The New York District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and local municipalities, continues work on the Green Brook Flood Risk Management Project ⎼ a major initiative in central New Jersey designed to reduce flood risk to13 communities by constructing a series of levees, floodwalls, flood gates/closures and pump stations for interior drainage areas along Bound Brook and Green Brook ⎼ each carrying run off from nearby mountainous terrain.
Flooding History
One community in the project area is the Borough of Middlesex, New Jersey, a densely populated suburban area with a history of flooding. Some major flood events include the remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021, Tropical Storm Floyd in 1999 and the devastating flood of 1973 that caused widespread damage throughout the region.
The source of flooding is Bound Book and Green Brook. Flooding has worsened over the years due to loss of wetlands that absorb floodwaters, increased paved surfaces (roads, sidewalks and parking lots) and construction of buildings. Both brooks empty into the Raritan River flowing 121 miles from Morris County to Raritan Bay.
ACTIVE CONSTRUCTION
During a recent site visit District employees provided a tour of projects under construction ⎼ two pump stations, several thousand feet of levees, ponding areas to collect storm water on protected side and two recently-completed flood gates. During flood conditions, these elements work as a system to keep flood waters out of homes and businesses. The project is designed to reduce flood risk in Borough of Middlesex from a 150-year flood (in any given year, a 1-in-150 chance of occurring.)
FLOOD-CONTROL SYSTEM
Here’s how the system works during flooding conditions:
▶ Flood Gates: Two 35-ton flood gates constructed over the Bound Brook close, providing continuous line of protection and preventing water from damaging homes and businesses.
▶ Drainage Areas: Three large drainage areas collect storm-water run-off and funnel it to pump stations.
▶ Pump Stations: Two pump stations collect the storm water and store it an underground well. When it reaches a certain level, it’s pumped through a pipeline and discharged back to the source: Bound Brook.
▶ Levee/Floodwall: A raised embankment of compacted earth and/or concrete wall parallel to Bound Brook holds back water preventing it from overflowing onto various structures in flood plain.
New York District Commander Col. Alexander Young stated: “The Borough of Middlesex has a long history of flooding. Our District’s team of professionals is implementing a quality engineering solution to mitigate flood risk.”
Project Delivery Team
New York’s Edward Wrocenski is project manager for Green Brook. He works with the Project Delivery Team ⎼ an interdisciplinary group of professionals handling planning and design, finances, legal and contracting ⎼ to effectively manage all aspects of the project.
The team is comprised of the following employees:
● Edward Wrocenski Project Manager
● Cheryl Alkemeyer Physical Scientist
● Roham Bakhtyar Civil Engineer
● Eddie Cai Hydraulic Engineer
● Dawn Finney Realty Specialist
● Michael Folcik Resident Engineer
● Paul Jalowski Resident Engineer
● Elena Manno Technical Manager
● Kailey McLaughlin Archaeologist
● Erin O’Donnell Civil Engineer
● Ruvini Perera Hydraulic Engineer
● Kimberly Rightler Biologist
● Russell Rivella General Engineer
● Joseph Rossano Civil Engineer / Admin. Contracting Officer
● William Shockney Realty Specialist
● Ellen Simon Assistant District Counsel
● Michael Stickle Hydraulic Engineer
● Miguel Valladares Construction Inspector
THE LARGER PICTURE
The work at Middlesex is one part of the expansive Green Brook Flood Risk Management Project that covers 68 square miles in central New Jersey. The Army Corps of Engineers has already constructed similar projects in the region that have performed as designed ⎼ keeping flood waters from damaging homes and businesses.