NJGS Programs

Ambient-Ground-Water-Quality Network - NJGS selects specific wells annually for ground-water-quality monitoring. After the wells are sampled by the Water Monitoring Element, the data is entered into GIS and a report is generated for the targeted aquifer(s). This gives the DEP baseline water quality information.

Aquifer Recharge - The NJGS has published a methodology to map aquifer recharge areas and has mapped ground-water and aquifer-recharge areas on a watershed basis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Beach Replenishment - All sand is not suitable for beach replenishment. NJGS has been examining offshore and on-shore deposits for future projects and tracking erosion and deposition of beaches using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). A bathymetric base map, created from the NOAA data base, is being developed to plot the locations of the seismic lines and vibracore samples.

Boundary-Monument and Tidal-Benchmark Maintenance - The NJGS survey crew maintains the state's boundary with Delaware, Pennsylvania and New York, as required of the DEP by NJSA 52:29-2. The crew also maintains approximately 1200 tidal benchmarks along the coast to measure effects of sea level and shore changes and settle riparian rights disputes.

Brownfields Historic Fill - The "Brownfield and Contaminated Site Remediation Act" (N.J.S.A. 58:10B-1 et seq.) requires the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection to map regions of the state where large areas of historic fill exist and make this information available to the public. These maps prepared by the NJGS show areas of historic fill covering more than approximately 5 acres. For the purposes of these maps, historic fill is non-indigenous material placed on a site in order to raise the topographic elevation of the site. No representation is made as to the composition of the fill or presence of contamination in the fill. Some areas mapped as fill may contain chemical-production waste or ore-processing waste that exclude them from the legislative definition of historic fill.

Earthquakes - New Jersey has experienced many small earthquakes in the past decade. The N.J. State Police, Office of Emergency Management, has been working with NJGS to enter earthquake data, soil liquefaction and landslide susceptibility on GIS and identify high hazard areas under a Federal (FEMA) grant. Assistance also is provided to DOT to identify highway bridges that may pose a hazard if damaged by an earthquake.

Executive Branch - As the state geological survey, NJGS is expected to provide assistance to other departments. Presently, assistance is provided to DOT and the Attorney General on non-DEP related matters. Although DEP receives NJGS appropriation, legislative intent was for NJGS to serve the entire Executive Branch.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

In 1992 the New Jersey Legislature appropriated funds for the "Completion of Water Resources Geographic Information Systems" (PL 1991, Chapter 346). Since that date the NJGS has been generating and compiling geoscience data needed for water resources evaluation and placing this data in a GIS. Our databases consist of GIS coverages that are built and maintained using state-of-the-art GIS software and other relational database files. Completed data are organized into a comprehensive file system called GEODATA that includes subdirectories for geography, geology, geophysics, and groundwater. Please refer to GEODATA for more information on database content and the means for obtaining custom products.

Geologic Mapping - NJGS is mapping surficial and bedrock geology throughout the state with a long-term goal of complete coverage at 1:24,000 scale. Mapping is partially funded by a federal grant program known as Statemap, a component of the National Geologic Mapping Act. Geologic maps provide basic data to address natural resource or environmental issues. Government regulators and the public use these maps and reports for making environmental decisions and conducting scientific research. Published maps are available for purchase through NJDEP Maps and Publications Sales Office or as free downloads in Adobe PDF™ format . Some geologic data are available digitally in GIS format as Digital Geodata Series.

Geologic and Environmental Hazards - Local government and the private sector depends on NJGS to assist with subsidence, sinkholes (karst) and unique groundwater problems. NJGS geochemists provide assessments of soil, ground water and bedrock chemistry. Current projects include evaluation of Radium and Arsenic contamination in ground waters of the Coastal Plain and Northern New Jersey. Studies show some of the elevated Arsenic is naturally occurring. The NJGS also is working with Office of Safety Compliance, Mine Safety Unit, as well as local officials, on the collapse of an abandoned iron mine in the northern New Jersey.

Ground-Water-Pollution Investigations - The NJGS is capable of performing an entire ground-water pollution investigation. Our subsurface investigations program includes drilling and borehole-logging capabilities. Geophysicists use state-of-the-art geophysical techniques and equipment and work with hydrogeologists to evaluate the subsurface aquifers with non-invasive techniques. NJGS assists counties and municipalities in finding causes of contamination and providing remedial solutions.

Local Government and Public Assistance - NJGS provides geotechnical expertise to the public sector on a variety of issues, including water supply, geologic hazards, environmental resource planning, and earth science education. Every DEP permit involving ground water or landuse (NJPDES, ISRA, water diversion, solid waste, etc.) requires geologic and hydrologic data from NJGS databases, maps or publications. This is a function that has been performed for the public for over 100 years. NJGS also is considered an objective neutral party for dispute resolution.

Mineral-Resources Assessments - New Jersey has a  long history of mining and a $250,000,000 mineral industry. Current mining activities include the quarring of stone and the mining of sand and gravel. Analyses are performed to find new mineral resources e.g. the location and abundance of offshore sand and gravel for beach-replenishment projects in conjunction with the U.S. Mineral Management Services.

Radon, Radium and Uranium-Potential Assessment - NJGS has correlated certain rock types and environments with elevated radon levels. This allows state and local government to identify high-risk areas.  Radium and Uranium are also found in some public community and non-community supply wells.

Site-Remediation Assistance - NJGS analyzes and performs hydrogeologic work at pollution sites when needed, and reviews consultant reports with regard to both geology and hydrogeology. The NJGS has encouraged the use of geophysics to characterize sites to minimize the need for expensive borings and wells. Pre-remedial investigations by NJGS help reduce site-remediation costs and allow the DEP to streamline the remediation-contract process. The NJGS also provides quality assurance for compliance documents that include hydrogeologic and geophysical methods.

Subsurface Mapping - The NJGS geophysicists assist the NJGS Mapping section by providing remotely-sensed subsurface information. This greatly increases the value of geologic maps by providing 3-dimensional information (cross sections). This is especially important where buried valley aquifers only occupy a narrow part of a river valley, but supply ground water to an entire region (for example, Passaic Valley). NJGS provides support to the U.S. Geological Survey to help establish the subsurface geologic framework.

Watershed Characterization & Assessment - A vital aspect of the NJDEP watershed characterization and management initiative is assessing the status of the state's ground-water resources. This requires knowing the geologic and hydrologic properties of a watershed. The NJGS contributes essential information for the characterization process including the location, extent, and productivity of aquifers, the distribution and rates of ground-water recharge, data on ground-water quality, and the amount of ground-water discharge to surface streams (base flow).

Water Supply - NJGS analyzes and reviews hydrogeologic reports submitted in support of water supply diversion applications for the Water Supply Element. The Survey also provides input to Water Supply on the abandonment and sealing of wells penetrating multiple aquifers. NJGS maintains and updates geologic and hydrologic databases used by Water Supply and DEP permit applicants. In addition, NJGS conducts regional water resource assessments and regional ground water models required by the 1981 Water Bond Act. NJGS also provides geologic & hydrologic information to the regulated community for locating high capacity industrial and municipal wells. NJGS is responsible for the DEP/USGS ground-water-monitoring network and drought networks.

Well Head Protection Area (WHPA) Delineation - As part of the Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP), NJGS calculates the well head protection area. All public community supply well locations (roughly 2,416 wells) are available for download. NJGS is compiling locations of public non-community wells (roughly 7,000 wells). Well head protection areas are calculated in accordance with the Guidelines for Delineation of Well Head Protection Areas New Jersey (Adobe PDF file). The well head protection areas provide a critical component of the source water assessment and protection activities as well as the basis for focusing efforts of the state's ground-water protection strategy.