So, about six months ago I was tracing a brook through Montclair when I found a very interesting drain. I haven't been able to find the exit on any maps, so I was hoping that maybe somebody here knows of a place where I can find a state or local bulletin specifically about drains/waterways. Google hasn't been much help, and Princeton's online Sanborn maps are all too old. I never go draining alone, but none of my friends own waders (the water is about waist deep at the entrance), so I can't even go map the place myself.

It was about 10 degrees Fahrenheit outside, and there we were standing knee deep in water. Those icicles are about seven feet tall.

click to view

Very cool pic
Waist deep is too deep to be wading in.
It take little current to knock you off your feet... any surge and you be boned in waders.

Posted by blackhawk Very cool pic Waist deep is too deep to be wading in. It take little current to knock you off your feet... any surge and you be boned in waders.

That was one of my main concerns in this place. There was algae on the floor so I had to tread extra carefully. Fortunately, the water is only waist deep at the point right between these icicles. It should be safer once it gets a bit warmer and the ice melts, then I will be able to walk around the center of the tunnel.

(Edit, sounded like the algae was waist deep)

Posted by Nihil Novi That was one of my main concerns in this place. There was algae on the floor and Fortunately, it is only waist deep at the point right between these icicles. It should be safer once it gets a bit warmer and the ice melts, then I will be able to walk around the center of the tunnel.

When it thaws that drain be a death trap until the water recedes.
With cold water hypothermia will set in rapidly.
Don't do it on a warm day with snow still on the ground.

Posted by blackhawk When it thaws that drain be a death trap until the water recedes. With cold water hypothermia will set in rapidly. Don't do it on a warm day with snow still on the ground.

Yeah, I don't plan on going again for a while. We just got into melt weather around here, so that drain is probably pretty full at the moment. I'll probably go back in the spring (on a clear day of course).
The really funny thing about this drain is that the entrance is a part of an old sandstone bridge, but the rest of the drain is all concrete and metal. This makes it so that all the water pools at the entrance and gets super deep, but in the rest of the drain the water is only a few inches.

Sounds like a good plan, it should be fun.
Looking forward to seeing your pics in the spring.
&
Welcome to UER