An Epic Drought in the Pine Barrens
Although it is raining as I’m writing this post, it will only do a little to alleviate one of the worst droughts to have hit the New Jersey Pine Barrens. The rivers and streams are down to a trickle. Bogs that were once full of water are looking more like the dried parched desert landscapes you’d expect in places like Death Valley National Park. Hence the title, Death Valley New Jersey
So, what is a landscape photographer to do, especially one who runs landscape photography workshops in the Pine Barrens? It’s been an interesting Fall finding water that is still photogenic and and bogs that have turned into beautiful meadows for people to photograph. This bog dried out and became a field of golden rod.
Golden Rod And Red Maples by Richard Lewis 2024
Since I made this photograph back in September, the drought conditions have gotten worse. Instead of hanging up my gear and waiting out this dry spell, I decided to photograph it. One reason is to document this sad, but historic event. The other reason is to challenge myself to make art out of these conditions. Photographing the Pine Barrens can be challenging and it’s why I say that if you can photograph here, you can photograph anywhere.
All of these photographs were made in the Franklin Parker Preserve because it is a place that I’m intimately familiar with. That familiarity makes it easy to spot even the most minor changes in conditions. Because of my relationship with the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, the Franklin Parker Preserve, their premier preserve, is also a go-to place for unique phenomena like the northern lights, comets and just about anything else.
Bald Eagle Reservoir
When the Franklin Parker Preserve was a cranberry farm, the Bald Eagle Reservoir was used to store water for the harvest. It’s name comes from the resident eagles who sometimes perch and hunt here. This first photograph shows the normal conditions when it is full of water.
Three Cedars In The Morning by Richard Lewis 2016
Here are the recent conditions where it is dry enough to walk across.
Death Valley New Jersey 2 by Richard Lewis 2024
Stumps of cedar trees that are normally underwater.
Death Valley New Jersey 3 by Richard Lewis 2024
A trickle in a small channel is the only water in a place where the water should be up to my waist.
Death Valley New Jersey 1 by Richard Lewis 2024
Lily pads die off instead of floating on the water that should be here.
Pine Barrens Drought by Richard Lewis 2024
Chatsworth Lake
Chatsworth Lake is one of the most scenic spots in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. It is now akin to a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
Frozen Chatsworth Lake by Richard Lewis 2022
Chatsworth Lake Cedars by Richard Lewis 2024
A lone robin is perched atop a dead tree looking for food and water.
Master of the Wasteland
Moon Over The Wasteland by Richard Lewis 2024
A Piney Playa
A Playa is a dried basin in the desert where water will accumulate and evaporate quickly usually causing cracks in the dried mud. This is the Racetrack Playa in Death Valley National Park and is known for its moving rocks.
Speedy The Rock 2 by Richard Lewis 2020
Normally this beautiful wetland, the bog has dried and created a Pine Barrens version of a playa.
Last Light by Richard Lewis
The above wetland now.
Piney Playa 1 by Richard Lewis 2024
Piney Playa 2 by Richard Lewis 2024
Death Valley New Jersey 5 by Richard Lewis 2024
A Beaver Pond
This small scenic pond has dried out to reveal a lot of fallen dead cedar trees that look like an ill-fated game of pickup sticks.
Beaver Pond Sunset by Richard Lewis 2023
Empty Beaver Pond by Richard Lewis 2024
Drone Photographs
A morning drone flight revealed some interesting abstract patterns in the Bald Eagle Reservoir earlier in the drought. This first photograph is a small island under normal conditions.
Over An Island by Richard Lewis 2021
The same area during the drought.
Dried Bog Abstract 1 by Richard Lewis 2024
Once A Cedar by Richard Lewis 2024
Dried Bog Abstract 3 by Richard Lewis 2024
Dried Bog Abstract 2 by Richard Lewis 2024
The recent rain may have briefly quenched the landscape’s thirst for water. It has given the New Jersey Forest Fire Service a little relief from fighting a large number of wildfires that are the result of the drought. We can only hope that this rain will be the start of a wet winter that will restore the water to its normal levels.
Enjoy!
See more of my Pine Barrens Photography here
I had no idea of your drought conditions! Here in the west coast we’ve had record breaking rain the past couple of years. I guess we’ve been getting what you’ve been missing.
That was a great post, with great photos to match, as usual.
Wow! Beautiful photos as always. We were out along Hampton Road in late August/September and was surprised to see the Deep Run Bog without water. And was by the bogs in Atsion and was surprised there was water in them. Praying we get enough rain/snow in the coming weeks and months to replenish.
Your photos provide dramatic documentation of how climate impacts our environment.
These photos are absolutely wild, it’s crazy how bad this drought is!
Amazing Photos and just so sad. Hope it makes a comeback soon!
Thanks for the story. I had no idea this was happening in the Pine Barrens. Although we had a couple inches of snow yesterday here in Ridgefield Ct where Teddie and I now live, it’s Red fire warnings. I have photographed a couple of fires from our high location. Steve R
Not only did you capture some amazing photographs but a piece of history that will last forever. The comparisons perfectly demonstrates the stresses our environment incur over decades and centuries. Thanks for sharing Rich and very informative.