By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.net and Jack Bredin, reporter/researcher/illustrator Blogfinger staff.
#1. Above is a diagram of low tide at Wesley Lake in the 1800’s. Water flows freely down a stream into the Lake and on to the Atlantic.
#2. During every high tide, when the tide comes in, salt water from the Atlantic flows through the inlet and into the Lake. When the tide goes out, the water flows out. The water then was clean and clear. This system is an estuary.
#3. However, over the years, the stream which fed fresh water into the Lake was filled in. A dam was built on the east end of the Lake. Ocean water would no longer flow into the Lake except for extreme high tides. Street water was directed into the Lake bringing polluted silt into the Lake. the inlet was filled in and replaced with a drain pipe.
Under these conditions, it would only be a matter of time when the Lake would die.
#4. During the highest of the high tides, when the elevation of the Ocean is simultaneously effected by the gravitational pull of the Sun, the Moon, and a storm surge from a north-east storm, Ocean water flows back through the outflow pipe back over the dam and into Wesley Lake.
This does help to clean the water but does nothing to remove the pollution trapped in the 6-7 feet of mud at the bottom of the Lake. That pollution is killing the Lake, and can only be removed though a dredging operation.
#5. Solution to the problem:
a. Dredge the polluted mud
b. Remove the street water pipes that bring in the pollution and reconnect them to one main pipe that drains into a water treatment plant.
c. A small pump could then fill the Lake with clean Ocean water.
d. Keep the dam and outflow pipe in place
e. Stock the Lake with fish.
Thanks to Jack Bredin for this remarkable lesson in Wesley Lake ecology. Many people love Ocean Grove, all over the world, so something needs to be done.
THE JERSEY SHORE BY TIN PENNY:
It is my understanding that since Sandy the engineered drainage system has not functioned correctly. This has contributed to flash flooding of cars etc at Wesley Grove.
There may be a case to be made that the Army Corps of Engineers is liable for for the necessary repairs needed to become an “estuary” again.
I.M.Radar, According to the Agreement of Charter of the Wesley Lake Commission, Neptune Township and Asbury Park would share in the cost, if they are interested in saving the Lake.
Excuse my ignorance on the “appropriate authority;” but who would be responsible for enacting Mr. Bredin’s suggestion of a conceptual engineering plan with cost estimates in order to seek funding ?
Philip Orton, thank you for your comment, and yes, it could be expensive, but the Lake, as with hospitals, fire dept, schools, municipal complexes, and public open space (as the Lake is) are all important and expensive.
I would suggest that an engineer prepare a simple conceptual plan of how to save the Lake along with an engineering estimate of the cost, and then look for funding.
It may cost more to replace 17 acres of open space (the Lake) as a settlement with Green Acres, then putting in new pipes.
Wonderful illustrations and — coming from an estuary physics scientist — the concepts um hold water !
One possible issue is that digging the pipes for the diversion of stormwater to the other end of town may cost tens of millions of dollars— this is why lovely lagoons are sometimes converted into retention ponds. But I am onboard!!
I.M.Radar, There are no water drainage maps, no main water drainage pipe, and no treatment plant, because it has been determined that the former “Wesley Lake” is now itself a water treatment plant.
Water in Wesley Lake was/is deeper closer to the ocean. West of the “Biergarten bridge” probably the mud is at least 5 feet thick and the water is only around 3 feet above that muck.
DREDGE !
Excellent presentation of the problem. Bravo !
One three-part question please: (relates to doability of item b under solution):
How many street water pipes are visible and connected to the lake ?
Is there a viable connection to an existing main pipe ?
Does Asbury Park have or utilize a water treatment plant?