Class 3-4+

Current Level

TRIP DESCRIPTION: The Rockaway now plunges through the rugged Boonton Gorge. This has been traditionally considered the premier whitewater run in New jersey, and it is not for every- body. Actually, in the eyes of the authorities, it is not for anybody. For the take-out is on Jerseys City's water supply reservoir, and its managers have zero tolerance for floating trespassers. The put-in is at a town park that is posted with signs demanding a use permit for nonresidents. So bring your passport, for if you paddle Boonton Gorge, you will have left the United States of America, "Land of the Free."


The put-in is not really at West Main Street. You first want to portage down the nice foot trail on the right at least a hundred yards to bypass an eight-foot dam followed by a beautiful but lethal waterfalls. You will probably also want to carry the drop below the falls and another drop beneath the arch bridge. If so, end your carry on river left just below that bridge.
What follows is an almost continuous series of rapids formed by boulders and jagged bedrock. The rock is black and sinister-looking. The surrounding gorge is initially attractive, though the demanding whitewater gives you little opportunity to appreciate that. The creek plunges over a sharp gauging station weir at Morris Avenue, passes under 1-287, and then heads south, parallel to the freeway. Here starts a particularly long and powerful rapid, a grand finale. This slows in the backwater of the reservoir, leaving you with a third of a mile paddle to Rte. 202, a steep climb, and probable meeting with the security guard.
HAZARDS: The whole run demands respect. Scout the weir at the gauging station before attempting, as it has a powerful reversal.
WATER CONDITIONS: Most often up between November and early May within 10 days of hard rain.

GAUGE: Use the USGS gauge in Boonton (visit or call Philadelphia). To reach the gauge, turn off of Main Street at the east end of downtown Boonton onto the southbound ramp to 1-287. In a few yards, a one-way street (which leads to Morris Avenue) branches off to the right and under the railroad. The gauge is on your right, beneath the bridge. A level of 2.6 feet is about bare minimum.