Passaic River

Last Updated: April 19, 2026

Total streamflow across the Passaic River was last observed at 496 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 984 acre-ft of water today; about 17% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 2,914 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2011-08-30 when daily discharge volume was observed at 32,060 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Passaic River At Pine Brook Nj reporting a streamflow rate of 228 cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Passaic River, with a gauge stage of 12.55 ft at this location. This river is monitored from 4 different streamgauging stations along the Passaic River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 232 ft, the Passaic River Near Millington Nj.

Get the latest River Levels, Streamflow, and Hydrology for Passaic River in River flows across 4 streamgages of the Passaic River


15-Day Long Term Forecast


River Details

Last Updated 2026-04-19
Discharge Volume 984 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 496.3 cfs
Past 24 Hours: -54.8 cfs (-9.94%)
Percent of Normal 17.03%
Maximum 32,060.0 cfs
2011-08-30
Seasonal Avg 2,914 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
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Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Passaic River Near Millington Nj
USGS 01379000 		23 cfs 4.65 ft -9.02
Passaic River Near Chatham Nj
USGS 01379500 		60 cfs 3.52 ft -2.44
Passaic River At Pine Brook Nj
USGS 01381900 		228 cfs 12.55 ft -9.88
Passaic River At Little Falls Nj
USGS 01389500 		185 cfs 0.68 ft -12.32
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
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Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

The Passaic River ( pə-SAY-ik) is a river, approximately 80 mi (129 km) long, in northern New Jersey in the United States. The river in its upper course flows in a highly circuitous route, meandering through the swamp lowlands between the ridge hills of rural and suburban northern New Jersey, called the Great Swamp, draining much of the northern portion of the state through its tributaries. In its lower portion, it flows through the most urbanized and industrialized areas of the state, including along downtown Newark. The lower river suffered from severe pollution and industrial abandonment in the 20th century.
In April 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $1.7 billion plan to remove 4.3 million cubic yards of toxic mud from the bottom of lower eight miles of the river. It is considered one of the most polluted stretches of water in the nation and the project one of the largest clean-ups ever undertaken.