 

16 ••• 74 8,9 2.5 .5 90 67 

AUG. 

13 ••• 46 9,5 3.3 j,J 72 41 

-34-
Table 4.--Chemical analyses of selected surface waters in the Raritan 

River basin, 1923-25--Continued. 

[N, trace .. Data after Collins and Howard {1927)] 

DIS- OIS- DIS• 

DIS- SOLVED SOLVED SOLVED 

DIS- DIS- SOLVED MAG- DIS- SODIUM PO- SOLVED TOTAL SOLVED CAL- NE- SOLVED PLUS TASDIS- SILICA IRON IRON CIU"' SlUM SODIUM POT AS- SIUM 

CHARGE ISIO?I (ff) <FE I I CAl (MGI INA I SlUM (10 

DATE ICFSI IMG/U (UG/U (UG/LI IMG/LI (MG/LI IMG/LI IMG/U (MG/U 

01400000 - Ill BR RARITAN R IIIR RARITAN NJ ILAT 40 34 10 LONG 074 40 451 

AU<;., 1923 

29,,, 102 14 1400 100 18 5,6' 8,6 

FEI'l,, 1924 

os ••• 480 9,9 850 30 12 4.5 4.8 2.9 

APR, 

OR.,, 1290 11 430 30 9.0 5.3 3.3 

MAR,, 1925 

24 ••• 390 22 150 30 13 4,2 7.1 

01400500 - RARITAN R AT MANVILLE NJ ILAT 40 33 18 LONG 074 35 02) 

AUG,, 1923 

12 ••• 62 7 .o 330 30 18 6.8 9,5 

FE!'I,, 1924 

04, •• 610 12 so so 12 3.2 12 1.4 

OCT. 

14 ••• 158 8,o 130 17 6,7 9,3 

MAR,, 1925 

21 ••• 1600 14 360 110 19 3.1 2.8 

01401000 - STONY 8R AT PRINCETON NJ ILAT 40 19 59 LONG 074 40 56) 

oi\UG., 1925 

12 ••• s.s 210 130 15 4.2 11 

DISDIS- SOLVED NONBICAR- CARDISSOLVED 

SOLVED 

CHLO- .- DIS- sotrn, SOLIDS IRES I- HARDCARBONATE 

BONATE BONATE SULFATE RIDE NITR .ATE DUE AT NEss' HARD11-iCOJl IC03l (504) ICLl (N03l 180 Cl (CA,MGl NESS 

DATE IMG/Ll IMG/Ll IMG/Ll IMG/Ll IMG/U IMG/Ll IMG/Ll IMG/Ll 

01400000 - N BR RARITAN R NR RARITAN NJ ILAT 40 34 10 LONG 074 40 itS) 

AUG,, "'' 1923 

29 ••• 67 23 4.5 1.0 115 68 13 

FEB, 1924 

os ••• 27 30 3.5 3.6 86 48 26 

APR, 

o8 ••• 22 19 2.8 4.8 71 44 26 MAR,, 1925 

24 ••• 35 26 4,5 • 7 84 so 21 

01400500 - RARITAN R AT MANVILLE NJ ILAT 40 33 18 LONG 074 35 02) 

AUG,, 1923 

12 ••• 59 19 s.a .a lOS 73 15 

FEI3,, 1924 

04 ••• 44 27 3.0 2.1 88 43 

OCT, 

14 ••• 68 24 3,6 ,5 107 70 14 

MAR., 1925 

21 ••• 28 28 3,5 2.1 84 60 37 

01401000 - STONY RR AT PRINCETON NJ ILAT 40 19 59 LONG 074 40 56) 

AUG., 1925 

12... 48 22 a.a N.O 97 55 16 

-35-
I 

w 

Q'\ 

I 

Table 5.--Summary of observations of trace elements, 1963-71. 

Stream Anal- Alum- Bar- Bor- Chrom- Co- Cop- Iron Lead Lith- Man- Molyb- Nic- Rubid- Sil- Stron- Titan- Vanad- Zinc 

and yses ium ium on ium balt per (Fe) (Ph) ium ganese denum kel ium ver tium ium ium (Zn) 

Location (Al) (Ba) (B) (Cr) (Co) (Cu) (Li) (Mn) (Mo) (Ni) (Rb) (Ag) (Sr) (Ti) (V) 

5 B Raritan <s 19 18 35 1.0 90 2. 0 1.0 11 1.0 30 

R nr High 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Bridge 

Spruce Run <s 14 3J 40 1.0 510 4.0 0. 3 640 1.0 0. 6 60 

at Clinton 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

S B Raritan <s 1so 41 60 0. 5 o. 9 340 500 10 2.0 420 1.0 16 2.0 0.4 80 8.0 2.0 

R. at Stanton 6. 7 14 11 NO NO • 8 35 1.6 .3 9.0 ND ND 1.0 NO 8. 2 2.0 ND NO 

0 7 6 0 0 5 5 0 4 4 8 

N B Raritan <s so 29 50 18 !80 6.0 0. 7 110 1 0 12 0.2 63 3.0 1.0 

R. nr Far 20 16 20 2. 0 110 1.0 95 0.2 1.0 35 1.0 

Hills 0 0 

N B Raritan <s 600 52 120 0. 8 1.0 14 240 8.0 5. 0 72 1.0 4 7 3.0 0. 7 220 16 5.0 

R. nr 19 21 33 .4 ND 2.0 28 2.0 . 8 12 ND 1.0 .9 ND 36 • 6 ND ND 

Raritan 0 7 5 0 3 7 l 3 7 

Raritan R~ <s 510 100 570 320 23 200 7.0 27 95 14 16 5.0 0.3 1100 18 6.0 

(nr) Man- 27 26 2 7 1.0 ND 3. 0 20 2.0 2.0 26 . 6 3.0 .9 NO 100 2.0 ND ND 

ville 0 0 0 3 7 0 3 I 0 3 0 7 

Baldwin Cr <S 70 26 44 4.0 160 3.0 2. 0 450 7.0 2.0 95 2.0 

or Penn- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

ington 

Stony Brk. <S 900 79 90 4.0 28 4 70 7.0 5.0 140 3.0 7.0 7.0 320 19 6.0 

Princeton 15 25 29 .3 NO 2.0 42 • 7 4 13 ND 3. 0 1.0 NO 60 1.0 ND ND 

0 0 0 5 7 5 0 0 1 1 1 7 3 2 7 

Millstone R. <5 460 60 !20 2.0 0. 7 46 350 6.0 4.0 250 4.0 7.0 12 0. 6 160 14 3.0 

at Blackwells 21 38 24 .2 ND 5.0 35 2.0 . 7 44 ND 4.0 3.0 ND 25 . 6 ND ND 

Mills 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Millstone R. <5 230 45 110 5.0 13 450 5. 0 .5. 0 140 6.0 25 6.0 160 10 3.0 

nr Manville 17 41 51 3.0 55 2.0 2.0 70 1.0 3.0 .4 no 2.0 1.0 ND 

0 0 0 1 0 1 0 3 

Raritan R. at <S 70 so 110 8.0 ll 120 2.0 8.0 440 lO 13 13 310 1.0 3.0 

Bound Brook 23 49 70 2. 0 3.0 51 4.0 150 3.0 7.0 5.0 140 1.0 

0 0 0 l 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Raritan R. at <S 50 62 170 2.0 250 3.0 8.0 660 12 13 7.0 360 7.0 

S Bound Brook 40 31 46 55 3.0 67 2.0 5.0 7.0 110 3.0 

0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 

<S - less than sensitivity 

ND sought but not detected 
Table 6.--Sununary of phenolic-material content of~ samples collected at sampling sites in the 

Raritan River basin. 

Map Number Samples above lower limit of detection 

Stream and location no. 

{fig. '+) 

of 

samples 

Number Range 

(ug/1) 

Average 

(ug/1) 

Raritan River near Manville 10 27 15 2.5-22 8.0 

Raritan River below Calco Dam, at 

Bound Brook 21 11 11 5.0-340 101 

Raritan River at Bound Brook 22 30 26 6.0-184 42 

Raritan River near South Bound 

Brook 26 102 102 3. 0-312 58 

Honey Branch at Princeton 13 1 0 

Stony Brook·at Princeton 14 10 6 2.0-13 5.1 

Millstone River at Blackwells 

Mills 17 7 2 9.3-9.5 9.4 

Millstone River near Manville 20 6 2 5.0-20 12 

Green Brook at Bound Brook 25 20 14 2. 5-112 14 

Lawrence Brook at Farrington Dam 28 1 1 1.3 1.3 

South River at Old Bridge I 

31 5 2 2.0-3.5 2.8 

w 

"'-J 

I 
A review of the phenolic-material content of water at 45 streamsampling sites were reported recently (Faust and others, 1971). Of these 

sampling sites, 11 were in the Raritan River basin (table 6). Results 

indicate higher concentrations of phenols in the basin than were found in 

unpolluted streams in other parts of the State. 

Of the 43 samples collected from the Millstone River at Blackwells Mills (fig. 4, site 17) and near Manville (site 20), and on the 

Raritan River near Manville (site 10), 19 contained phenolic materials in 

excess of the lower limit of detection of 1.3 ug/1. The maximum concentration observed was 22 ug/1. 

As the Raritan River moves downstream from its confluence with 

the Millstone River near Manville, it passes through an urban, industrial 

complex, where substantial volumes of waste waters are discharged. At the 

Calco Dam station (site 21), phenols were detected in all 11 samples, with 

a maximum concentration of 340 ug/1. At the Bound Brook station (site 22), 

concentrations in 26 of 30 samples exceeded the lower limit of detection, 

with a maximum of 184 ug/1. The maximum phenol content of 102 samples 

collected about 1.6 mi (2.6 km) farther downstream near South Bound Brook 

(site 26) was 312 ug/1. 

Samples were collected also from several tributaries; Green Brook 

(site 25), South River (site 31), Lawrence Brook (site 28), Honey Branch 

(site 13), and Stony Brook (site 14). Concentrations of phenolic materials 

in 23 of the 37 samples collected on these tributary stations exceeded the 

lower limt of detection. 

Because of the consistently high phenol concentrations observed 

at South Bound Brook (site 26), 69 samples were collected at this site to 

determine the cross-channel distribution of phenolic material. The average 

concentrations were: right side (facing downstream), 57 ug/1; center, 

51 ug/1; and left, 66 ug/1. On the basis of individual samples, it would 

appear that some channeling effects are present, as samples collected from 

the right and left sides of the river generally yielded higher phenol contents 

than those collected at the center. 

The results of a 24-hr survey of samples collected at the center 

of the river on October 7-8, 1968 to determine variations in phenol content 

during a small storm are plotted in figure 12. Maximum concentrations occurred 

between 0845 and 1645. Streamflow variations during the sampling period also 

are plotted. An increase in phenol content is evident as flow increased 

between the hours of 1100 and 1400. Subsequently, the phenol content decreased, as flow continued to increase. 

Because phosphate is one of the nutrients that stimulates and 

supports excessive and undersirable growth of aquatic plants, it is receiving greater attention in most water-resources management programs. Also, 

at relatively high concentrations it is known to interface with coagulation 

processes in water-supply treatment (Stumm, 1964). 

-38-
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Figure 12.--Variations in phenolic-material content and streamflow 

during 24-hour surveillance, Raritan River at South Bound Brook. 

-39-
With the exception of observations at Old Bridge, data presented 

in table 3 indicate that artifical sources, and not weathering processes 

(Stumm, 1964; Hem, 1970), probably a~e the controlling factor in phosphate 

content at sampling sites in the basino Land use in the North Branch Raritan, 

South Branch Raritan, and upper Millstone River subbasins is mostly agricultural, hence the sources of phosphate, other than those of natural contamination, presumably are related to factors associated with agricultural and farmcommunity runoff. High concentrations found in the main stem Raritan and lower 

Millstone Rivers most probably are associated with the large amounts of municipal 

and industrial waste-water discharges in that areao 

Detergents (MBAS, table 3), usually associated with municipal 

waste-water effluents, have decreased in concentrations since 1966, probably 

owing to the advent of biodegradable compoundso 

A special pesticide sampling program was conducted in 1967-68o 

Water and bed-material samples were collected at six stream-sampling stations 

and at three sites in Carnegie Lake (figo 1). The results for samples 

analyzed for 10 chlorinated-hydrocarbon pesticides are summarized on table 7o 

The water-phase data indcicate the presence of DDT and its metabolities, 

DDD and DDE, and some dieldrin and lindane in the Stony Brook and Carnegie 

Lake samples. Concentrations were slightly higher in samples collected in 

the spring than those collected in the fall, perhaps indicating an input from 

agricultural usageo 

The bed-material data indicate only the presence of the DDT family. 

The concentration of DDT and related compounds in bed materials collected at 

the Carnegie Lake boathouse was greater in samples collected in the spring, 

although at other sites in the area the concentration was greater in samples 

collected in the fall. The reason for this is unclear, but may be related 

to sampling techniques or bed movemento It also may represent recent higher 

pesticide inputs from Stony Brook than from the Millstone Rivero The concentration of DDT and DDD in Carnegie Lake bed-material samples are 1000 

times greater than those observed in the water phaseo The high concentrations 

of DDD may result from the degradation of DDTo These data may indicate a 

situation where DDT entered the water medium at a time in the past, and was 

incorporated in the sediments as a persistent residue. There undoubtably 

has been a buildup over a period of time, but the lack of previous data 

precludes any quantitative conclusion. 

Stream sedimentation has been important to agricultural experts 

for many years. It is a significant factor to be considered in any investigation of soil-conservation practiceso More recently--perhaps within 

the last 10-20 years--the significance of a basic knowledge of stream 

sedimentation to public-water supply superintendents, engineers who design 

reservoirs or maintain navigable channels, fishery biologists, and waterpollution control officials has increased tremendously. 

Anderson and George (1966, po G38) estimated on the bas.is of 

stream sedimentation and turbidity data that annual sediment yields in the 

Raritan River basin ranges from 10 to 500 tons/mi2 (3-200 tons/km2). Although the data were scant, Anderson and George believed that their estimated 

values were at least in the correct order of magnitude. 

-40-
Table 7.--Pesticide analyses of waterand bed-material samoles 

collected in_the Raritan Riv·er basin. 

OI- H£1-'TAALDRir-.1 DDO ODE DDT ELORIN ENDRIN CHLOR LINDANE 2.4-0 2•4•5-T 

DATE !UG/U (UG/U <UG/U <UG/U <UG/Ll !UG/U <UG/Ll <UG/U CUG/Ll <UG/U 

01396500 - s 8R F<MITAN R NR HIGH BRIDGE NJ <LAT 40 40 40 LONG 074 52 45) 

ocr •• 1968 

24 ••• .oo .oo .ou .oo .oo .oo .oo .oo .oo .oo 

01397000 - SO tlR RARITAN R AT STANTON NJ (LAT 40 34 21 LONG 074 52 10) 

ocr •• 1968 

24 ••• .oo .oo .oo .oo .oo .oo .oo .oo .oo .oo 

01398500 - NO t::!R RARITAN R NR FAR HILLS NJ (LAT 40 42 30 LONG 074 3cs lll 

OCT. • l9n8 ~s ••• .oo .oo .oo .oo .oo .00 .oo .oo .oo .oo 

01400000 - NO 8R RARITAN R NR RARITAN NJ <LAT 40 34 10 LONG 074 40 45) 

OCT • • 1968 

25 ••• .oo .oo .oo .oo .oo .oo .oo .oo .oo .oo 

01401000 - STONY t:lR AT PRI"'CETON NJ <LAT 40 19 59 LONG 074 40 56) 

SEP., 1967 

15 ••• .oo .oo .oo .oo .oo .oo .oo <. 01 

MAY 1968 ' 20 ••• .oo • 01 • 0 l .OJ • 0 1 .oo .oo .01 

01401240 - Cll.RNEGI E LK AT 130ATHOUSE AT PRINCETON NJ (LAT 40 20 22 LONG 074 38 59) 

SEP., 1967 

15 ••• .oo .02 .oo .02 • 0 l .oo .oo <.01 

MAY . 1968 zo ••• .oo .04 .08 .25 .oo .oo .oo <.01 

0140i2b0 - CARNEGIE LK, f::JEL MILLSTO"'E AT PRINCETON NJ <LAT 40 20 48 LONG 074 37 42) 

SEP., 19n7 

15 ••• .oo .01 .oo .oo .03 .oo .oo <.01 

1..1AY . 1968 

20 ••• .oo .03 .os .01 .20 .oo .oo <.01 

014012'10 - CAR"JEGIE LK .25 M! At3 DAM AT PRINCETON NJ <LAT 40 21 58 LONG 074 37 30) 

s~:P., 19h7 1":> ••• .oo .01 .oo • 0 l .03 .oo .oo <.01 

MAY . 1968 20 ••• .oo .01 .02 • 0 1 .10 .oo .oo • u l 

01402000 - MILLSTONE RIVEf.! AT 8LACKWELLS MILLS• N.J. <LAT 40 28 30 LUNG 074 34 34) 

or:r •• 1968 25 ••• .oo .oo .oo .oo .oo .oo .oo .oo .oo .oo 

-41-
Table 7.--Pesticide ~~alyses of water and bed-material samples 

co1_lected_!:!L the Raritan River basin--Continued. 

01- HEPTAELDRIN ENDRIN CHLOR LINDANE ALDRIN DOD ODE DDT 

IN IN IN IN IN IN IN IN 

BOTTOM BOTTOM BOTTOM BOTTOM BOTTOM FlOTT OM BOTTOM BOTTOM 

DE- DE- DE- DE- SILVt:X OE- DE- DE- DEPOSITS POSITS POSITS POSITS POSITS POSITS POSITS POSITS <UG/KGl (UG/KGl (UG/KGl <UG/KGl (UG/KGl WG/KGl 

DATE IUG/Ll WG/KGl (UG/KGl 

NJ 45) (LAT 40 40 40 LONG 074 52 01396500 - S BR RARITAN R NR HIGH BRIDGE 

ocr •• 1968 .o .o .o .o .o .o .o 2·5 24··· .oo 

ILAT 40 34 21 LONG 074 52 10) 01397000 STANTON NJ - so BR RARITAN R AT 

OCT. • 1968 .o .o .o .o .o .o 24 ••• .oo .o .o 

NJ ll) (LAT 40 42 30 LONG o·14 38 01398500 - NO BR RARITAN R NR FAR HILLS 

ocr •• 1968 .o .o .o .o .o .o 25 ••• .oo .o .o 

45) RARITAN NJ (LAT 40 34 10 LONG 074 40 01400000 - NO BR RARITAN R NR 

ocr •• 1968 .o .o .o .o .o .o 25 •• 0 .oo .o .o 

(LAT 40 19 59 LONG 074 40 56) 01401000 - STONY t!R AT PRINCETON NJ 

SEP.t 1967 .o .o 2.0 20 .o .o 15 ••• .o 5.0 

MAY . 1968 .o .o .s 5.0 .o .o 20 ••• .o 2.0 

38 59) PRINCETON NJ ILAT 40 20 22 LONG 074 01401240 - CARNEGIE LK AT BOATHOUSE AT 

SEP.• 1967 45 .o .o .o <.l 15 ••• .o 115 J.o 

MAY . 1968 .o .o 15 75 .o .o 20 ••• .o 200 

PRINCETON NJ (LAT 40 20 48 LONG 074 37 421 Ol40l2oO - CARt-.~EGIE LK BEL MILLSTONE AT 

SEP.o 1967 .o 2.0 25 .o .o .o 1s ••• .o 110 

""AY ·• 1968 11 .o .o .o .o 

zo ••• .o 45 6.0 

AT PRINCETON NJ (LAT 40 21 58 LONG 074 37 30) 014012':10 - CARNEGIE LK .25 MI AB DAM 

SEP., 1967 15 .o .o .o .o 15 ••• .o 55 3.0 

MAY . 1968 .o 4.0 B.O .o .o .o 2o ••• .o 40 

N.J. ILAT 40 28 30 LONG 074 34 34) 01402000 - MlLLST011j£ RIVER AT ~LACK WELLS MILLS• 

ocr •• 1968 .o .o .o .o .o 25 ••• .oo .o .o .o 

-42-
Suspended-sediment samples were collected in the basin at nine 

gaging stations and five partial-record locations to estimate sediment 

yields and trendso The estimated annual suspended-sediment yields at these 

sampling sites is given in table 8. With the exception of yields for the 

Stony Brook at Princeton, these estimates were determined using a method 

described by Miller (1951). Yields for the Stony Brook are based on daily 

sediment-discharge records collected during 1956-70. 

Several environmental factors control soil erosion and the delivery 

of suspended sediment to the basin's streams. The more significant variables 

include physical characteristics of the soils, land, slope, land use or vegetal 

.cover, extent of precipitation and direct runoff, and capacity of the system 

to transport fine sediments. 

The role of some of these environmental factors is illustrated by 

means of transport curves (fig. 13). For example, in the New England section 

(fig. 11) of the basin--represented by the High Bridge, Stanton, and Far Hills 

station curves--erosion rates and, consequently, suspended-sediment concentrations 

in streams are com~aratively low. Poor surface-drainage characteristics combine 

with rather dense vegetal cover to produce comparatively low yields of sediment 

to local streams. Generally, in the Piedmont Lowland section--represented by 

the remaining curves--an abundance of silt- and clay-size sediments in the 

soils and less vegetal cover produce a higher sediment yield. Typical streams 

draining the Lowland often remain turbid for relatively long periods (3-6 days) 

after a storm. 

Annual average suspended-sediment yields in streams draining the 

New England Upland are estimated to range from 25 to 150 tons/mi2, (10-60 

tons/k~) while those draining the Piedmont Lowland are expected to range 

from 75 to 500 tons/mi2 (25-200 tons/km2). Based on data collected on 

Coastal Plain· tributaries to the Delaware estuary (Mansue, 1972) and in the Millstone River basin above Princeton (Moore and others, 1952), suspended-sediment 

yields from streams draining the Inner Coastal Plain are expected to range 

from 50 to 150 tons/mi2 (20-60 tons/k~). 

In addition to the determination of sediment concentration and load, 

several samples were analyzed for particle-size distribution. Samples were 

collected during period when direct runoff comprised most of the flow--usually 

at discharge rates equaled or e'xceeded 10 percent of the time--and when 

suspended-sediment concentrations were high. Because most of the sediment load 

is transported during storms, these samples closely represent the size 

distribution of the annual suspended-sediment load. 

The average particle-size distributions are illustrated on figure 14 

for selected sampling stations in the basin. The American Geophysical Union's 

classification of particle size is used (Lane and others, 1947). A tabulation 

of the average particle-size distribution in the suspended sediment samples 

is given in table 9 for basin sampling stations. 

-43-
Table 8.--Estimated average annual suspended-sediment yield at selected 

sampling stations in Raritan River basin. 

Stream and location Map no. 

(fig. 4) 

Drainage area 

(mi2) 

Sediment yield 

(tons/mi2) 

South Branch Raritan 

River near High 

Bridge 1 65.3 73 

South Branch Raritan 

River at Stanton 3 147 124 

North Branch Raritan 

River near 

Far Hills 6 26.2 25 

North Branch Raritan 

River near Raritan 8 190 151 

Raritan River at 

Manville 9 490 302 

Stony Brook at 

Glenmoore 17.6 169 

Honey Branch near 

Rosedale 4.02 139 

Stony Brook 

Tributary No .. 3 

near Hopewell 2.57 28.4 

Baldwin Creek at 

Pennington 1.92 405 

Woodsville Brook 

at Woodsville 1. 86 2 73 

Stony Brook at 

Princeton 14 44.5 198 

Millstone River at 

Blackwells Mills 

17 258 135 

Raritan River at 

Queens Bridge, 

at Bound Brook 21 799 200 

-44-
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SEDIMENT lOAD, IN TONS PER DAY 

figure 13.--Relation between SUSf)ended sediment load and streamflow at seven 

sampling locations. 

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~52-
Table 9.--Average particle-size distribution suspended 

selected sampling sites in the Raritan River basin, 

Stream and location Percentage of Soil Class 

Clay Silt Sand 

South Branch Raritan River near 

High Bridge 14 66 20 

South Branch Raritan River at 

Stanton 29 59 12 

North Branch Raritan River near 

Far Hills 72 28 0 

North Branch Raritan River near 

Raritan 48 49 3 

Raritan River at Manville 54 44 2 

Stony Brook at Princeton 50 45 5 

Millstone River at Blackwells 

Mills 60 39 1 

Raritan River at Queens Bridge, 

at Bound Brook 50 47 3 

-53-
Clay- and silt-size particles predominate (80-100 percent) in 

sediments transported by streams draining the New England Upland 

and Piedmont Lowland section of the basin.o The high clay fraction reported 

for the Far Hills sampling site reflects the trapping of larger sizes by a 

reservoir immediately upstream from this siteo Excluding data collected at 

Far Hills, one notes a lower percentage of clay-size particles at sampling 

sites in the New England Upland (14-48 percent) than observed at sites in the 

Piedmont Lowland (50-60 percent). Likewise, silt-size particles predominate 

-66 percent) in Upland streams and are higher in percentage than in streams 

draining the Lowland (39-47 percent). As noted earlier in discussions regarding 

time-of-travel measurements (po 17), velocities in headwater areas of the North 

and South Branch Raritan Rivers (Upland streams) were among the highest observed 

in the basin. These higher velocities and, therefore, the greater inherent 

capacity of these stream waters to transport larger and heavier particles in 

suspension are reflected in the relatively larger percentages of silt- and 

sand-size particles observed at stream-sampling sites in the New England Upland. 

While particle-size distributions in suspended sediments transported by Inner Coastal Plain streams were not determined during the project, 

a reasonable estimate can be made based on data collected on Coastal Plain 

tributaries to the Delaware estuary (Mansue, 1972) and in the upper Millstone 

River basin (Moore and others, 1952)o Clay-size particles (50-65 percent) 

are dominant, whereas silt sizes make up 10-40 percent and sand sizes 5-25 

Time Variations 

Variations in the dissolved-solids content of the Raritan and 

Millstone Rivers near Manville (figo 4, sites 10 and 20) between 1957 and 

1972 are plotted in figure 15o The 12-month moving average plots of dissolvedsolids content is based on once-monthly samples. When these curves are compared 

with similar plots of streamflow (fig. 6), an inverse relation between the two 

parameters is evidento Although definite upward trends are apparent, 

icularly on the plot for the Millstone River, these trends may be related 

to generally decreasing streamflow. Flow augmentation in the Raritan River 

since 1964 during low-flow periods, by release of relatively good quality 

water from Spruce Run Reservoir (table 3, Spruce Run at Clinton), probably 

accounts for the lesser upward trend in dissolved solids of the Raritan River 

in rela~ion to that of the Millstone Rivero 

Further comparison of trends in dissolved solids (fig. 15) with 

similar graphs of streamflow trends (figo 6) suggested a divergence in the 

with time; that is, the dissolved solids per unit volume of water are 

increasing with time. For example, the average streamflow of the Millstone 

River at Blackwells Mills (figo 4, .site 17) during calendar year 1960 was 

398 /so (llo3 m3/s), and the average dissolved-solids content in samples 

collected near Manville, 126 mg/1. However, in 1967 at a flow of 456 ft3/s, 

o9 m3/s), dissolved solids increased to 162 mg/1. One would expect that 

the flows during 1967 would have resulted in lower concentrations. 

Thus, it is postulated that dissolved solids were increasing per unit volume 

of water at these two sampl sites. 

-54-
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180 

160 

140 

120 

100 

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1957 

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.,..., } - --- 'I --

___, "!-- -I 

!', I 1 I 1 

I,, . r 

v "-..Millstone Rive. 

----,--

1973 

figure 15.--Trend analyses, based on twelve~-month moving averages, of dissolved-solids content, 

Raritan and Millstone Rivers near Manville. (Based on chemical analyses by the Elizabethtown 

ter Co. ). 

I 

V1 

\..il 

I 
This postulation was tested by linear-regression analysis 

(Steel and Terrie, 1960, po 161-193). Changes in the relation between 

qissolved solids (dependent variable) near Manville and log streamflow 

(independent variable) on the Raritan River at Manville and Millstone River 

at Blackwells Mills are illustrated in figure 16. These biannual regression 

analyses are based on once-monthly data collected during 1957-70 by the 

Elizabethtown Water Company. The curves can be used to describe time trends 

in dissolved solids, since the influence of streamflow variations caused by 

water diversions, flow augmentation, flood, or drought are cancelled in that 

the plots permit comparison at any selected flow condition. 

The curves indicate that dissolved solids of the Millstone River 

generally increased during the period, particularly at low streamflows. For 

example, at 100 ft3/s (2.83 m3/s) the Millstone River is estimated to have 

carried 159 mg/1 (43 tons/day) in 1957-58, 174 mg/1 (47 tons/day) in 1961-62, 

197 mg/1 (53 tons/day) in 1965-66, and 200 mg/1 (54 tons/day) in 1969-70. 

Note that here and in later comparisons of regression estimates, percentage 

increases for other flow rates may not be of the same magnitude. 

However, no significant trend in dissolved solids is apparent on 

the Raritan Rivero For example, at 100 ft3/s (2.83 m3/s) the dissolved solids 

of the Raritan River are estimated to be 228 mg/1 (62 tons/day) in 1957-58, 

211 mg/1 (57 tons/day) in 1961-62, 230 mg/1 (62 tons/day) in 1965-66, and 

211 mg/1 (57 tons/day) in 1969-70. The absence of a definite trend in 

dissolved-solid content at this sampling site may be attributed to flow 

augmentation from Spruce Run Reservoir during the latter time periods. 

A linear-regression analysis of quarterly groupings of once-monthly 

dissolved-solids and streamflow data of the Raritan and Millstone Rivers near 

Manville was made to indicate seasonal variations. A plot of the linearregression lines obtained from the quarterly analysis for 1957-70 is presented 

on figure 17. 

The inverse relation between dissolved solids and log streamflow 

noted between biannual groupings (fig. 16) also is evident on figure l7o 

Also note that the dissolved-solids content per unit of flow generally is 

lowest during April to June. Because much of the precipitation in this 

quarter runs off directly into the nearby stream channels, the lower dissolved 

solids reflect the greater influence of direct-overland runoffo Precipitation 

during other quarters replenishes losses in ground-water storageo The higher 

dissolved solids thereby reflect the greater influence of ground-water discharges to the streams; that is, ground-water inflows make up the greater 

percentage of flows in the river system during these quarters than during the 

second. 

As in the earlier regression based on biannual data (fig. 16) a 

comparison of regression curves derived from quarterly data (not shown), col 

lected on the Millstone River during 1957-61 and 1966-70, indicates an increase 

in dissolved-solids content per unit of flowo The earlier regression also 

indicates that this increase was greater during the winter quarter (January to 

March) than during other quarters. It is estimated from the regression 

models that at a flow of 100 ft3/s (2.83 m3/s), dissolved solids 

-56-
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~ ~1957-58 0 1961-62 (/') 

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Raritan River 

10 4000 

WATER DISCHARGE AT MANVILLE. IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND 

fi ure 16.--Relation between water discharge and dissolved-solids concentration, ·-------

Raritan and Millstone Rivers. 

i 

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......... 1967-68 

..-tllllt:- 1957-56 

-.....1961-62 

~1959-60 

100 500 1000 

WATER DISCHARGE AT BLACI<WELLS MILLS, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND 

Figure 16.--Continued 

4000 

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200 

180 

160 

.-- -.-- l 

Raritan River 

10 100 1000 

WATER DISCHARGE AT MANVILLE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND 

Figure 17 .--Seasonal relation betwe4~n water discharge and dissolved-solids 

concentration. Raritan and Millstone Rivers near Manville. 

I 

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10 100 1000 

WATER DISCHARGE AT BLACKWELLS MILLS, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND 

figure 17.--Continued 

I 

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0 

I 
increased 43, 17, 12, and 29 percent in the first, second, third and fourth 

quarter~ respectively. 

However, comparison of similar curves derived from data (not 

collected on the Raritan River indicate that, except for the first quarter, 

there is a decrease in dissolved solids. An increase of 16 percent is estimated 

from the regression model during the first quarter for a flow of 100 ft3 

(2.83 m3/s)o Similarly, a decrease of 17 and 13 percent is estimated for the 

second and third quarters, respectively, at the same flow. No change is 

estimated for fourth quarter dissolved solids between the two periods. 

As low-flow augmentation from Spruce Run Reservoir generally is practiced 

from July to October, the reduction in dissolved-solids content per unit of 

flow during the second and third quarters can be attributed to dilution 

provided by reservoir releases. Note, without the water releases, an increase 

in dissolved solids, similar to that observed during the first quarter, 

be expected for other time periods. 

Trend analyses of the dissolved-oxygen content of the Raritan and 

Millstone Rivers near Manville are shown in figure 18. Oxygen content is 

expressed as a percentage of saturation to nullify the effects of water 

temperatureo Almost identical curves are developed if variations in oxygen 

content are expressed in concentration units. These data are somewhat biased 

in that they represent daytime conditions. However, it is apparent from 

these curves that prior to the late 1960's the streams were undersaturated, 

on the average, at these sampling sites during most of the time period 

illustratedo Thus, the rate of oxygen consumption through biochemical decomposition of organic matter exceeded the rate at which oxygen was 

in the upstream hydrologic system through such processes as reaeration and 

photosynthesis. Note also cnat cne oxygen levels exceed 100 percent 

saturation during 1970-71; that is, a supersaturated condition exists. 

Does this trend reflect an improving stream-quality condition 

at these two sampling sites or are the increases related to: (1) flow 

augmentation in the Raritan River (note that the oxygen trend has improved 

consistently subsequent to the commencement of low-flow augmentation in 

1964), or (2) increased reaeration resulting from generally higher streamflow rates (fig. 6), and thus increased turbulence, during the latter time 

period? These questions were tested by linear-regression analyses. 

Regression analyses of biannually grouped data on the concentration 

of dissolved oxygen are shown in figure 19. There seems to be little or no 

significant decrease or increase with time in oxygen concentration for flow 

rates above 100 ft3/s (2.83 m3/s). There is, however, a tendency for the 

oxygen content to increase with increases in flow" Increased turbulence at 

higher discharge rates may produce an increase in the dissolved-oxygen content 

(Churchill and others, 1962). While a definite trend with time is not 

at the Millstone sampling site, even at low flows, there seems to be an 

improvement with time in oxygen levels at low flows on the Raritan River 

For example, prior to 1963 the oxygen concentrations at a flow of 50 ft3Js 

(1.42 m3/s) was 6.6 mg/1 or less. Subsequent to 1963, the oxygen content was 

greater than 6.6 mg/1 for the same flow rate. This improvement also may 

reflect the generally better quality water and dilution of nonconcservative 

pollution loads afforded by flow augmentation from Spruce Run Reservoir* 

-61-
0\ 

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0 1957 1960 1965 1970 1973 

figure 18.--Trend analyses, based on 12 month averages, of dissolved-oxygen concentration, 

Raritan and Millstone Rivers near Manville. (Based on chemical analyses by the Elizabethtown 

Water Co.) 
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10 50 100 500 1000 

WATER DISCHARGE AT MANVILLE , IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND 

figure19.--Relation between watEu discharge and DO concentration, 

Raritan and Millstone Rivers near Manville. 
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10 50 100 500 1000 

WATER DISCHARGE AT BLACKWELL$ MILLS , IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND 

figure 19.--Continued 

I 

0\ 

.pI 
Seasonal variations in dissolved-oxygen content by calendar quarters 

are presented in figure 20. Lowest concentrations at both sampling stations 

were observed during the second and third quarters (April to September), whereas 

the highest values were observed in the first (January to March) and fourth 

(October to December) quarters. This is in accord with expectations, as warmer 

ambient temperatures during April through September bring lower dissolved-oxygen 

levels through lower solubilities and higher utilization of oxygen in the 

biological decomposition of organic materials in the hydrologic system. 

Several additional observations can be made regarding the curves 

illustrated in figure 20. Regression slopes (b) for the first and third 

are gentle and, with the exception of the third quarter on the Raritan River, 

negativeo As water temperatures during the first quarter are at or near freez 

o;cygen levels are expected to be high and relatively constanto The slight decrease in oxygen with increases in flow may reflect the oxygen demand exerted 

by the flushing of accumulated detritus from the banks and nearby land surfaces 

by snowmelt and early spring storms. This oxygen demand, while potentially 

high, is underutilized as biological activity is hindered by the extreme low 

water temperatureso 

Similarly, water temperatures during the third quarter generally 

are the highest observed and relatively stableo Consequently, oxygen 

solubilities are lowero Increased biological activity in the decomposition 

of organic materials at these higher temperatures, produc a deman.d upon 

the river's oxygen resources, also are reflected in the low oxygen levels 

observed during this quarter. 

Slopes during the second and fourth quarters are steep and 

positive. This is to be expected and reflects both the base 

flow rates and resultant reaeration due to increased turbulence 

quarters and the rapid change in oxygen solubilities brought about by wide 

t emperature variations. Also, low flow rates during these quarters are 

concurrent, in general, with high water temperatures., 

The question arises, why are oxygen levels relatively unrelated 

to variations in streamflow during the winter and summer quarters? The answer 

is relatively simple with regard to the winter. As oxygen values are at or 

near their highest levels_owing to freezing or near freezing temperatures and 

biological activity is extremely low, increased reaeration due to turbulence 

at high flows is negligible. 

The explanation for the summer quarter is more complex. The 

time laps between storms is often longer than during other quarters, thus, 

allowing detritus to accumulate along the banks and nearby land surface. 

Runoff during storms flushes this detritus into the streams, and any degradable matter increases demand upon the stream's oxygen resources. This 

demand offsets any increase in oxygen due to turbulent reaeration. The 

slightly negative s on the Millstone River may also reflect the 

higher photosynethic rates, or production of oxygen by aquatic 

periods of base flowo The sl positive slope observed in the relation 

-65-
14 l 

- .......... Jan.-Mar. 

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3 

10 50 100 500 1000 

WATER DISCHARGE AT MANVILLE, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND 

figure 20.--Seasonal relation betw•,~en water discharge and DO concenrrar•on, 

Raritan and Millstone Rivers near J~anville. 

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10 50 100 500 1000 

WATER DISCHARGE AT BLACIKWELLS MILLS, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND 

figure 20.--Continued 

I 

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'-1 

I 
between oxygen and flow on the Raritan River during the third quarter 

be ascribed to the generally better quality water and dilution provided 

flow augmentation. However, a comparison of slopes obtained in the regression 

of data collected during 1957-61 (b = 3.50) and 1966-70 (b = 0 02) 

that this may be an inaccurate conclusiono 

An observation was made in the analysis of biannually grouped 

data (fig. 19) that, while little or no significant variation in dissolvedoxygen content is apparent on the Millstone River, there seems to be an 

improvement with time on the Raritan River, particularly at low flows. Does 

this observation hold for all seasons? Comparison of regression estimates 

at 100 ft3/s (2.83 m3/s), based on data collected during 1957-61 and 1966-70 

on the Millstone River indicate a decrease in oxygen levels during the first 

and fourth quarter of 18 and 13 percent, respectively, an increase of 5 

percent during the second quarter, and little or no variation during the 

third quartero Does this suggest an increase in discharges of oxygendemanding materials during October to March? The authors are unable to 

explain this phenomenon. A similar comparison of data collected on the 

Raritan River indicates an increase in oxygen levels during the second and 

third quarters of 29 and 41 percent, respectively, a decrease of 12 percent 

in the first quarter, and little or no change in the last calendar quarter. 

The improvement in quality during April to September and possibly also dur 

the last calendar quarter (note a 13 percent decrease during this period 

on the Millstone River) is perhaps another indication of the benefits 

derived by flow augmentation in this river system. 

It can be interpreted from the curves presented on figures 

18-20 that the capacity of the Raritan and Millstone Rivers to receive, 

transport, and assimilate decomposable materials and still maintain an 

oxygen level meeting the State's standard (New Jersey Department of 

Environmental Protection, 1971)-- that is a daily average of not less than 

5o0 mg/1 of dissolved oxygen and not less than 4.0 mg/1 at any time--has 

not been exceeded at these two sampling sites and in the immediate upstream 

reaches. This statement becomes valid only if the data are considered 

broadly. There are periods of a week or more, particularly during the 

critical summer quarter, when hourly observations at these two sites show 

that the capacity of both rivers to maintain a dissolved-oxygen level in 

excess of 4o0 mg/1 is exceeded. For example, hourly values below 4.0 mg/1 

were recorded on 28 of the 61 days in which oxygen levels were recorded on 

the Millstone River from July to September, 1970. 

A review of dissolved-oxygen data collected during this 

investigation (table 3) and the State Division of Water Resources at 

sampling sites above Manville suggests that the river system's capacity to 

maintain 4.0 mg/1 or more at most sampling sites is not exceeded as yet. 

However, some local streams below municipal waste-water treatment plants 

are observed to have low oxygen levels, particularly during summer months. 

As an example, in a survey of the North Branch Raritan River (Philadelphia 

Acad. Nato Sci., 1968) gross changes in the normal flora and fauna and, in 

-68-
some cases, prolonged low oxygen levels were observed on four tributaries; 

Lamington (Black) River near Ironia, Mine Brook near Bernardsville, India Brook 

near Mendham, and South Branch Rockaway Creek near Whitehorse Station. Also, 

based on once or twice-monthly sampling during 1968-70 at six sampling sites 

on the Millstone River below Carnegie Lake in Princeton, the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency (written commun., 1971) observed dissolved-oxygen levels 

below 4o0 mg/1 on several occasions, particularly during late summer and 

early fall. Roughly 30 percent of the samples collected at each site were 

below 4o0 mg/lo The only exception was at the site immediately below 

Lake, where oxygen levels were above this value in all samples, probably reflecting reaeration of the water as it drops over the dam. 

The above analyses (figs. 18-20) of oxygen data at the two Manville 

sites suggest that oxygen levels varied slightly or increasedo However, does 

this indicate a healthy river? The upward trend and supersaturated levels 

shown on both streams by the moving-average technique (figo 18) suggest that 

an enriched nutrient condition exists and that increased photosynthetic processes 

are producing a pseudoimprovement. Future increases in the present nutrient 

laods above Manville (note nitrate and phosphate levels on table 3) through 

improper management of waste-water discharges may produce a detrimental demand 

on the oxygen resources of these two streams. 

Additional evidence of photosynthetic activity can be noted on 

figure 21. Illustrated are the diurnal variations in dissolved-~oxygen and 

values recorded hourly at Manville and South Bound Brook (fig. 4, sites 10, 

20, and 26). During daylight hours, photosynthetic activity results in a ne 

production of oxygen, often increasing the dissolved oxygen content above 

saturation values. Concurrent with the oxygen increase, the value also 

increases reflecting the intake of carbon dioxide in the metabolic processes 

of the photosynthetic plants. During non-daylight hours, respiration processes 

result in a net utilization of oxygen and a concurrent decrease in pH. 

These diurnal variations in pH and dissolved oxygen are demonstrated 

quite well at the three sampling sites. Data at the Millstone sampling site 

shows that these variations can be extreme. For example, the pH on June 11, 

1971 varied between 5. 7 and 11.5 and dissolved oxygen between 54 and 139 

of saturation. Variations in pH of the Raritan River at Manville are less 

severe and were, for the most part, in the alkaline range. At the South 

Bound Brook site, the pH varied from about 7.0 to 8.0 and dissolved oxygen from 

60 to 100 percent. These smaller variations may reflect the buffering of the 

river water by waste-water discharges below Manville. 

The time periods illustrated (fig. 21) are those of extreme dissolved 

oxygen variation, presumably during algae blooms. Similar diurnal patterns 

are noted during all seasons of the year, although the variations are 

less than 2 mg/1 of dissolved oxygen and 1. 5 pH units at these three sampl 

sites. 

-69-
1-

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Raritan River n f\ near So. Bound Brook 

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APRIL 1971 

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Millstone River 

near Manville 

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II 12 14 

JUNE 1971 

12 

II 

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IV) 

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5 -

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figure 21.--Hourly variations in DO concentration and pH at three sampling sites. 

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-71-
The stream quality of the Raritan River main stem below its con£ 

with the Millstone River is influenced greatly by and industrial 

water discharges (fig. 2) in excess of 125 mgd (5.48 m3 The 

higher than normal concentrations of major chemical constituents 

phenolic materials (table 7), trace elements (table , and 

(table 3) at sampling sites in this area of the basin was noted 

Rudolfs and Heukelekian (1942) in their studies of pollution in 

during 1940-41 reported that "the greatest density of ing lut 

in the river occurred between the Manville and Bound Brook sampling stations. 

To illustrate the increases in oxygen-demanding materials in the ManvilleBound Brook area, they plotted the average of 5-daybiochemical-oxygen demand 

(BOD) determinations of all samples collected at individual sampling stations 

for the period of their study, 1940-41. BOD is used as an indirect measure of 

the organic-matter content in water. Similar plots of data collected 

preceding studies (Rudolfs and others, 1929, Rudolfs, 1939) covering the 

1927-28 and 1937-38, also were included for comparative purposes by Rudolfs and 

Heukelekian (1942). These plots are reproduced on figure 22, together with 

average results of twice monthly data collected during 1969-70 by the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency (unpub. records). 

The earlier investigators recognized that amounts of oxygendemanding materials, as measured by the BOD test, were introduced into the 

hydrologic environment between Manville and Bound Brook. They also 

that there were increases in the amounts of these materials in the river system 

especially between 1937-38 and 1940-41. The increases in biochemical oxygendemanding materials were reported to have produced an increase in undersaturated 

conditions with respect to dissolved-oxygen levels between Manville and Bound 

Brook. Below Iscataway, dilution through tributary and ground-water inflow 

self purification processes and reduced waste-water sources resulted in a 

gradual decrease in BOD and an increase in oxygen level. However, concentra 

of these two parameters, which existed upstream of Manville, generally were not 

reached even in the tidal areas below New Brunswick. 

Comparison of data reported by Rudolfs and Heukelekian (1942, p. 856 

with recent data (1969-70) collected by the U.S. Environmental Protection 

indicate a continued input of oxygen-demanding material into the river between 

Manville and Bound Brook. Although BOD in this reach remained above that 

observed in 1927-28 and 1937-38, it is significantly lower than that observed 

in 1940-41. Note also that there is a slight increase in oxygen demand at 

sampling sites above Manville and that the demand in areas below Bound Brook 

while receding, never quite reach the upstream .concentration levels. Flows of 

the Raritan and Millstone Rivers were reported by earlier invest to 

average 1,176 ft31s (33.3 m31s) in 1927-28, 959 Is (27.2 m31s) in 1937-38, 

and 895 ft31s (25.3 m31s) in 1940-41. Records at the Bound Brook gaging station 

(fig. 4, site 21) indicate an average flow of 1,000 Is 8.3 m3/s) in 1969-70. 

-72-
0::: 

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1969-?0y\ 

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/ / 

/ ~ ..... -......._/ / 

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Perth Amboy 

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12 17 19.5 25.5 30 

DISTANCE, IN MilES 

figure 22.--Time comparison of the c1verage BOD and DO values during four stream 

survevs in the Raritan River basin. 
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·. 

-74-
Variations in dissolved-oxygen content as observed in 19 -70 

however, s different from those in the earler studies. 

levels are highest in the upstream area, that is above Manville 

were in the earlier periods illustrated (fig. 22). However, 

levels at the two upstream ing sites were from 10-20 

those reported in the earlier research. The 100 plus average observed 

at these two sites in 1969-70 is consistent with data collected the Elizabethtown Water Company at Manville (fig. 18). Below Manville oxygen levels reflect 

the input of oxygen -demanding materials and are undersaturated However, the 

recovery in oxygen levels noted during the earlier sampl periods in the river 

below New Brunswick are not evident during the 1969-70 sampl period. Levels 

recede fairly consistently throughout the reach between Manville and Perth Amboy. 

Data points plotted on figure 22 are those at sampling sites used by 

Rudolfs and Heukelekian (1942, p. 843). The U.S. Environmental Protection 

between 1968 and 1970 operated sampling stations at these and several additional 

sites in this reach of the river. Data collected at sites other than those 

on the dissolved-oxygen and biochemical-oxygen demand curves are not signif 

different from the extrapolated lines connecting data points. 

Cole (1968), in a study of water-quality trends in the Raritan River 

and Bay between 1950 and 1966 and based on data collected by the Middlesex 

Sewerage Authority, reported the following observations: 

"The geometric means of coliform MPN [most probable number] and 

arithmetic means of dissolved oxygen and biochemical-oxygen demand 

were compared for summer periods of years since 1950. The water 

quality at Manville as indicated by these parameters has significantly 

improved since 1950. However, the quality at Bound Brook and New 

Brunswick only improved immediately after operation of [a trunk 

sewer line by the] Middlesex County Sewerage Authority began in the 

spring of 1958 and has steadily decreased since 1960 and is approaching 

conditions previous to 1958. This trend is illustrated by changes 

adjacent to New Brunswick. The MPN of coliform per 100 ml was 5.7 

million in 1950, 380 in 1958, and 15,500 in 1966. The biochemicaloxygen demand was 23.0 mg/1 in 1950, 6.0 mg/1 in 1958, and 12.1 mg/1 

in 1966. Similarly, dissolved oxygen was 3 percent of saturation in 

1950, 80 percent in 1958, but only 38 percent in 1966." 

Thus, based on Cole's work and data presented on figure 22, it is 

evident that stream quality below Manville generally deteriorated during 1927-

58, particularly in the late 1930's and early 1940's. Construction and 

of a trunk sewer in 1958 carrying the wastes of 18 municipal and nine industrial 

contributors to the Authority's treatment plant in Sayreville effectively have 

reduced the pollution loadings in lower reaches of the river and bay. Hm,;ever, 

continued and increased discharges by nonusers of the Author 's treatment 

are reflected in a deterioration as indicated by data collected in 1966 , 

1968), in 1968-70 (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, written commun. 1971) 

and this investigatio~ 1968-72 le 3). 

-75-
DISCUSSION 

The Raritan River basin comprising 1,105 mi2 ,862 km2) 

New Jersey is the second largest within the State, exceeded only 

River basin (2,345 mi2 or 6,074 km2 in New Jersey). 

Some recreational and agricultural water uses are found in the 

above Manville (fig. 1). However, the river system is used mainly as a source 

of water supply for both public and industrial needs and as a medium for the 

disposal of municipal and industrial waste waters. In 1972, three of six water~ 

supply purveyors in the basin withdrew water from basin streams or the 

Delaware and Raritan Canal at or below Manville. These three purveyors diverted 

about 95 percent of the total 120 mgd (5.26 m3/s) diverted basinwide. S 

37 of 126 municipal and industrial waste-water treatment plants in 1972 used 

basin streams at or below Manville for disposal of treated effluents, dis 

about 80 percent of the total 150 mgd (6.57 m3/s) basinwide. Projected 

increases suggest a continued expansion in the demands upon the basin's water 

resources. To meet these present and future demands efficient and 

resource management is indicated. 

Precipitation in the basin is ample (Dunlap, 1966, p 

47 in (120 em) per year, or roughly 3-5 in (8-12 em) per month. Four 

trends (fig. 3) were noted in precipitation patterns during the 

(1955-72). Precipitation was slightly less than normal between 

1961; was extremely deficient during 1962-66; returned to slightly less than 

normal between late 1966 and 1971; and recovered to above normal after late 

Trends in streamflow are illustrated (fig. 6) for eight gaging stat 

on the Raritan River main stem and its three major systems, the 

Branch Raritan River, the North Branch Raritam River, and the Millstone River. 

In general, the highest 12-month average flow were observed in 1952, concurrent 

with the maximum annual precinitation during the study period, whereas the lowes 

were observed in 1965, concurrent with the minimum annual precipitation. A 

direct relation between precipitation and streamflow is evident. A general 

toward 'decreasing flows during 1955 to 1970 is attributed to the 

of less than normal precipitation. 

A generalized plot (fig. 10) of dissolved-solids concentration and 

streamflow, for five sampling sites on the main stem and three major tributaries, 

illustrates the inverse relation that exists. Inverse relations also were found 

to exist between streamflow and calcium, magnes sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, 

sulfate, chloride, and hardness. Suspended sediment and dissolved oxygen were 

observed to have direct relations, while iron, fluoride, and nitrate, showed 

little or no significant relation with flow. 

For water-quality evaluation, the Raritan River basin was divided 

into three general regions of similar water quality 11) on the basis of 

predominant chemical constituents and dissolved solids, as measured dur 

streamflow of over 50 sampling sites. Because, under natural conditions, the 

major part of low streamflow in gaining streams is caused ground-water 

the mapped water types normally reflect the chemical of 

-76-
A comparison of the chemical-quality map with physiographic boundaries indicates 

that in most areas of the basin chemical weathering in the geologic environment 

is the predominant factor influencing stream quality. However, man's activities 

along the main stem below Manville have altered the natural solute-solvent relation in this area. 

The predominant cations found in the basin's streams during low flow 

are calcium plus mangesium; usually exceeding 60 percent of the total cationso 

In two of the three regions, that is in streams draining the Piedmont Lowland 

and Inner Coastal Plain, the predominant anions are those associated with sal 

Sulfate is the major anionic component, with lesser amounts of chloride, nitrate 

anf fluorideo Bicarbonate is predominant in the remaining region, that is in 

streams draining the New England Upland. Dissolved solids throughout the basin 

during low flow generally range from 40 to 200 mg/1, but occasionally are 

in areas where man's activities have altered the chemistry of the stream waters 

The highest dissolved solids d~ring low flow generally are found in streams 

draining the Piedmont Lowland (75-200 mg/1) and the lowest in those draining 

the Inner Coastal Plain (40-75 mg/1). 

Average annual suspended-sediment yields of basin streams range from 

25 to 500 tons/mi2 (10-200 tons/km2). The highest yields are found in streams 

draining the Piedmont Lowland (75-500 tons/mi2 or 25-200 tons/km2) and the lowest 

in those draining the Inner Coastal Plain (50-150 tons/mi2 20-60 tons/k~). 

Streams draining the New England Upland part of the basin are estimated to transport 25-150 tons/mi2 (10-60 tons/km2) of suspended material annually. 

In general, the water quality of basin streams above Manville and in 

most tributary streams below Manville is good for most industrial, domestic, and 

recreational uses. Some areas of local pollution, as indicated by low dissolved 

oxygen and high biochemical-oxygen demand, nutirent levels, and coliform bacteria 

counts, have been reported. These areas are normally in the vicinity of municipal 

waste-water treatment plant discharge. A comparison of chemical analyses of 

water samples collected in the 1920's (table 4) with those collected during the 

study period (table 3) suggest that the concentration per unit of discharge of 

sulfate, chloride, and nitrate in the river system above Manville have increased 

significantly, reflecting increased waste-water discharge and nutrient levels 

in agricultrual runoff. 

Although an upward trend in dissolved solids with time is apparent 

from moving-average curves (fig. 15), particularly on the Millstone River, 

comparison of these curves with a similar plot of streamflow (fig. 6) indicates 

that the rising trend may be related to the concurrent decrease in discharge. 

Linear-regression analysis of dissolved solids and log streamflow was used to 

test the trend in dissolved solids per unit volume of water. If regressions of 

2-year groups of the data (fig. 16) are compared, dissolved-solids content in 

the Millstone River at Manville is shown to increase with time, particularly at 

low streamflow. For example, at 100 ft3/s (2.83 m3/s) the Millstone River is 

estimated to have transported 13 percent more dissolved solids in 1969-70 than 

in 1957-58. However, in a similar comparison of the Raritan River, no significant 

trend is apparent. 

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The absence of a trend in dissolved 

assumed to be due to flows 

better water from Reservoir to 

of data collected on Raritan River dur 1957-61 and 1966-70 

calendar , indicates an increase of 16 solids 

during January to March at a flow of 100 

crease of 17 and 13 percent is esimated for the second and third quarters} 

respectively, at the same flow. No change is estimated for October to De 

In the Millstone River an increase of 43, 17, 12, and 29 in dis 

solids was indicated in the first, second, third, and fourth calendar quarters, 

respectively. The reduction in dissolved-solids content per unit of flow 

the second and third quarters on the Raritan River can be attributed to the 

dilution provided by reservoir releases, particularlY in through October. 

Without the releases, an increase in dissolved solids, similar to that observed 

on the Millstone River, might be expected. 

Moving-average analyses of dissolved-oxygen data (fig. 18) collected 

on these two rivers at Manville indicate that prior to the late 1960's both 

streams were undersaturated. Thus, the rate of oxygen ion 

biochemical decomposition organic matter exceeded the rate at which oxygen 

was replenished in the hydrologic system through such processes as reaeration 

and photosynthesis. However, subsequent to the late 1960's oxygen content 

an average increased to supersaturated levels. The upward trend and supersaturated levels of dissolved oxygen shown on both streams during recent 

suggest that an enriched nutrient condition exists and that photosynthetic 

processes are producing a nseudoimprovement. 

The upward trends also may be related 

reaeration rates at generally higher streamflow rates . 6) in the 

subsequent to the late 1960's or to flow augmentation in the Raritan River. 

However, linear-regression models, based on biannually grouped data, of oxygen 

levels and streamflow (fig. 19), showed little or no significant time trend 

either river at flow rate above 100 ft3/s (2.83 mf3s). There seems to be an 

improvement with time in oxygen levels at low flows on the Raritan River. For 

example, prior to 1963 dissolved-oxygen content was less than 6.6 mg/1 at 

50 ft3/s (1.42 m3/s) and than 6.6 mg/1 to 1963. A 

of data collected during 1957-61 and 1966-70, based on a regression of 

grouped data, indicates an increase in oxygen content in the Raritan River 

April to September and possibly during the last while little or no 

variation was indicated for the Millstone River. This improvement, as was 

earler with respect to dissolved solids, may reflect the better 

water and dilution of nonconservative pollutants reservoir releases ups 

The Raritan River main stern below Manville flows through rather 

large urban and industrial complex. In addition, it is tidal below 

Municinal and industrial r..vaste-water discharges and urban runoff 

fluence the river's quality in this area. The concentrations of 

were generally higher than observed in other carts of the basin. 

the dissolved solids (tables 3 and 6) at Manville ranged from 90 to 464 rng 

phenolic materials from 2.5 to 22 ug/1, orthoposphate from 0.0 to 0.93 mg/ 

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coliform bacteria from 6 to 13,300 colonies per 100 ~1. At the head of tide 

near South Bound Brook dissolved solids ranged from 96 to 1,520 mg/1, 

materials from 3.0 to 312 ug/1, orthoposphates from 0.00 to 2.3 mg/1, and 

coliform bacteria from 1,100 to 100,000 colonies per 100 ml. 

A general deterioration in quality also is indicated by dissolvedoxygen and biochemical-oxygen demand data (fig. 22) between ~nville and Perth 

Amboy. The biochemical-oxygen demand in 1969-70 increased downstream from an 

average 5.6 mg/1 at Manville to 9.0 mg/1 at Fieldville dam, and thence decreased 

to 5.1 mg/1 at Perth Amboy. The dissolved-oxygen content receded from an average 

104 percent of saturation at Manville to 75 percent at Fieldville dam, and 51 

percent at Perth Amboy. 

Previous investigators (Rudolfs and Heukelekian, 1942, Cole, 19 

have reported (1) a general deterioration in quality on the main stem betwen 

Manville and Perth Amboy since the mid-1920's, particularly in the late 1930's 

and early 1940's, (2\) an improvement in 1958 upon the construction of a trunk 

sewer by the Middlesex County Sewerage Authority, and (3) a further decline 

during recent years due to increased waste-water discharges and urban runoff. 

Also presented in the report are the results of several time-oftravel measurements within the basin (table 2). These measurements allow 

the determination of reasonable estimates of the traveltime required for 

soluble contaminants to pass through particular parts of the river system 

during varying flow conditions. For example, during medium flow conditions 

the peak concentration of a contaminant introduced into the river system at 

Clinton on the South Branch Raritan River would be expected to travel the 

34 mi (55 km) to the head of tide at Fieldville dam near South Bound Brook in 

approximately 126 hr, while at high flow, traveltine would be reduced to about 

73 hr. Observed velocities during field measurements were variable and ranged 

from 1.62 ft/s (49 cm/s) on the main stem and the North Branch Raritan River 

to 0.063 ft/s (2 cm/s) through Carnegie Lake. A general decrease in veloc 

downstream was noted during each individual measurement, reflecting the lesser 

channel slopes, the broadening and deepening of the channel, and, in some 

reaches, the pending effect of small dams. 

-79-
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