Webbs Mill flooded again!

Teegate

Administrator
Site Administrator
Sep 17, 2002
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While walking today I saw that the stream was flowing over the sand road at the back of the bogs. Is there anyone to call?

I doubt it. They gave up. The best way is to remove it yourself if you want to. Just be careful if you do.

Guy
 

bobpbx

Piney
Staff member
Oct 25, 2002
14,154
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Pines; Bamber area
I went by there tonite on my way to Black's Bridge. The beaver have blocked 80% of the flow of the main outlet pipe, and the water was rippling like they were swimming away from the pipe when I stopped the truck and got out. You can't even see the pipe at all now.

They have really destroyed that area. The stream bed on the other side of the road looks like crap now. It'st like we have to ask the F&WS to just remove the road....period....end of story.
 

46er

Piney
Mar 24, 2004
8,837
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Coastal NJ
I would be real careful driving back there. The water has eroded around the large culvert under the road when I went past last week. The recent rains certaily didn't help things. In the very near future that road will be probably totally wash out and collapsed at the culvert.

As far as the bog, the water is about a foot over the boardwalk area. This will be, I think, the 4th winter of flooding there. Looks like a write-off.
 

GermanG

Piney
Apr 2, 2005
1,111
434
Little Egg Harbor
Removing the blockage is futile unless repeated every few days. I’ve done it. A friend has done it. I’m sure others have. The beavers have to go, period. I spoke to a trapper who has a beaver permit for that area and he said he was going to check into it. I will try to follow up on that. Aside from that, this is a short term problem. The wonderful habitat that existed at Webbs Mills Bog was due to disturbance. The flooding is exactly that. If and when the beavers are eliminated and the water levels go back down, the cycle will start over again.
 

bobpbx

Piney
Staff member
Oct 25, 2002
14,154
4,258
Pines; Bamber area
I still can't get it through why people have the steady urge NOT to let nature play it's role. I'm openminded, so if people tell me why maybe I'll understand

Dave, was it you who asked this the last time a similar post was open? I answered a similar question at that time. It is a good question, and normally I agree with you, but this is a special case. I'll do a simple search and see if I can find that post.
 

mudboy dave

Explorer
Oct 15, 2008
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opentrailsnj.org
Dave, was it you who asked this the last time a similar post was open? I answered a similar question at that time. It is a good question, and normally I agree with you, but this is a special case. I'll do a simple search and see if I can find that post.

It very well could have been me. I remember thinking it, but don't remember asking it.
 

46er

Piney
Mar 24, 2004
8,837
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Coastal NJ
I still can't get it through why people have the steady urge NOT to let nature play it's role. I'm openminded, so if people tell me why maybe I'll understand

In this case Dave, it is not of natures doing, but ours. The road is the primary reason for the problem. By itself it is an impediment to the natural flow of the Webbs Mill Branch, the culvert under the road mitigates that somewhat. The beaver dam anchored to the road on one end has created a total blockage of the flow. You have to see it. Many folks have tried to work with NJF&W to resolve the problem. Perhaps one more try by German will do the trick, I hope so, but I doubt it.
 

GermanG

Piney
Apr 2, 2005
1,111
434
Little Egg Harbor
I’m a big proponent of nature taking its course myself. Unique habitats like this form, mature and change all through the pines, and what disappears in one place may appear someplace else. Many of these are never seen by all but a few people. The PBX excursions detailed on this forum give us a glimpse of what is out there if you venture far enough. Most people will not or cannot do this. In the 20 years I’ve worked for the Ocean County Parks Department I’ve taken more people than I can count, many senior citizens, to the boardwalk that accesses Webbs Mills Bog, doing my best to give them a glimpse of the natural wonders of the Pine Barrens. I know of many other individuals and institutions which have led tours here as well. The site has been the subject of magazine articles in New Jersey Outdoors, New Jersey Audubon magazine and others. My very first introduction to the rare plants of the pines was on a college trip to this very site back in 1980, and it holds a special significance for me. This site isn’t just a random habitat. It’s accessibility makes it an outdoor classroom. Think of saving it as you would saving a park nature center from an oncoming forest fire.
 

Teegate

Administrator
Site Administrator
Sep 17, 2002
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If they relocate them to the Sleeper Branch, they can mingle with the million other beavers who have taken control of that stream. They cause very little problem there.

Guy
 

Teegate

Administrator
Site Administrator
Sep 17, 2002
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I was in the area today and decided to not check on the dam. Jessica is all for the beavers so no point in me even going there to remove it with her around :bang:
 

Teegate

Administrator
Site Administrator
Sep 17, 2002
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It is obvious the powers that be have gone that route, and I don't see anyone parked along the road so nobody appears to really be going there.
 

Gibby

Piney
Apr 4, 2011
1,640
442
Trenton
During the week, I had a go at the corrugated pipe, but it was next to impossible because the rodent has filled the inside of it. The risk is too high now. There is a large pool of water behind that dam, and if it is carelessly breached, someone can get hurt.
 

dogg57

Piney
Jan 22, 2007
2,912
375
Southern NJ
southjerseyphotos.com
During the week, I had a go at the corrugated pipe, but it was next to impossible because the rodent has filled the inside of it. The risk is too high now. There is a large pool of water behind that dam, and if it is carelessly breached, someone can get hurt.
Hey Gibby I know you hate the beavers,Me I like them but this maybe your only thing left to do

 
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Gibby

Piney
Apr 4, 2011
1,640
442
Trenton
Hey Gibby I know you hate the beavers,Me I like them but this maybe your only thing left to do


Honestly, I don't have a problem with beavers. I just would like to see the animal that resides at Webbs Mill captured and released in an area where its instincts won't cause harm to an area that is unique for its location.

BTW - tannerite looks like fun!
 

46er

Piney
Mar 24, 2004
8,837
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Coastal NJ
During the week, I had a go at the corrugated pipe, but it was next to impossible because the rodent has filled the inside of it. The risk is too high now. There is a large pool of water behind that dam, and if it is carelessly breached, someone can get hurt.

A long, heavy rain will most likely finish it off.

26morwelleastrainforesta.jpg
 

Gibby

Piney
Apr 4, 2011
1,640
442
Trenton
This is the critter after I spooked him earlier this year when I was walking along the edge of the water by the back road.

beaversm.jpg
 
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