Category: Waterbodies & Other Wetlands 
Location: Located in the southeastern portion of the HMD, flows along the border of Secaucus and Jersey City in Hudson County, underneath the various New Jersey Transit rail lines that converge at the Secaucus Transfer Station. The creek outlets to the Hackensack River, just east of Malanka Landfill.
Current Land Use: Open Water
Site Description: Penhorn Creek is blocked from tidal inundation at two points by tide gates. The first is located just above the Hackensack River by the railroad crossing, while the second is located above Secaucus Road. Both tide gates have associated pump stations. The creek runs through the Croxton rail yards and other industrial areas, resulting in very poor water quality. The surrounding areas consist mainly of industrial grounds and monotypic common reed (Phragmites australis) stands.
Existing Site-Specific Data Inventory
A. Survey, Maps, and GIS
HMD data exists inclusive of this site. Detailed flood control survey completed in 2000.
B. Real Estate/Ownership
N/A
C. Site History & Land Use
General land use studies were conducted for an ecological resource plan completed for the HMD in 1978.
D. Biological Studies – Fauna
A benthos study was conducted in the creek for the Secaucus Transfer Station Project in 1990.
E. Biological Studies – General Environmental
Various general wetland studies were completed for an ecological resource plan for the HMD in 1978.
F. Geotechnical
No data obtained.
G. Hydraulics and Hydrology
Flood control survey conducted in 2000; study conducted between 1998 and 2004, including a two-dimensional hydrology (“child”) model for the creek.
H. Water and Sediments
Water quality studies were conducted in the creek in 1990 and 1994. General water quality studies were completed for an ecological resource plan completed for the HMD in 1978.
I. Historical/Cultural Resources
A cultural resources study of the area associated with the Secaucus Interchange Project, including the creek, was completed in 1992.
J. Restoration/Remediation Design Plans
No data obtained.
Site Reports
Site #41 – Penhorn Creek
Category: Waterbodies & Other Wetlands
Location: Located in the southeastern portion of the HMD, flows along the border of Secaucus and Jersey City in Hudson County, underneath the various New Jersey Transit rail lines that converge at the Secaucus Transfer Station. The creek outlets to the Hackensack River, just east of Malanka Landfill.
Current Land Use: Open Water
Site Description: Penhorn Creek is blocked from tidal inundation at two points by tide gates. The first is located just above the Hackensack River by the railroad crossing, while the second is located above Secaucus Road. Both tide gates have associated pump stations. The creek runs through the Croxton rail yards and other industrial areas, resulting in very poor water quality. The surrounding areas consist mainly of industrial grounds and monotypic common reed (Phragmites australis) stands.
Existing Site Specific Data Inventory
* – Report repeated under multiple data categories and/or sites.
A. Survey, Maps, and GIS
Relevant survey, mapping, and GIS data for the Meadowlands can be found in the Meadowlands-wide site report under data category A.
1. *ERDC, HMDC, & USACE – NYD. Flood Control Survey. 2000. [2a] Survey performed for the HMD that consisted of: 1) cross-sections along the Hackensack River and its major tributaries, including Berry’s Creek, Penhorn Creek, Sack Creek, and the Cayuga Dyke; 2) identifying 30 flood control structures along the Hackensack River; and 3) locating all bridges and piers within the study area. In addition, digital aerials were flown and geo-referenced. The vertical datum for the survey was NGVD29. At 13 of the 30 flood control structures, tide gages and single beam acoustic Doppler current meters were installed and monitored to measure velocity, head difference, and discharge at these locations.
B. Real Estate/Ownership
Not applicable.
C. Site History & Land Use
2. *Mattson, C. P. Ecological and Resource Management Plan for the Hackensack Meadowlands. 1978. [1a]A synopsis of what the then eight-year-old HMDC had learned about the Hackensack Estuary. Section 1 is an ecological primer, Section 2 provides information on the state of the estuary, and Section 3 presents natural resource management strategies for wetlands, water quality, open space, and land use planning.
D. Biological Studies – Fauna
3. *Aguilar Associates & Consultants, Inc. Report on Surface Water Quality and Benthos Biological Studies for the Design Modification to the NEC for the Secaucus Transfer Station Project. June 1990. [1] As part of the comprehensive environmental analysis of the Design Modifications to the Northeast Corridor for the Secaucus Transfer Station Project, surface water quality was analyzed and quantitative benthic studies were performed. Tests were conducted in four locations, including Penhorn Creek and three ponds near the NEC project area.
E. Biological Studies – General Environmental
4. *Mattson, C. P. Ecological and Resource Management Plan for the Hackensack Meadowlands. 1978. [1a]A synopsis of what the then eight-year-old HMDC had learned about the Hackensack Estuary. Section 1 is an ecological primer, Section 2 provides information on the state of the estuary, and Section 3 presents natural resource management strategies for wetlands, water quality, open space, and land use planning.
F. Geotechnical
No data obtained.
G. Hydraulics and Hydrology
5. *ERDC, HMDC, & USACE – NYD. Flood Control Survey. 2000. [2a] Survey performed for the HMD that consisted of: 1) cross-sections along the Hackensack River and its major tributaries, including Berry’s Creek, Penhorn Creek, Sack Creek, and the Cayuga Dyke; 2) identifying 30 flood control structures along the Hackensack River; and 3) locating all bridges and piers within the study area. In addition, digital aerials were flown and geo-referenced. The vertical datum for the survey was NGVD29. At 13 of the 30 flood control structures, tide gages and single beam acoustic Doppler current meters were installed and monitored to measure velocity, head difference, and discharge at these locations.
6. *ERDC & USACE – NYD. The Hackensack Meadowlands Flood Control Study. 1998 – 2004 (On-going). [2a] Undertaken to develop a numerical hydraulic model of the Hackensack River and its associated tidal marshes and channels. A parent model (one-dimensional hydrologic) is being developed for the Hackensack River Basin, while child models (two-dimensional hydrologic) are being developed for Berry’s Creek, Penhorn Creek, Sack Creek, and the Cayuga Dyke. The study also includes the evaluation of the performance of proposed flood control structures and restored wetland areas with respect to flood elevations, as well as the effects of optimum maintenance on existing flood control structures.
H. Water and Sediments
7. *Aguilar Associates & Consultants, Inc. Report on Surface Water Quality and Benthos Biological Studies for the Design Modification to the NEC for the Secaucus Transfer Station Project. June 1990. [1] As part of the comprehensive environmental analysis of the Design Modifications to the Northeast Corridor for the Secaucus Transfer Station Project, surface water quality was analyzed and quantitative benthic studies were performed. Tests were conducted in four locations, including Penhorn Creek and three ponds near the NEC project area.
8. *Konsevick, Edward, Christine Cheng Hobble, & Paul Lupini. Monitoring Effects of Urban Land Use of Esturine Water Quality, Hackensack Meadowlands District, New Jersey. November 1994. [1] In 1993, the USGS, in cooperation with the HMDC, established a network of 14 ambient water monitoring sites, including the Hackensack River, Berry’s Creek, Penhorn Creek, Sawmill Creek, Mill Creek, and Cromakill Creek, to characterize the current status of water quality in the HMD. Salinity, DO, fecal coliform, pH, TSS, turbidity, total phosphorous, ammonia, sulfate, BOD, COD, heavy metal concentrations were measured at each of the monitoring sites.
9. *Mattson, C. P. Ecological and Resource Management Plan for the Hackensack Meadowlands. 1978. [1a]A synopsis of what the then eight-year-old HMDC had learned about the Hackensack Estuary. Section 1 is an ecological primer, Section 2 provides information on the state of the estuary, and Section 3 presents natural resource management strategies for wetlands, water quality, open space, and land use planning.
10. *Mattson, C., G. Potera, & M.E. Saks. Water Quality in a Disordered Ecosystem: A Report on the Water Quality Monitoring Study Performed in the Hackensack Meadowlands between June and September 1971. 1971. [1a] Part of a natural resource inventory on which to base future land use decisions and against which to make future comparisons. Chemistry and water quality were measured at 11 sites, including Berry’s Creek, Penhorn Creek, Losen Slote Creek, Bellman’s Creek, Moonachie Creek, Mill Creek, and the Hackensack River.
I. Historical/Cultural Resources
11. Geismar, Joan H. Stage 1A Cultural Resources Survey of the Impact Area of New Jersey Turnpike Secaucus Interchange Project Hudson County, New Jersey. July 1992. [1a] The study area of this project includes Potters Field and Penhorn Creek. The study indicates that the banks of Penhorn Creek may harbor evidence of prehistoric or early historical use of the area by Native Americans. Parts of the proposed interchange in the vicinity of Potter’s Field and Penhorn Creek will require an archaeological evaluation that should include soil boring data and possible soil testing.
J. Restoration/Remediation Design Plans
No data obtained.
K. Bibliographic Updates
Site #41: Penhorn Creek