The Millstone River and the Delaware and Raritan Canal run side by side for miles along the western edge of Franklin Township, past Kingston, Griggstown, Blackwells Mills and East Millstone before the river joins the Raritan at Manville. The canal once carried as much as 200,000 tons of goods a year in the 1860s; today its towpath is a park, and the valley it follows is the township's main source of river flooding.
With about 47 square miles and more than 68,000 residents, the township ranges from older riverside hamlets to large suburban communities like Somerset and Franklin Park. Call (888) 317-9980 and we'll connect you with an independent restoration provider that serves your part of town.
How the call works: when you call (888) 317-9980, The Restoration Job connects you with an independent restoration provider that serves Franklin Township. That provider inspects the damage, explains the scope and quotes the work. The Restoration Job doesn't perform restoration itself. Read our referral disclosure.
Millstone Valley Crests From Floyd to Ida
The Millstone basin has a long record of serious floods. Floyd in September 1999 drove the river to a record of about 21 feet, more than twice flood stage, and Irene brought severe flooding again in 2011.
Ida's remnants in September 2021 produced major flooding all along the township's stretch of the river. Gauges at Griggstown and Blackwells Mills crested in the major category, and the gauge at Weston, near Manville, set a record the morning of September 2. The stream called Bound Brook also set a record at its gauge in Middlesex. Countywide, rescuers made more than 50 water rescues.
Canal Hamlets and Suburban Developments: Different Risks
Homes in the older villages along the river and canal, such as Griggstown, East Millstone and the Kingston Mill Historic District, sit closest to the water, and the Kingston area is a designated historic district with buildings far older than today's floodplain rules. River flooding there means contaminated water, long drying times and frequently a full gut of lower walls.
In Franklin Township's larger suburban communities like Somerset, Franklin Park and Middlebush, the more common call is a flooded basement from heavy rain, a failed sump pump, a water heater leak or a supply line under a sink. Those are usually clean-water losses that respond well to prompt water extraction and drying.
What a Restoration Provider Will Do After River Water
- Confirm power and gas are safe before work starts.
- Remove standing water and mud, then strip out wet carpet, padding, insulation and drywall to above the waterline.
- Clean and disinfect remaining framing, floors and foundation walls.
- Set dehumidifiers and air movers, then log moisture readings each day until framing and slab reach dry standard.
- Document everything with photos and moisture logs for the claim.
After a large regional flood, demand on flood cleanup providers spikes. Start the documentation and safe cleanout yourself while waiting, and keep receipts for anything you buy.
Mold Season Along the Millstone
The major floods here, Floyd, Irene and Ida, all arrived in late summer, when heat and humidity are at their peak. July averages close to five inches of rain in Somerset County. Wet building materials left closed up in those conditions can grow mold within a few days. Thorough drying is the main defense; once growth spreads across drywall or framing, removal under containment is the safer approach.
Flood Insurance and Maps for Riverside Properties
Homeowners policies do not pay for rising river water, and that holds for every part of Franklin Township, not just the riverbanks. Surface runoff that enters a basement from outside is also generally classed as flood. If your property is anywhere near the Millstone, the canal, Six Mile Run or Ten Mile Run, look it up on the FEMA flood map and talk to your agent about a separate flood policy. New flood policies generally carry a 30-day waiting period, so buying one when a storm is in the forecast is usually too late.
Where Callers in the Franklin Township Area Are
Calls come in from across Franklin Township, including:
- Somerset
- Franklin Park
- East Millstone
- Griggstown
- Middlebush
- Kingston
- Zarephath
- Blackwells Mills
The same line also serves nearby communities such as:
- Manville
- Hillsborough
- New Brunswick
- South Bound Brook
- Piscataway
- North Brunswick
- Montgomery
- Millstone
Common Questions
How can I track the Millstone River during a storm?
The USGS gauge on the Millstone River at Blackwells Mills reports current water levels online and drains about 258 square miles upstream. The National Weather Service in Mount Holly issues flood warnings and river crest forecasts for gauges at Griggstown, Blackwells Mills and Weston. Comparing the forecast crest with past events like Ida gives a sense of what to expect.
Is basement water from heavy rain treated the same as river flooding?
Not always. Clean water from a broken pipe or a sump that couldn't keep up can often be dried in place. Water that came from outside across the ground, or from a backed-up drain, is treated as contaminated, which means removing porous materials it touched and disinfecting. Insurance treats them differently too, so describe the source accurately when you report it.
I live near the canal but not the river. Am I at risk?
The canal parallels the Millstone closely, so low ground near one is often near the other. During Ida, gauges up and down the valley reached major or record levels. Your specific risk depends on elevation, which is why checking the FEMA flood map for your address is the most reliable starting point.