Rockaway, New Jersey, US |
|
| Usual Difficulty | IV-V (for normal flows) |
|---|---|
| Length | 0.7 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 140 fpm |
| Max Gradient | 140 fpm |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockaway River above Reservoir at Boonton NJ | ||||
| usgs-01380500 | 120 - 3000 cfs | IV-V | 00h35m | 129 cfs (rc= 0.0 ) |
Lately there have been some "issues" relating to access on the upper section of the river (from the falls to the gauge). Go to http//www.njwhitewater.info and click on the Boonton link for lots more information about the situation.
Here's a summary.
In the winter of 2006-07, seemingly in response to a rescue incident which occurred in July of 2006, the town council of Boonton made it clear that they didn't feel Boonton Gorge was an appropriate place for paddling and that they would be working to create legislation which would prevent paddling on the Rockaway River through Boonton Gorge. Since then, little has changed. The town has not proposed, nor accepted any ordinances which would prevent paddling, but the police have continued to ask people to leave sometimes.
If you run into police or other officials who tell you that you can't paddle and/or warn you of fines for paddling,
Please email Stephen Strange with any info you gather.
Stephen Strange contributed:
"I've run this stretch of the Rockaway dozens of times from around 2.3'/120 cfs (very bony), up to 5'/(3000 cfs?). 3' to 4' is best (though there is a good play spot under the stone bridge at lower levels)."
From 2.3'/120cfs(BARE minimum) up to about 3.5'/800 on the gauge the run has a creekier nature
Above 4.5'/1500cfs the water begins to approach a more Gauley like style.
Above ~5.5'/2600cfs the entire run becomes one long, class 5 rapid with a big-water feel to it. (5 feet is the USGS flood stage. With the current local attitude toward paddling in general, it's probably better that people go somewhere else at these levels)
The correlation between the level and cfs has changed a little. In Dec. 2004 the USGS changed the location of the sensor slightly leading to slightly higher "stage" readings related to the volume.
Currently it's about like this:
2.5'-150 cfs
3.0'-400 cfs
3.5'-750 cfs
4.0'-1000 cfs
4.5'-1500 cfs
5.0'-2200 cfs
5.5'-3000cfs
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockaway River above Reservoir at Boonton NJ | ||||||||||||
| usgs-01380500 | 120 - 3000 cfs | IV-V | 00h35m | 129 cfs (rc= 0.0 ) | ||||||||
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| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockaway River [NJ] |
Boonton Falls
|
118 cfs | Mark Zak | |
| Rockaway River [NJ] |
View from the bridge
|
2.48' | Stephen Strange | |
| Rockaway [NJ] |
Boonton Gorge
|
3.0' | Stephen Strange | |
| Rockaway [NJ] |
Printable Map of Boonton Gorge
|
n/a | Stephen Strange | |
| 2y97d11h31m | @Rockaway Below Falls to Rte. 287 [NJ] |
booton falls
|
n/a | n/a |
| 2y98d12h56m | @Rockaway Below Falls to Rte. 287 [NJ] |
bouldergarden section
|
n/a | Stephen Strange |
| 2y98d12h59m | @Rockaway Below Falls to Rte. 287 [NJ] |
Gauge Weir low water
|
n/a | Stephen Strange |
| 2y316d11h48m | RockawayBelow Falls to Rte. 287 [NJ] |
Ledges after Bridge Rapid
|
2.7' | Mike Stawicki |
| 3y61d10h48m | Rockaway River [NJ] |
Runnable?
|
about 5' | Mike Stawicki |
| 3y156d23h48m | @Rockaway Below Falls to Rte. 287 [NJ] |
High Water Fun
|
n/a | Stephen Strange |
| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | Boonton Falls | N/A |      |
| 0.0 | Graffiti Rock | IV+ |  |
| 0.1 | Upper Bridge Rapid | IV | |
| 0.1 | Lower Bridge Rapid | III+ |  |
| 0.3 | Below the Big Pool | IV | |
| 0.4 | Boulder Garden Finish | IV | |
| 0.5 | RR Bridge to Weir | II+ | |
| 0.7 | Gauging Station Weir | II+ |  |
| 0.8 | Below Rt. 287 | IV |
Boonton Falls
It's about 25-30 feet including the bouncy lead-in ledges. It has been run, so I guess it is "runnable", but it is in the Class 5.3-5.4 range. The falls fall into a bowl about 30 feet in diameter and the entire river left side of the curtain lands on a ledge about 1-3 foot below the surface.
Considering the local attitude about paddling the class IV section below the falls, attempts at the falls would be frowned upon by the local authorities. A run which was witnessed by locals would likely result in some sort of visit to the police station.
40644.jpeg
The slot/drop known as "Graffiti Rock" is the toughest (other than the falls). Graffiti Rock itself forms a natural dam which extends out from river left about 2/3 of the way across the river. It's down stream face is sloped at about 35-40 deg. Its upstream face is vertical (not undercut). The bedrock ends in a ledge with a vertical downstream face. The two vertical faces of the ledges are about 1 foot apart (parallel to each other) (see cross-section illustration) and the "slot" between them empties into the main flow "chute" to river right. (see attached image of rapid from above). The slot between Graffiti Rock and the upstream ledge fills in completely at levels higher than about 2.9' and you'd never even know it was there. Between Graffiti Rock and the right bank there is a rock/rockpile. A small amount of water goes over there (more at higher flows) and it would not be a good place to be (slightly undercut, manky). However, it's at the end of right turn the river is making. It also has a number of rocks above the drop preventing someone from getting there. At higher flows (> 4') a paddler _might_ be able to get over there, but at higher flows the water is pushing even harder to the left leading up to the drop. All in all, it looks unpleasant, but the right side of the river at Graffiti Rock isn't really "in play".
High Water Fun @4.5'
The rapid which follows Graffiti Rock and ends at the base of the bridge is fairly straight forward. Some have questioned whether "Hotdog Rock" on river left at the end of the rapid is a sieve or under cut. It is not. It does form a pretty good hole however at medium to high levels (3.0-3.8'?). At even higher levels it washes out. At very low levels (2.3-2.6') you can get low angle cartwheels (to surfer's left) at the edge of the hole. Scouting is perfect from the bridge.
Ledges after Bridge Rapid
The rapid which directly follows the stone bridge and ends in the "Big Pool" consists of four ledges, each about 1-2 feet tall. The river narrows at each ledge until it is about 8 feet wide between two rocks at the last chute into the pool. At lower levels (2.6-3.5?) a paddler can eddy above the rapid to boat scout. (Above 3.5' or so this rapid and the previous one merge). At levels below 3.0' one can also eddy below the first and second ledge in the rapid. All four ledges are run easiest straight down the center. Reaction waves come off of either side as you go and have to be dealt with. At high levels this is a big wave train. Scouting is easiest from above or river level on river left.
Rockaway Ledges
Immediately below "The Big Pool" there is another well defined rapid which begins a stretch of continuous boulder garden rapids (Class II-III at 2.6-3.0', Class III-IV at 3.0-3.6', Class IV until you get to 4.5' then Class 5-ish) that keeps up until just above the railroad bridge.
The initial drop consists of a 10-15 yd lead-in (class II) which leads you to a 2-3' ledge. The main flow is on river right (though a left line develops at about 4'?) and consists of a vertical drop into a fairly deep and fluffy hole. The ledge is curved with the center upstream and the left and right sides downstream. Generally I have boofed off of the rock on the right side of the main chute. Running straight down the center or left side of the main chute will give you a good meltdown. This Hole is at it's worst from about 3.0-4.5'. If I remember correctly, that's when it begins to become less "steep". About 15 feet downstream of the first drop there is a very small ledge (6"?) which creates a stickier than you'd think hole at 2.6-3.5' or so. Scouting this drop is easy from river left.
The next 50 yds consist of the continuous Class II-III boulder garden rapids mentioned before. These lead to a more defined "finish" rapid.
bouldergarden section
The 50 yds? of continuous boulder garden rapids leads into a more defined drop which ends above the firing range take-out. (about 30yds above the railroad bridge).
This drop begins with a midstream boulder about 6 feet in diameter. Either side can be run. This boulder sits at the top of a 10 yd? long drop in which the river constricts to about 1/3 of its width and drops about 5 feet. The river bed here is large rounded rocks not solid ledges.
Either side of the start rock can be run. The left side sends you straight down the main chute in one shot. Coming from above, it's easier to head for the right side of the rock. Passing on this side, one can head back left to run straight through, or head towards the right bank where there is a good eddy which allows a good boat scout. From the eddy you have to ferry out into the main current and head towards river left into the main flow.
10-15 feet below the finish of this drop is another midstream boulder about 10-12 feet in diameter. Left side is easiest (it's where the river pushes you) but either side is clear. I've never encountered wood here, but I would imagine it's a possibility.
After this drop class II boulder garden rapids continue to the railroad bridge.
From the railroad bridge to the gauging station weir the river widens and consists of class II rock garden rapids.
Gauge Weir low water
There is an eddy with a gravel beach above the gauging station weir on river right and this is the side to take out on to carry or scout. At lower levels (<3.0') there is a small last ditch eddy behind a midstream rock about 10 feet above the weir. There is also a small eddy on river left, but at higher levels the ferry back across to river right could be an issue. Of course at high levels, you can actually run down the extreme left to avoid the hole.
The gauging station weir is a low head dam situation, but not a terribly bad one. At low levels it is at it's most vertical, but is less powerful due to the lower volume. From about 2.7-3.5' it is probably most hazardous. I have run it at these levels, but running it without enough speed, or with the wrong boat alignment would probably put you into the hole. The main outwash is in the center of the dam due to rocks below it on either side. That is also the spot where the boil line is furthest from the face. As the water level rises, the weir eventually becomes a breaking wave at around 5'/2200cfs'?
The section from Rt. 287 to the Reservoir is fairly continuous and consists mostly of rapids formed by the large rocks dumped into the riverbed during the building of Rt. 287.
The gauge really needs to be above 3' to run this section cleanly. Above 4' is a better level.
When it's high (> 4.5') it's a fun flush with continuous class IV+ water and lots of waves/holes. Just don't flip.
When you're done, DON'T paddle onto the Reservoir or climb up the bank to the neighborhood above. Hike back up the path on river left, ferry across and hike back to you r car under 287 on river right. Popping up into that neighborhood with your boat will only cause more problems for you and the rest of us. Paddling onto the Res will likely get you a ticket (if you're lucky).
reach
state
reachlink
Below Falls to Rte. 287, Rockaway New Jersey, US (mobile)
User Comments
rest is flat water.one rapid at the top and one about half way through. This was all after Irene.
We did not paddle below the firing range as it looked like it had way too many strainers to
continue that far.
river, there are NO ordinances in the Boonton Municipal Code relating to paddling, boating,
kayaking, canoeing, etc. on the Rockaway through Boonton (Nov. 2010). If you stop before the
Reservoir, and carry back up on River Left, Ferry across, carry under 287 on River right, and get
into your car at the gauging station, you should be good to go. I've been checking the agenda for
the Boonton Town Council Meetings every month since 2007 to keep an eye out for attempts at
legislation prohibiting boating. AW people have spoken to the town council regarding the economic
benefits of paddlers and many other subjects, but, as Thomas Jefferson said "It is impossible to
reason someone out of a belief that they have not reasoned themselves into". Meanwhile we simply
have to be vigilant, and polite.
officer that the run is technically off limits to ALL boaters after my trip. He did not ticket me
though so perhaps the legislation is still not in place at this date. As for the take out I opted
to stash my boat on river right next to the interstate because I was walking the shuttle. This does
have the disadvantage of driving down past the I-80 interchange all the way to Whippany before you
can head back north to your boat. I also noticed another police officer who had stopped just
looking at the boat trying to figure out what to do (I had locked the boat next to a tree). He was
gone by the time I swung back north on the interstate thankfully. Watch out for a low head dam
where the water gauge is, just before you leave Boonton and cross over beneath the interstate
bridges. You can scout this rapid before the run by driving onto the southbound interstate ramp and
making a small right turn just before committing yourself to heavy traffic. The dam is shallow
enough that the hydraulic is not as grabby as it looks, but be sure to know where it is before
running the creek as you will need to get a good head of steam to punch it when running. Perhaps
the AWA and other entities can attend a Boonton town meeting and explain to them they should be
ENCOURAGING whitewater boaters only to run this stream. The town is not in the best of shape
economically and any additional revenue they would be a desired shot in the arm. There is a nice
diner and pub in the middle section of town, perhaps someone could renovate one of the older
residential buildings into a B&B. The Rockaway River is the closest expert whitewater to the
Western Hemisphere's wealthiest city (NYC) so the town is missing out on an economic opportunity
here! Edit
the pool after the falls). If you paddle this stretch of river now please be very careful, any
mishaps would be very unappreciated by the paddling community due to the town's current heigtened
concern and attention directed at boating in the river.
run. It would be very upsetting to lose this convenient and fun stretch of river which runs very
frequently throughout the year. If you have ever paddled this reach or think that you might like to
someday, please write to: Mayor Cyril Wekilsky, Boonton Town Hall, 100 Washington St., Boonton, NJ,
07005 Let the town council that paddlers safely use this resource frequently with no problems and
that we want to maintain that right.
National Weather Service flood stage for this gage is 5 feet. Effective Dec. 17, 2004 the stage
sensor has been replaced and relocated resulting in recorded stages about 0.5 feet higher than
before.<br>
<br>
I guess they noticed that the gauge was reading low as well. Now the min/max levels above should be
accurate again.
online gauge now reads about 0.35' low compared to the staff gauge. The staff gauge still
correlates to the levels shown here. It seems that the online gauge is the one which has changed.