Summary
Total streamflow across the
Passaic River
was last observed at
391
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
776
acre-ft of water today; about 15%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
2,539 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 176 cfs.
This is also the highest stage along the Passaic River, with a gauge stage of
12.1 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.
River Details
| Last Updated | 2025-12-17 |
| Discharge Volume | 776 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
391.3 cfs
-43.5 cfs (-10.0%) |
| Percent of Normal | 15.41% |
| Maximum |
32,060.0 cfs
2011-08-30 |
| Seasonal Avg | 2,539 cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Passaic River Near Millington Nj
USGS 01379000 |
18 cfs | 4.61 ft | -13.24 | |||||
|
Passaic River Near Chatham Nj
USGS 01379500 |
44 cfs | 3.46 ft | -8.02 | |||||
|
Passaic River At Pine Brook Nj
USGS 01381900 |
176 cfs | 12.1 ft | -1.68 | |||||
|
Passaic River At Little Falls Nj
USGS 01389500 |
154 cfs | 0.56 ft | -18.09 |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
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.