On the River - From Pristine River to Polluted Body & Back

Journeys into River Edge

As seen over the past few weeks River Edge and neighboring Oradell were once a resort communities along the shores of a pristine Hackensack River.

But that all changed when the river was dredged to create what is now the Oradell Reservoir.

We here share with you some images that tell that part of the story. (Courtesy of J. Irving Crump’s Oradell: Biography of a Borough, 1969).

The first gives an indication of how the river looked during its heyday as a recreational destination. According to local histories, swimming, canoeing and fishing were activities that drew participants from near and far. It was considered as nice a place as there was, and it was all very accessible by rail.

Two other images show what happened next.

A first attempt at creating the reservoir was made in 1900. The bed of the Hackensack was dredged but the effort was deemed inadequate. The project, as well as the once bucolic river, were abandoned.

It was not until a John C. Tierney built a second dredge modeled after the type used to construct the Panama Canal that the job was completed.

Eventually, the Oradell Reservoir would become a local water source. But folks no longer came to fish, swim and boat as they once did. In fact that damming, as well as pollution, wetlands destruction, and massive overdevelopment eventually rendered the river’s tidal reaches a toxic dead zone.

The damage was far reaching.

In Oradell, the Hotel Delford, once a premier destination for travelers, would shortly thereafter be closed and then ultimately razed. A similar process occurred locally in River Edge as camp sites along the river disappeared one by one.

After a few decades the pollution had grown to such a level that local officials felt something had to be done to address the situation.

The solution proposed was the building of a lake - Lake Hackensack - from the Hackensack River.

Those who know of such things say that there was once a Lake Hackensack in the mastodon's time, so It can be said that this was actually an effort to “bring back” a Lake Hackensack The idea was to transform the river to a lake In an area after a dam or tidal barrier built between Hackensack and Bogota running to River Edge in order to eliminate polluted, tidal action and stabilize the lake water level.

It was envisioned as transforming a heavily polluted section of the Hackensack River into a fresh water lake capable of supporting a wide range of water orientated activities on its 180 acres. The shoreline, such as Foschini and Johnson Parks, was to have shoreline landscaping to encourage the residents to come for the boating, fishing, as well as the shoreline bicycle and walking trails.

Also in the plans was a system of boat transportation which could provide service between Hackensack and other points on the lake. There was to be a 5 acre marsh that would be preserved and protected.

The talk in the early 1970’s was of restoring the area around the the Von Steuben House to its original colonial village atmosphere, with the area to be linked to Hackensack by the lakefront path system and boat facilities. There was even talk of an open-air amphitheater to be included.

Of course, the lake was never built. However, some of its proposed elements were, in fact, implemented in subsequent decades the years.

These days the cause for restoration on the river is taken upon by different groups – locally the Environmental Commission, who do so much river clean-ups and more.

On a regional basis efforts are spearheaded by the Hackensack Riverkeeper . The passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972 acted as a trigger in the genesis of the Waterkeeper movement in the 1980s, and the founding of Hackensack Riverkeeper in 1997.

States its website:

“Since the passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972, the genesis of the Waterkeeper movement in the 1980s, and the founding of Hackensack Riverkeeper in 1997 – and with the collaboration of federal, state, and local partners, the Hackensack River has begun to recover. The fish are returning. Our work and mission are to return the river and its watershed to as close to its original nature as possible – and provide sustainable resources and recreation to its people, and with the collaboration of federal, state, and local partners, the Hackensack River has begun to recover. The fish are returning. Our work and mission are to return the river and its watershed to as close to its original nature as possible – and provide sustainable resources and recreation to its people….”

Today, the Oradell Reservoir is a peaceful, though fenced in, place (especially in the modern ‘age of security”). A wide array of wild life can be found there. The place is occasionally even opened to scouts for a fishing derby and once a year to kayakers through the Riverkeeper. Local residents can also apply for watershed access through United Water for hiking, fishing and more at the Reservoir.

And, at the Historic New Bridge Landing a process has started that will ultimately result in an interpretive museum.

So, though the body may not be called Lake Hackensack, a vision for that area and the Hackensack River valley continues

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Source Materials - Biography of A Borough: Oradell (1969), by Irving Crump; Oradell Centennial; 1894-1994…..Thanks to Borough Historian Frank Vierling for his guidance and help in 2011. And, a special thank you to the late George Carter, the one o time Borough Archivist, for his ear, his support generally and in particular his help in securing historic pictures from the Borough/Library Collection….. The Archives, remain located at the Oradell Public Library. Call the library for up to date info about access.

More:
More: http://www.hackensack.org/.../8444/1976_History_Book.pdf

Here is a 1972 NY Times article on Lake Hackensack:

https://www.nytimes.com/1972/11/26/archives/after-66-years-hackensack-may-get-new-lake.html