One of the steeper runs in NJ, Clove Br. is a
tributary of Papakating Cr. It drops around 240' in about 1.5 miles, with 60'
of it occurring right after the creek goes under Rt. 23 for the first time.
As far as I know, the first descents were by Adam Hubbard
in the late 80's or early 90's and I seem to remember him telling me that he
did it in a 15' Grumman canoe. I would rate it a IV+ to V depending on water
level.
This run is nearly all ledges, ranging from a
few inches up to about 20'. Many of these create some very symmetrical
river-wide holes at certain levels. The highlight of the run is the big slide
(about 20') into a giant punchbowl, followed by a 6-8' drop (just downstream
of Rt. 23). With extra water, it has very few eddies in some sections, it's
very fast with lots of ledges and it tends to pick up wood. A few years ago
(1998) it was clear because some local boaters worked hard to keep it that
way during the summer. I haven't been back there since 2000, so stay alert.
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can get under. Then just downstream of that there is another tree blocking the whole river, sits
about 5 inches above the river surface at 6in below the footing water level. There is also one more
just before the last big drop right after the Rt. 23 bridge; can be avoided if you run river center
then cut over to river right to complete the drop. I plan on getting up there in the spring to cut
it all out. Even with this wood the river can still be run with little to no problems. This video
of me on 12/28/11 Shows all Major drops; Water level 6 inches below footing on first bridge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9cjRCUTL2U Edit