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Rockaway Creek, near Mountainville
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Definitely short creek boat country here, this stream is tiny and tight. It takes
a heavy rain to bring it up, and it won't hold water for more than a day. But if
it's running, then there are also other things running within a few minutes
drive. South Branch Raritan (5 min away), Black (15 min away), Lockatong and
Wickecheoke Creeks (40 min away). It's a short run, hit it first, and then go hit
something else.
Watch for strainers! this creek is small. There is a low water bridge 1/3 mile
into run. It will have only 8" clearance (or less) under it when the creek is
running low. Eddy on river right or left above, and carry. Watch for a red wooden
building on river left as a warning. At high water (over 400cfs and rising) this
bridge will probably be under water and will look like a ledge. At this same
water level, some of the other bridges will be very hard to squeeze under as
well. Especially the one downstream of Guinea Hollow Cr. and upstream of
Mountainville
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The onsite gauge is on the River right bridge abutment, upstream side, on Rt. 523
just South of Rt. 78.
It should be at 3.8'
See above for more indications of runnability.
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Put-in.
There are a few options for put-ins. I would now suggest putting in onto Guinea
Hollow Cr. (on river left, just downstream of the bridge) You should be able to get
away with parking along Guinea Hollow Rd.
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All of the land along this run is private (except for the section which runs
behind Sawmill Elementary Sch.) so be discreet when parking, scouting and
accessing the run.
As is generally the rule, try to access where the road is very close to the creek
(a few feet) or where a bridge crosses.
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Take out (if you want to have one last drop) at the broken dam at
McCrea Mill, or (to eliminate the relatively flat last mile) alongside the road on
river left, just upstream of a bridge, about a mile upstream of the dam. Just look
for an unposted gravel spot along the road, close to the water.
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First Descent Alert!! As far as I know, neither Guinea Hollow Cr.
nor the upper section of Rockaway Cr. (from Sawmill Rd. to Mountainville have been
run!
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Mountainville to McCrea Mills, Rockaway Creek New Jersey, US (mobile)