Wreck Pond

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Wreck Pond is a tidal pond located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It is surrounded by Wall Township and the boroughs of Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, and Sea Girt.

The pond is the center of the Wreck Pond Watershed, which covers about 12 square miles in eastern Monmouth County. Its primary feeder streams are Wreck Pond Brook, Hurleys Pond Brook and Hannabrand Brook. Other bodies of water in the watershed include: Hurleys Pond, Osbornes Pond, Albert Pond and Old Mill Pond. It empties into the Atlantic Ocean through a gate and outfall pipe designed to prevent salt water infiltration.

Some of the acres of land surrounding Wreck Pond are under public ownership and are protected from development. Other lands are considered freshwater wetlands and are protected from development by federal and New Jersey laws and regulations. The watershed is part of the South Coast Subwatershed Management Region.

The pond depth of the pond has increased substantially over several years as sediments carried by feeder creeks and increased storm water runoff have settled into it. This has also caused the pond to become choked with fecal coliform bacteria. Much water flowing into the pond from storms causes the pond to flush into the Atlantic Ocean. This, in turn, often causes the closure on ocean beaches in Sea Girt and Spring Lake.

The cause of the coliform contamination is debated, but many believe it results from storm water carrying feces deposited by non-native geese and swans who live around Wreck Pond year-round. Others include fertilizer, runoff from farms, pet wastes and trash carried by runoff into the pond. Activists have called for measures to control the geese and swan populations and to foster the growth of native bird populations in the area.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has funded a partial dredging of Wreck Pond and the extension of the storm water runoff pipe about 100 yards farther into the ocean, to prevent pollution from affecting beaches in neighboring towns.

The Wreck Pond Watershed Preservation Association, a group of local residents, environmental activists and government officials interested in preserving Wreck Pond, meets frequently to discuss issues with preserving the area.