Ridgewood Takes Action: Flood Advisory Committee Tours Flood-Prone Hotspots as Village Accelerates Mitigation Efforts

Volunteers Lead the Charge: Advisory Committee Gains On-the-Ground Insight

photo courtesy of the Village Manager Keith Kazmark

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood is aggressively tackling its long-standing flooding issues. Last week, the Ridgewood Residential Flood Advisory Committee—a dedicated group of volunteer residents—toured the Village’s most flood-prone areas, visiting the Saddle River, the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook, and areas prone to stormwater system backups.

This comprehensive tour led to important discussions and provided committee members with invaluable, first-hand knowledge to inform their ongoing work and advocacy efforts.

Village Manager Keith Kazmark praised the committee’s dedication: “The benefit of the tour should not be diminished in any way. Those who live near the HHK Brook learned about the Saddle River. Those who live with the risk of stormwater flooding, shared the progress they’ve seen.”

A Tsunami of Progress: 10 Steps Ridgewood Has Taken Since Mid-2024

Kazmark acknowledged that prior to mid-2024, many residents felt their flooding concerns were “unheard.” Since a pivotal Town Hall meeting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in June, the Village has undertaken a series of concrete and aggressive actions to address flooding:

1. USACE Study Secured: The Village received Congressional approval for the USACE to formally study flood issues in Ridgewood.
2. Major Capital Investment: Over $400,000 has been budgeted in capital funds specifically to address chronic flooding issues.
3. Hope Street Project Complete: A significant effort was finished in the Hope Street area, including jetting, vacuuming, and video verification of the storm sewer system. This project also replaced solid manhole covers with perforated covers and replaced curb inlets.
4. New Flood Portal: The Village’s GIS Division developed a Flood Portal for residents to log and share specific flooding issues on their properties, directly assisting staff and the USACE study.
5. Routine Maintenance Schedules: New, formalized schedules are now in place for the maintenance of the entire stormwater collection system and culverts, including the runoff area at the PSE&G right-of-way.
6. Waterway Debris Removal: A routine maintenance schedule has been established for debris and branch removal along both the Saddle River and Ho-Ho-Kus Brook.
7. Enhanced Communications: Emergency and storm preparedness communications have been greatly enhanced through Reverse 911, email, and text alerts.
8. Advisory Committee Created: The Village formalized the first-ever Residential Flood Advisory Committee to advocate for and work on flooding solutions for residents.
9. Home Preparedness Info: Information was provided to residents on securing their homes during a flood event, including the use of flood barriers.
10. Tree Planting Initiative: Over 1,000 new trees have been planted through the advocacy of the Shade Tree Commission, which helps with stormwater absorption.

The Path Forward: Pressuring the USACE

While the Village is aggressively pursuing actions within its limited scope, officials acknowledge that major, long-term solutions will take time.

“Flooding will not be fixed overnight,” stated Kazmark. The core focus now remains on pressing the USACE to advance their study of both the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook and the Saddle River to unlock larger, federally supported projects.

The commitment from the Village government, coupled with the dedication of the volunteer Flood Advisory Committee, signals a new, proactive chapter in Ridgewood’s fight against costly and disruptive flooding.

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