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Protect Natural Floodplain Functions

Floodplains are areas that periodically experience flooding from rivers, lakes, ponds, and oceans.  Floodplains perform many natural functions, including providing flood and erosion control, recharging our aquifers, improving surface water quality, and protecting ecologically sensitive areas. 

Floodplains are also used for recreational benefits in the community. They support a biologically diverse population and provide outdoor areas to educate residents about the importance of protecting this valuable natural resource. Manasquan is surrounded by many natural floodplains, such as the Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area, Deep Creek Salt Marsh, Judas Creek and Roberts Swamp Brook. These areas must be preserved and protected in order to ensure their viability and sustainability in the future.

Natural Flood Attenuation and Erosion Control

Due to the relatively flat topography in Manasquan, flood attenuation is an important function of the floodplain.  Coastal salt marshes provide sustainable flood mitigation and protection from coastal storms and sea level rise by protecting areas from erosion through buffering wave action and trapping sediments, as well as reducing flooding by slowing and absorbing rainwater runoff. This attenuation is particularly important for low lying areas that can experience frequent flooding during tidal events or even relatively small storms. Salt marshes and vegetated floodplains provide natural erosion protection and stability to the banks of channels, ponds and lakes.

Water Quality Improvements

The salt marshes and natural estuaries that surround Manasquan create conditions that help to remove contaminants and promote filtration of pollutants.   Stormwater can contain high levels of nutrients and other manmade impurities.  These floodplains protect water quality by filtering runoff, metabolizing excess nutrients and filtering other constituents before they reach the primary waterbody or conveyance system.

Protect Sensitive Areas

Manasquan’s floodplains support a large and diverse population of plants and animals.  They provide breeding and feeding grounds for waterfowl, preserve the habitat and nesting grounds of several threatened or endangered species, and allow for the growth and spread of a wide range of unique flora life only found in this unique type of area. Protection of both the upland and intertidal habitat is essential for healthy ecosystem, providing essential food, refuge, and habitat for avian species, as well as marine life including shrimp, snails, blue crab, eels, and many finfish. 

Community Benefits

The floodplains also provide residents with areas designed for active and passive recreation at locations throughout the Borough. Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area is an example of an area where you can enjoy activities such as bird watching, walking and biking along the trails, and kayaking as well as having a place to bring your dog to the beach .These educational and recreational programs reduce alteration of the natural functions of our floodplains and thereby lessen the effects of flood waters to buildings from storms and heavy rainfall.

No Dumping/No Discharge

Watercourses and storm sewers are necessary to prevent flooding to properties. To keep the drainage systems flowing freely, the dumping of any solid waste, garbage, trash, leaves, grass, debris, untreated sewage or industrial waste is prohibited in open channels and closed sewers and in their vicinities by Borough Ordinances. 

Because of the importance of floodplains and the many benefits they provide, Manasquan has enacted regulations to protect these areas, making it ILLEGAL to throw away or discharge anything into the rivers, canals, lakes, bays or any waters in Manasquan.

  • Borough Ordinance 22-62 prohibits the spilling, dumping, or disposal of materials other than stormwater to the municipal separate storm sewer system operated by the Borough of Manasquan, so as to protect public health, safety and welfare.
  • Borough Ordinance 21-2.1 prohibits the spilling, dumping, leaking or otherwise discharge of liquids, semi-liquids or solids from containers to the municipal separate storm sewer system operated by the Borough of Manasquan and/or the waters of the State.
  • Borough Ordinance 11-2.1 prohibits garbage, paper and other refuse from being thrown overboard from any boat while the boat is in the waters or waterways of the Borough, or into any waters or waterways under its jurisdiction.

If you witness dumping of any liquid or materials into storm drains or waters of the Manasquan, please immediately call the Manasquan Police Department at (732) 223-1000 or the NJ Department of Environmental Protection at (877) WARNDEP.

Manasquan protects its natural floodplain areas through approaches in development and implementation of the following: