Crafts Creek and Spring Hill Brook are two streams that run through a large part of Mansfield Township. There are multiple elements that contribute to the special nature of these two streams. The fact that these streams exist in the most densely populated state in the United States makes their survival all the more important. Both of these streams run through some of the richest farming soils in New Jersey. The percentage of watershed forested canopy is still significant. Threatened and endangered wildlife forage and live in these watersheds.

Not to mention the beauty of large areas of these watersheds would be remiss. Take a look at the bridge on Mill Lane, then west as Crafts Creek meanders along the north side of Columbus. It is quite a view. Look at the unofficially named Hedding Hill on Jacksonville Road and view the open marsh area at the base of this hill that slopes toward Crafts Creek. What would be more pleasant than looking westward toward Crystal Lake? Here a virgin forest that extends to the water’s edge can be seen where great blue herons and great white egrets stand feeding at the lake’s edge.

Visit Georgetown. Here the pond that the headwater of Crafts Creek creates is located. There are many other small and large viewscapes that can be seen in Mansfield’s watersheds.

There are multiple impairments that threaten the streams in these beautiful watersheds. Keeping these streams as pristine as possible is to serve ourselves and our natural resources. Crafts Creek and Spring Hill Brook contribute their flow to the Delaware River at Newbold Island, a critically sensitive, biodiversity, NJDEP recognized area of marsh, river and wildlife. Water from these streams flow on to contribute a supply of drinking water for folks south of us in large parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Philadelphia metropolitan areas.

When watershed impairments are mentioned physical problems of erosion, chemicals from road runoff, chemicals from lawn maintenance, herbicides, pesticides, nitrates, phosphorous, fecal coliforms from animals and humans are thought of. Loss of permeable soils to impermeable asphalt, soil compaction, building and encroachment on wetlands will directly affect stream flow. The result of all these impairments equate to water degradation. We have all of the above impairments, to some degree, in these watersheds and in their tributaries. The future goals of citizens should be to identify and address as many of these impairment s as can be found.

In 1972 Congress enacted the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. It’s purpose is to restore and maintain our nation’s waters. This legislation was designed to involve the public in this long, difficult process. In watershed management many tasks can be accomplished by interested citizens. Using stream visual and scientific assessments, benthic macroinvertebrate monitoring, soil hydro geological information analysis, reintroduction of native plant species, and physical remediation, our streams will improve, thus improving the health and welfare of wildlife and humans.