The Molly Ann Brook Watershed traverses 7.8 miles of Passaic County within the Passaic River Basin, flowing south from its headwaters in the Haledon Reservoir outlet in North Haledon to the Passaic River in Paterson.  The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection identifies the Molly Ann Brook as an impaired watershed that does not meet Surface Water Quality Standards.

Molly Ann Brook Watershed Management Plan

• Molly Ann Brook Watershed Management Plan
• Appendix A - Water Monitoring
• Appendix B - Geomorphology
• Appendix C - Rain Gardens
• Appendix D - Rain Barrels
• Appendix E - BMP Locations
• Appendices F, G and H - Removal Rates, Fact Sheet and Brochure

Rain Barrels

In an effort to improve water quality and environmental health for residents of the Molly Ann Brook Watershed, the Passaic County Planning Department received a 2009 319(h) grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to distribute rain barrels free of charge to residents of Haledon, North Haledon, Prospect Park, and the Hillcrest section of Paterson.

Through the rain barrel distribution, residents will be able to install a rain barrel on their property to collect and store stormwater runoff for gardening, household lawns, or other non-potable uses.  The rain barrels will conserve water, reduce residents’ water utility bills, and reduce non-point source pollution in the Molly Ann Brook Watershed.

Residents of the four municipalities may receive one rain barrel per household at no cost and must provide photo identification and proof of residency within the bounds of the Molly Ann Brook Watershed.  Rain barrel recipients are required to participate in a brief educational seminar on how to properly install, use, and maintain their rain barrel.

As of 2012, 641 rain barrels have been distributed, which prevent 2,000,000+ gallons of stormwater from directly entering the watershed each year

Rain Gardens

Through the 319(h) grant program from the NJDEP, 7 rain gardens have been installed on public property in 4 municipalities. &These rain gardens treat 115,000+ gallons of precipitation each year, preventing harmful pollutants from directly entering the Molly Ann Brook watershed.