FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Northern Monmouth Watershed Alliance, monmouthwaters@gmail.com
Date: November 21, 2025
Northern Monmouth Watershed Alliance Recaps “Know Your Stream Day” Event—A Watershed Moment for Stormwater & Drought Awareness
Northern Monmouth County, NJ- The newly formed Monmouth Watershed Alliance (NMWA) (www.monmouthwater.org) held its inaugural “Know Your Stream Day” on October 25, 2025, bringing together residents, municipal partners and watershed experts to take a closer look at the water systems that connect our communities from the hills to the shore. The event served as a timely reminder that the health of our streams and stormwater infrastructure is intimately linked to drought conditions, flood risk, ecosystem vitality and our collective responsibility to water.
Event Highlights & Evidence from the Field: (And quotes from the day!)
During the 1:00PM-4:00PM stream walk and observation session (with a special walk at the Keansburg floodgate site beginning earlier) participants visited multiple tributaries of the Waackaak/Mahoras and Flat Creek systems.
Among the key findings:
· Some streambeds exhibited very low base flows, demonstrating a signal of drought stress even in a region not traditionally considered dry.
· At the Keansburg floodgate demonstration, the role of coastal tidal connections, storm surge potential and floodgate infrastructure served as a vivid illustration that water does not simply leave our neighborhood—it flows through, around, beneath and out to larger bodies of water, and may also return inland under certain conditions.
Water is more than just what flows through our pipes or puddles on the pavement—it is the lifeblood of our communities, landscapes and future. The event reinforced several important themes:
Understanding where water comes from and where it goes
Every drop that falls in the Northern Monmouth County area runs off roofs, roads and yards, travels through ditches, streams, storm-drains, floodgates and eventually reaches larger rivers, bays and the ocean. When we pay attention to that journey, we gain the power to be its protectors.
Respecting water as a resource and an ecosystem partner
Drought stress in local streams means less habitat for fish and macroinvertebrates, reducing groundwater recharge and greater vulnerability when rain finally does arrive. Clogged drains, compacted soils, and impermeable surfaces push more water faster into our streams—raising flood and erosion risk.
Linking local action to regional resilience
The infrastructures we too often overlook—storm-drains, culverts, stream buffers, tidal floodgates—are the same systems that respond when drought, flood or fire strike. Through increased awareness and proactivity, each of us becomes a protector of water beyond our front yard.
Meeting regulatory, environmental and community goals together
The NMWA reminds municipal partners and residents that compliance with the Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer System (MS4) Permit—which mandates stormwater public education, system mapping, illicit discharge detection and other best practices—must be fulfilled by 2027. The Know Your Stream event is a concrete step toward fulfilling the public involvement and education requirements and further positions the watershed as a shared public asset.
“Know Your Stream Day gives our residents the chance to see firsthand the natural systems that quietly support our community every day. When people walk along their local stream, the begin to understand how critical these waterways are to reducing flooding, supporting wildlife and keeping our drinking water clean. We hope this event inspires families across Holmdel and the county to become long-term stewards of the places right in their own backyard,” said Karen Strickland, Holmdel Environmental Commission Chairperson
“Standing at the floodgate on Keansburg’s beach as the tide turned, participants had the rare opportunity to witness the opening and closing of the floodgate in real time—a vivid demonstration of how our coastal systems ‘breathe’ with the tide. The NJDEP team offered valuable insight, describing how the floodgate operates and the many factors that influence each decision to open or close it. The system’s operation is both precise and complex, requiring continuous monitoring of tidal conditions and expert coordination to protect nearby homes, streets, and marinas from bay waters. The experience served as a powerful reminder that water moves both ways—what leaves our streets for the bay can return under the right conditions. In Keansburg, stormwater management is more than a regulation; it’s a shared responsibility. We remain committed to working with the Northern Monmouth Watershed Alliance to maintain clear inlets and strengthen our community’s preparedness for future flooding, ensuring Keansburg’s long-term resilience,” said Kathy Burgess, Zoning Official, Floodplain Manager and Technical Assistant to the Construction Office (T.A.C.O) of the Keansburg Code Enforcement & Construction Office
“At Waterspirit, we believe that protecting sacred Earth begins with reconnecting to the waters that sustain us. Know Your Stream Day invites people to slow down, listen, and truly experience the living systems that flow through our towns. We’re proud to partner with the Northern Monmouth Watershed Alliance for this event that blends science, spirituality and community connection to foster a deeper sense of care for our shared environment,” said Rachel Dawn Davis, Public Policy & Justice Organizer for Waterspirit and Rutgers University Cooperative Extension Water Resources certified Green Infrastructure Champion
“The gift of growing up in Keansburg gave me incredible access to our local waterways. I spent countless hours exploring curiously about where the water would go, how it would end, and why. That early fascination shaped my appreciation for our natural environment. It’s deeply rewarding to now be part of an organization that helps others understand, appreciate, and ultimately protect these waterways,” said Charlene Kiley, Monmouth County Division of Planning.
Next Steps
The Northern Monmouth Watershed Alliance invites all residents, municipal staff, business owners and school groups to remain engaged. The data and observation from “Know Your Stream” will inform a broader watershed monitoring and education program. As we approach the MS4 compliance deadline in 2027, the initiative emphasizes the critical importance of not waiting until the next big storm, major drought or infrastructure failure to start caring for water.
About Northern Monmouth Watershed Alliance (NMWA) The Northern Monmouth Watershed Alliance is a collaborative initiative of municipalities in Monmouth County, New Jersey, focused on watershed conservation, education and stormwater management. Covering parts of Watershed Management areas (WMA) 12 and 9, the Alliance brings together towns from the Raritan/Sandy Hook Bay tributaries to the Navesink/Lower Shrewsbury River systems. For more information, to register for upcoming events or to download the stream observation—visit www.monmouthwater.org
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