Bipartisan Legislation Secures Army Corps of Engineers Study to Address Ridgewood Flooding

file photo by Boyd Loving

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the village of Ridgewood has taken a significant step toward solving its long-standing flooding issues. Rep. Josh Gottheimer announced on Thursday that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will study the village’s flooding patterns under the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act. This development comes after Ridgewood officials formally requested federal involvement earlier this year to address recurring floods along the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook and Saddle River.

A “Big Deal” for Ridgewood Flooding Solutions

Ridgewood Mayor Paul Vagianos hailed the announcement as a breakthrough for the village’s flooding crisis.

“This is the first step in finding and evaluating a solution to our flooding problem,” said Vagianos. “We’ve had flooding three times in four months, but we aren’t allowed to fix this stuff. Only the Army Corps can help. We reached out to Josh, and he got it done.”

The legislation authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct critical studies and projects related to flood control, infrastructure improvements, and stormwater protection nationwide.

Severe Flooding’s Impact on Ridgewood

Flooding in Ridgewood has taken a toll on local infrastructure, particularly the village’s sports fields, which serve as vital community spaces.

• The high school stadium field and Stevens Field—both located along Ho-Ho-Kus Brook—are especially vulnerable.
• These artificial turf fields, designed for durability and quick drainage, have faced repeated damage, forcing expensive repairs and disruptions.

In December 2023, a severe storm flooded the fields, forcing the Ridgewood school district to seek field space from 12 neighboring towns for the spring athletic season.

The cost of repairs following storms like Hurricane Henri and Hurricane Ida in 2021 reached $260,000, with insurance covering $160,000. However, the artificial fields require costly disinfection and rigorous impact testing to meet safety standards post-flooding.

A Regional Challenge in the Passaic River Basin

Ridgewood’s flooding is part of a larger regional issue. The Passaic River Basin, spanning 935 square miles across 116 North Jersey and southern New York municipalities, faces persistent water flow challenges.

Stephen Couch, Chief of Planning for the Army Corps of Engineers, highlighted this challenge during a spring meeting with village officials. Ridgewood’s involvement in the Corps’ study underscores the broader efforts needed to address flooding across the basin.

Intermediate Flood Mitigation Steps

Earlier this year, Columbia University’s “Resilient Ridgewood” report suggested practical steps to improve the village’s flood response. Key recommendations include:

• Hiring a dedicated flood team to gather detailed data and improve Ridgewood’s FEMA Community Rating System score, which could lower insurance costs.
• Replacing artificial turf with grass fields and underground retention basins to improve water absorption. This solution, while effective, would render the fields unusable for several years.

Community and School Leaders Welcome the Study

Mayor Vagianos emphasized the importance of federal involvement while acknowledging this is just the beginning.

“We are very happy,” Vagianos said. “It’s a tempered first step.”

Schools Superintendent Mark Schwarz echoed this sentiment, stressing the collaboration between local and federal partners.

“We are grateful to Representative Gottheimer, village officials, the Army Corps of Engineers, and all of Congress for their support in addressing the flooding that has plagued our school properties and the homes of Ridgewood families.”

Looking Ahead

The Army Corps’ study marks a critical first step in developing short- and long-term strategies to control flooding in Ridgewood. While the process may take time, the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act brings hope to a community eager for solutions.

Stay tuned for updates as Ridgewood works toward building a more resilient future with the support of the Army Corps of Engineers and local leadership.

 

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