Rockaway Creek, NJ
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Mountainville to McCrea Mills (not to be confused with the Rockaway River in Boonton)
Class II-IV
3.5 Miles
Avg Gradient 62 fpm
Max Gradient 100 fpm
Gauge Information
| Min Sug. Level: |
50 cfs |
Max Sug. Level: |
800 cfs |
River Description
Rockaway Creek, near Mountainville |
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. |
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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