November 23, 2016

The fish passage culvert construction is complete. Earlier this month, Simpson and Brown attached the final section of culvert completing the 600’ long structure that will serve as a secondary connection between Wreck Pond and the Atlantic Ocean. Completion of this project is the culmination of several years of hard work by the American Littoral Society, US Fish and Wildlife Service, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Spring Lake, and Leon S. Avakian LLC., who have all worked tirelessly to improve the ecology of Wreck Pond through better fish passage, improved flood control, and cleaner water. 

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On November 21, 2016, a press event was held on the beach to mark the completion of the fish passage culvert.  Those who spoke at the event included: DEP Deputy Commissioner David Glass, Congressman Chris Smith, Freeholder Director Thomas Arnone, Spring Lake Mayor Jennifer Naughton, USFWS NJ Field Supervisor Eric Shrading, and American Littoral Society Executive Director Tim Dillingham.

"This project combines restoration of an important coastal environment with reducing the vulnerability of the local communities to future hazards," the American Littoral Society's Dillingham said, pictured above. "It successfully demonstrates how restoring the coastal environment can help the shore bounce back from storms while improving daily life for people and wildlife in the surrounding area."

"The Wreck Pond project is a critical project for fish and wildlife in Monmouth County that will not only improve water quality, but will provide important migratory fish passage to the Wreck Pond watershed," the Fish and Wildlife Service's Schrading said.  "This project was only possible through the tremendous collaboration of local, state and federal partners, and the important work by the American Littoral Society.   It will be really special to see a successful run of river herring in Wreck Pond as a result of this project."

 Although this marks the completion of construction at Wreck Pond, dredging will continue until December 31, 2016. Furthermore, monitoring for river herring at Wreck Pond will continue for years to come.