Contractors working under the supervision of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency began mapping the riverbed of the Lower Hackensack River Superfund site, initiating a comprehensive physical survey that directly impacts Hackensack's waterfront. The field study, which commenced the week of September 14, 2026, is part of an ongoing effort to analyze the depth and geological features of the contaminated riverbed.
The scope of the physical mapping covers a 22-mile stretch of the river, extending from its mouth in Hudson County all the way up to the Oradell Dam in Bergen County. Because Hackensack lies directly along this critical corridor, local residents can expect to see active monitoring and specialized equipment deployed on and above the water through the end of October 2026.
According to federal guidelines and project plans, the survey teams are utilizing small vessels, up to 25 feet in length, to tow specialized survey sensors across the river channel. Additionally, a small fixed-wing airplane equipped with light detection and ranging (lidar) laser technology is conducting low-altitude flights along the shoreline to capture high-resolution elevation data.
In October, the monitoring will transition to ecological assessments. Teams will utilize pontoon boats to evaluate shoreline vegetation, inspect structural features such as bridges and stormwater outfalls, and assess the local habitat. This phase of the study will focus heavily on the areas between the Pulaski Skyway and Laurel Hill Park, though the broader data collection will inform cleanup decisions for the entire 22-mile Superfund boundary.
This federal cleanup effort coincides with local municipal action to improve the Hackensack River watershed. The City of Hackensack, in partnership with New Jersey Clean Communities and Hamline University, has recently launched an "Adopt-A-Drain" program. This local initiative encourages residents to keep nearby storm drains clear of debris, directly reducing the volume of street level pollutants and refuse that wash into the local river system during heavy rain events.