Point Mountain TCA river restoration project

[Bucksnbows]

Well, it is habitat management of a sorts, so I'm putting this here.  If the weather and river flow continues to cooperate, we will be restoring a 1/3 mile section of the Musconetcong River (Musky) in the Point Mountain Trout Conservation Area from March 10 - 13 (14th is a "just in case" day) to improve aquatic habitat in the middle, very wide stretch that nearly all trout anglers avoid currently.  This is that river's most beloved stretch and for good reason, so I'm thrilled we will be restoring one stretch to greatly improve the fishing as well as aquatic organisms living in that stretch.  

 

Here are some current pictures taken in warm weather (can anyone remember warm weather?  Me either).  

 

Upper stretch where it begins to widen:

 

Middle stretch at widest point.  Note split channel which will be combined into one:

 

Lower reach just above the "S-bend":

 

Looking forward to getting this project done to benefit one of our more popular public waters.

 

 

[Kype]

Love point mountain. Haven't fished it in a couple years. Did they switch it over to full year trout conservation area? Also I watched a time lapse video one time of a river restoration project. Pretty cool how they place boulders in strategic areas to form new, deeper channels.

[BowhunterNJ]

Awesome, can't wait to see what you guys do to it!

[Rusty]

 

[Bucksnbows]

Love point mountain. Haven't fished it in a couple years. Did they switch it over to full year trout conservation area? Also I watched a time lapse video one time of a river restoration project. Pretty cool how they place boulders in strategic areas to form new, deeper channels.

 

Yes, we got that changed to year round about 4 years ago.  The timelapse video was likely our project at the Raritan Inn on the SBR we did a couple of summers ago.  Same firm.   

[Bucksnbows]

Our design:

 

[Haskell_Hunter]

I know that part of the river well. Just after that last sharp turn is a set of rapids (if you want to call them that) before the bridge. We usually take out there because it's easy to park our vehicles in the parking area just a ways past the bridge. Best part of the river to kayak, IMHO. There are a few sections north of that where it's really shallow. When the river goes below 200 cfs, you scrape bottom and have to walk in 4 inches of water and gravel until you can float again without scraping the bottom.

 

I love the work you're doing on that river to restore it. It's probably one of the best rivers in the state, and it supports a lot of activities.

Edited February 26, 2015 by Haskell_Hunter

[LittleM]

B&B - Does DLUR permit use of equipment in the channel (i.e. rubber-tired backhoe) or do they make you operate from the top of bank?  Or do they require all hand work?  Do they make you "sweep" for wildlife prior to any activity?

 

I think its a great thing your doing.  I only ask the questions because I have to deal with DLUR on a consistent basis and always wonder what other folks experiences are with them.

[Rusty]

B&B - Does DLUR permit use of equipment in the channel (i.e. rubber-tired backhoe) or do they make you operate from the top of bank?  Or do they require all hand work?  Do they make you "sweep" for wildlife prior to any activity?

 

I think its a great thing your doing.  I only ask the questions because I have to deal with DLUR on a consistent basis and always wonder what other folks experiences are with them.

Oh just wait until you see his video.  He brings in a cowboy from out west on a big old track machine and the guy goes crazy in the river.  It's great!! 

[Rusty]

Here's the video.

 

https://vimeo.com/72642758

[Matty]

I watched this video once before, but it is cool, so I watched it again. Have to remember to ask Brian for his autograph next time I see him. lol

 

Honestly I don't even get all that excited about trout fishing or fishing in general, but seeing that great video of them swimming around, and beautiful sections of river, it starts to get me a bit riled up. I might break down and add a trout stamp to my all around now. lol

[Bucksnbows]

B&B - Does DLUR permit use of equipment in the channel (i.e. rubber-tired backhoe) or do they make you operate from the top of bank?  Or do they require all hand work?  Do they make you "sweep" for wildlife prior to any activity?

 

I think its a great thing your doing.  I only ask the questions because I have to deal with DLUR on a consistent basis and always wonder what other folks experiences are with them.

 

Like Rusty said, we hop right on the channel with a big old 328 CAT track excavator and tear the channel a new one  

 

Yes, sometimes I need to sweep certain project sites for wood turtles each day.  I am qualified as an amateur herpetologist to perform that work thanks to my many T&E sightings of that species and general knowledge of NJ turtles.  Brian Zarate has been great in working with me on that.  They're good so long as I remain on site which I do all day during our projects.  I have yet to see one during our work and obviously won't at this time of year, but we have found 3 in restored sites later on which is a great testimony of our projects.  When it comes to wood turtles, we avoid filling in overhanging (undercut) banks which those turtles love because undercut banks are also great trout habitat.       

[Bucksnbows]

In action.......

 

[Bucksnbows]

Here's the video.

 

https://vimeo.com/72642758

 

 

Who is that idiot using his hands to show what happens to the channel over time?   

[Kype]

Going to be a great section of the musky when it's done.