Revamped 'Mud Hole' Helps To Control Flooding In Nutley Neighborhood

NUTLEY, NJ — A newly redesigned “Mud Hole” in Nutley is helping to control flooding in the nearby neighborhood, officials say.

Nutley recently carried out a mitigation project at Memorial Park (the Mud Hole). The effort was undertaken in response to the damage caused by Tropical Storm Ida in 2021.

The goal? To help prevent some of the flooding the town experienced during the devastating storm.

According to township officials, the project included installing a system that controls the water flow into the Mud Hole, allowing for the drainage of up to two million gallons of water. The system can effectively lower water levels by about 3.5 feet.

The new system includes a floodgate that regulates water flow, ensuring that when the pond reaches capacity, excess water is diverted away from streets and into designated areas. This reduces the likelihood of flooding – even during significant rain events.

The project was originally slated to start in early November, but was pushed back until after the new year due to the holidays.

>> Read More: Work On ‘Mud Hole’ In Nutley Postponed Until After Holidays

Since rolling out, the new system is working out as planned, officials said, pointing to three recent weather events:

• “In the first, a forecast of light rain resulted in over an inch of precipitation. The water management system proactively lowered the water level of the Mud Hole prior to the storm, allowing for absorption of rainwater and ultimately preventing overflow into parks and surrounding areas.”
• “A second storm presented a challenge when the anticipated 0.3 inches of rain unexpectedly exceeded an inch. Although overflow occurred, the Parks Department recognized that had they anticipated the higher rainfall, the system could have been adjusted to prevent flooding.”
• “In a third instance, foreseeing a significant storm, the department successfully lowered the Mud Hole’s water level for management of over an inch of rainfall without flooding.”

Commissioner Mauro Tucci, who serves as Nutley’s Parks and Recreation Department director, said the redesigned Mud Hole is working “exactly as intended.”

“By monitoring weather patterns and adjusting our strategies, we are able to significantly reduce the risk of flooding in our community,” Tucci said. “This proactive approach not only protects our parks, streets and homes but also enhances the quality of life for residents.”

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.