Contact Us:
Andrew Rhoades
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
princeton@njwaterwatch.org

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER AT OUR EARTH DAY CANOE CLEANUP OF THE D & R CANAL! 

View our Alternative Spring Break Blog 

Princeton was settled in the late 17th century by Thomas Hornor because it was a beautiful place in a prime location between Philadelphia and New York. It was a farming settlement and stage coach stop when the University moved to Princeton in 1756. Many people have chosen to live in Princeton because of its historical value and natural beauty. To this day, Princeton remains a beautiful town with farmhouses on its outskirts and the University at its heart.

The Stony Brook begins in East Amwell in Hunterdon County and runs east until it discharges into Carnegie Lake, which was constructed in 1906 for the University's crew team. The Delaware and Raritan Canal, Princeton's primary source of drinking water, runs parallel to the Lake separated by the tow path.

The beauty and charm of this town have caused an influx of housing developments and commercial complexes to be built in the closely surrounding area. This is causing erosion of the rivers and stream banks and contamination of the water. Agricultural fertilizer runoff from the surrounding farms is also a source of pollution for the Millstone River and its tributaries. Water Watch became an official group on Princeton University's campus in 2000 because of the effects of the development of this area on the waterways.

Please visit the Princeton Water Watch website to learn more about how we are working with the community to address local water quality problems. Our water monitoring team meets every Saturday at 10 a.m. in front of Guyot Hall (behind the Frist Student Center on Washington Road) and heads out together to conduct chemical and biological tests at Lake Carnegie. Our Environmental Elementary Education program presents fun, interactive lessons to teach children how to protect our lakes, rivers, and streams. Also, every semester we organize a number of River Clean-ups. Check back for more information!