$300K Grant Funds Study To Stop Whippany River Flooding In Morristown

MORRISTOWN, NJ — The various Morris communities along the Whippany River have seen the devastation caused by flooding, and the enduring problem is now receiving some federal attention.

Morris County Commissioners Stephen Shaw and Tayfun Selen attended a press conference with U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill on Tuesday, April 11, on the banks of the Whippany River in Morristown, where she presented a $300,000 check to begin a "Flood Risk Reduction Feasibility Study."

The funding is for one year and is included in the House Appropriations Committee Fiscal Year 2023 bill as a community project on behalf of NJ-11.

"In recent years the deterioration of the banks of the Whippany River has led to significant increases in flooding around Morristown," Mayor Tim Dougherty said. "Our community has certainly felt the impact of this dangerous and hazardous flooding. I am thrilled that funding has been secured to mitigate future damage and am confident that these efforts to improve the Whippany River will bring about significant change."

The multi-year project, officially known as the Whippany River Watershed Flood Risk Reduction Feasibility Study, will investigate local risks and costs associated with potential solutions.

"Our church has been located in this flood plain since 1874 and we have waited patiently for something to be done. In 2011, after Hurricane Irene, we made a renewed effort to have a flood water mitigation strategy implemented. We believe this new study will open the doors for hard-working residents in search of affordable housing,” said Bethel Church of Morristown Pastor Rev. Sidney Williams.

The mayors of six Morris County towns along the Whippany River — Morristown, Morris Plains, Parsippany, East Hanover, Hanover and Florham Park — have formed a flood mitigation task force.

Working with Congresswoman Sherrill's staff, last year, the task force submitted a $1.5 million dollar Fiscal Year 2023 Community Project grant under Sherrill's sponsorship.

These funds will be used for the first phase of a multi-year, multi-phase project to de-snake the Whippany River by removing dangerous obstructions and debris.

In the coming years, significant additional grant funds will be required for stream bank stabilization, sediment removal, and re-establishing and replanting vegetation along stream banks to reduce erosion and improve stormwater flow.

"On behalf of the entire Morristown community, I would like to thank Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill for fighting for these community projects that will have a lasting impact on our town for many years to come," Dougherty said.