Restoring a Forgotten Waterway

In our changing climate, municipalities are hyper-focused on issues related to flooding, while a powerful nature-based solution to these problems is hidden in our buried urban waterways. As municipalities seek solutions to mounting stormwater issues, reclaiming buried water systems through a solution referred to as “daylighting” is gaining attention, and Assemblage is excited to be involved in this work with our Rahway Streambank Restoration Project.

Across the United States, communities have historically been built over the network of waterways that once defined the landscape where our cities now stand. As cities grew exponentially, many natural waterways were covered and directed underground into combined stormwater and sewer systems. Disconnecting our waterways from their living fabric above ground has intensified an aquatic biodiversity crisis that has had a ripple effect on many riparian species. 

In Orange, New Jersey, Assemblage is currently working on a plan with local developers that will resuscitate the streambank biodiversity for the community. The project is situated on a one-block section of the east branch of the Rahway River. Daylighted ten years ago, the stream was left fenced-off and unmaintained, thus over time the streambed filled with runoff deposits, debris, and invasive species. 

While investigating the stream hydrology and the engineered streambed, we discovered that the Rahway is subject to unpredictable extremes of drought and heavy storm events, so designing a resilient streambank plan is a priority. We are looking towards a palette of tough native annuals and perennials that can survive urban climate extremes. Equally important is to design a maintenance plan that will withstand the test of time and adapt to unpredictable conditions. 

As we dig into this project, we understand that streambank restoration is not a simple “quick fix” solution; it takes years to restore a streambank to health. We are committed to continuing this work in order to create effective paths to biodiversity restoration for urban communities. We are excited to be a part of this important and valuable work!