Below Falls to Rte. 287 (Boonton Gorge)Class IV-V
0.7 Miles
Avg Gradient 140 fpm
Max Gradient 140 fpm
Boonton Gorge
Boonton Gorge Photo of Michael Strange by Stephen Strange taken Nov. 96 @ 3.0' Gauge Information
Rockaway
River DescriptionBoonton Gorge of the Rockaway River is one of the best intermediate/advanced whitewater runs in NJ. It's short, but you get a lot of bang for your buck. It's very convenient, runs A LOT, and tends not to pick up too much wood. The upper section is enclosed within public land (which is usually a good thing) and there is a gauge on the whitewater section. With all of the black basalt and birch trees, the upper section of this river is pretty in the fall. You can park at the police firing range (just an empty lot with a hill at one end), carry about 120 yds up, paddle about 400 yds of river, and carry about 40 yds up to your car.
Most people paddle the upper section of the run (from Boonton Falls to the "firing range"), then they carry up and do it again.
The section from the firing range to the gauge is shallow and wide. At low to medium levels it is bony class 2 water. When the water get's higher it is a flat flush up to the gauging station weir.
DO NOT PADDLE ON THE RESERVOIR! If you do you will most likely be arrested. 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 prevent paddling on the Rockaway River through Boonton Gorge. As of May 2007, a number of paddlers had attempted to persuade the Town Council of Boonton to abandon plans to create an ordinance which would, for the first time, make paddling Boonton Gorge of the Rockaway River illegal. The License and Ordinance Committee of the council has not been convinced and has made it clear that they will continue to work on drafting such an ordinance. The KCCNY and others continue to work on ways to change the minds of the aldermen. If you have any interest in helping with these efforts: questions about running the gorge, information regarding runs you've done on it, photos or especially video of people paddling it, time to attend a town meeting and speak or to write a letter, or any other ideas, please contact Dave King at KCCNY or Stephen Strange at icreeknj@allowaystranges.us It would be great to have a long list of people who have paddled it (and the dates and levels if possible) We are also planning on putting together a short video of people paddling the run to show how reasonable it is. If you have any photos or video PLEASE contact Dave King or Stephen Strange. StreamTeam Status: verified
Last Updated: 2008-04-06 20:48:09
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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 over the years.
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
Rockaway R. above res. [ NJ ] |
Current Conditions
Station Graphs |
| Level Legend: | Running | Below Minimum Recommended Flow | Above Maximum Recommended Flow | Unknown |
| State | River Name/Section | Class | Level | Rel. Level | Updated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NJ | Rockaway— Below Falls to Rte. 287 | IV-V | 129 cfs | med | 7/25 13:15 |
| AW Gauge ID: | 252 |
| USGS Station: | 01380500 |
| HUC: | 02030103 |
| Latitude: | 40.9028 |
| Longitude: | -74.4100 |
| Class: | 6 |
No guide books for this stream. If you know of a book that describes this stream please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. User Comments |
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2008-02-11 02:41:58 (165 days ago)
Mark Zak
To the guy who lost the paddle, can you give me a very detailed description of where it was lost, I work in Boonton and will go hunt it down for you. I know where the parking lot is labeled "Fisherman parking", I assume you lost it well downstream, maybe a few hundred feet above the railroad bridge. Did your group take out at the gauge station or did you walk back up the car. The level is dropping and I can certainly walk down from the Fisherman's parking lot or walk up from the gauge station and take a look. How far did you see it float downstream, did it disappear underwater, etc. Thanks, call my cell if you need, 5514270974 or email me at mark@njhighlandscoalition.org
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2008-02-10 07:14:11 (166 days ago)
A friend and I hit the gorge today. Level was 2.8 at the gauge....no strainers except for a plank of wood sticking out of the first drop after the big pool. It wasn't in the way this time but could easily shift. In the last stretch of boulder garden before the shooting range things got a little sloppy and both my friend and I ended up taking a swim...No injuries but I lost my paddle....IF ANYONE COMES ACROSS A WHITE AT4 PADDLE CAN YOU PLEASE CALL ME 2013151014...its probably in the reservoir by now, or atleast past the guaging station (although a random blizzard like storm prevented me from doing too much searching)...It was only my second time using it and Im bummed to have lost it on whats probably the easiest drop of the gorge Edit
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2008-02-07 01:49:04 (169 days ago)
Mark Zak
Anybody want to try a first descent of the falls? I think its runnable at the 400-600 cfs range. I think 3-4 people setting safety in the bowl would be necessary. Email me...mrz2@lehigh.edu
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2008-02-07 01:27:58 (169 days ago)
Mark Zak
Anybody interested in a first descent of the falls. I've scouted it numerous times and looks runnable in the 400-500 cfs range, maybe even a bit higher. It looks no harder than Magilla on the Bottom Moose. With the small bowl outlet after the falls, I think a safety of 3-4 people should suffice. Drop me an email...mrz2@lehigh.edu
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2007-01-29 01:00:32 (543 days ago)
Stephen Strange
I was just told that there is a strainer in "Graffiti Rock" Rapid (the narrow drop which follows 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.
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2007-01-17 11:59:02 (555 days ago)
Stephen Strange
The town council of Boonton is trying to draft an ordinance to prohibit paddling access to this 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.
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2005-11-19 01:40:12 (979 days ago)
Stephen Strange
This note is posted on the USGS page for this run now. <br />
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.
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2004-10-04 00:37:14 (1390 days ago)
Stephen Strange
I paddled this in June 2003 and Oct 2004. The staff gauge and the online gauge no longer match. The 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.
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| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | Boonton Falls |     | |
| 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 |
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.
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".
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.
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.
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 an 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 on the 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.
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.
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).
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