At Two Bridges, on Lincoln Park's southeastern edge, the Pompton River ends its run and pours into the Passaic. That spot is the lowest point in Morris County, around 160 feet above sea level, and the borough's own elevation is only about 20 feet higher. Water covers more than seven percent of Lincoln Park's area, and the land between the rivers and Great Piece Meadows forms a sizable floodplain. Residents who have been here a while can list flood years from memory.
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Two Bridges and a Floodplain Shared With Wayne and Fairfield
The Pompton flows south between Lincoln Park and Wayne, carrying runoff from the Ramapo, Wanaque and Pequannock watersheds, and the Passaic loops around Great Piece Meadows before meeting it. Together, the two rivers spread across a wide, flat plain. When the Passaic is already high downstream, the Pompton can't drain into it, and water backs up across low streets and yards.
Major floods in April 1984, April 2007, March 2010 and August 2011 show the pattern: many of the worst events come in spring, from long rains on melting snow, not only from hurricanes. In 2010 the state formed the Passaic River Basin Flood Advisory Commission, and a long-debated proposal for a flood tunnel would divert Pompton water in Wayne. Neither has changed the basic geography.
Irene, Record Crests and the Buyouts That Followed
Hurricane Irene in late August 2011 sent the Pompton to a record crest on August 29. Afterward, Lincoln Park was among several Passaic basin towns allotted roughly $2.9 million to $4.1 million in federal funds to buy out between 10 and 20 repeatedly flooded homes each. Some residents have chosen buyouts; many more homes remain in the floodplain.
For owners still close to the rivers, flooding is a recurring cost, not a one-time event. Keeping records from every flood (photos, receipts, moisture reports) helps with future claims and with any mitigation grant applications.
Slow Floods Need a Different Cleanup Plan
A flash flood rises and falls in hours. River flooding at Two Bridges can linger for days, which means walls, floors and contents stay submerged longer and absorb more contamination. That changes what can be saved.
- Drywall, insulation and carpet that sat in floodwater are removed, often to two or four feet above the water line.
- Hardwood floors that soaked for days usually buckle and come out; tile over a concrete slab may survive.
- Furnaces, water heaters and electrical panels that went underwater need inspection before they are turned back on.
- Silt left behind is shoveled out, and surfaces are washed and disinfected before drying begins.
Fast water removal once the river drops, followed by full flood cleanup and drying, limits how much of the structure has to be rebuilt.
Mold Pressure in a Wetland Town
Lincoln Park sits next to thousands of acres of wooded swamp, and groundwater stays high much of the year. After a flood, mold can establish itself on wet framing within a few days, especially in late summer when the air is warm and humid. Open walls promptly, run dehumidifiers continuously and do not rebuild until moisture readings confirm the framing is dry. Homes that have flooded more than once often hide old growth behind finished walls; mold remediation during repairs is a chance to address it.
Tracking the Rivers Before Water Arrives
The USGS gauge on the Pompton River at Pompton Plains, just upstream, has daily records back to 1903 and shows how fast the river is rising. National Weather Service flood watches and Morris County emergency alerts, which the borough points residents to, give additional notice. When the forecast turns, move vehicles to higher ground, take valuables and documents upstairs, shut off utilities if water is expected inside, and leave early if told to evacuate. Flood insurance is separate from homeowners coverage and usually has a 30-day waiting period, so buy it well before storm season.
Lincoln Park Neighborhoods and Surrounding Towns
The same line also serves nearby communities such as:
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Lincoln Park flood even when it hasn't rained much locally?
The Pompton River collects water from a large area of the Highlands and the Ramapo Mountains to the north, and the Passaic drains much of Morris County. Rain that falls far upstream reaches Two Bridges a day or more later. If the Passaic is high, the Pompton backs up as well, so local streets can flood after the sky has cleared.
Is my Lincoln Park home eligible for a flood buyout?
Buyouts in New Jersey have been offered through federal and state programs for homes with repeated flood losses, and Lincoln Park received funding after Irene. Eligibility, funding and timing change from round to round. Ask the borough and Morris County about current programs, and keep thorough records of each flood loss, since documented history is central to most applications.
Can I stay in my house while it dries after a river flood?
Sometimes, if the living areas stayed dry and utilities are safe. But floodwater from the Pompton and Passaic is contaminated, and drying equipment runs around the clock. If the first floor took water, or the furnace and water heater were submerged, most families stay elsewhere until cleanup, disinfection and safety checks are complete.