Rahway River River Levels

Last Updated: January 12, 2026

The Rahway River is a 24-mile-long river in New Jersey that flows through Union, Essex, and Middlesex counties.


Summary

Total streamflow across the Rahway River was last observed at 217 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 429 acre-ft of water today; about 123% of normal. River levels are high. Average streamflow for this time of year is 176 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2021-09-02 when daily discharge volume was observed at 6,130 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Rahway River At Rahway Nj reporting a streamflow rate of 170 cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Rahway River, with a gauge stage of 2.25 ft at this location. This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Rahway River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 67 ft, the Rahway River Near Springfield Nj.

River Details

Last Updated 2026-01-11
Discharge Volume 429 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 216.5 cfs
+184.45 cfs (+575.51%)
Percent of Normal 123.01%
Maximum 6,130.0 cfs
2021-09-02
Seasonal Avg 176 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Rahway River Near Springfield Nj
USGS 01394500
47 cfs 1.73 ft 402.7
Rahway River At Rahway Nj
USGS 01395000
170 cfs 2.25 ft 645.61
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

The Rahway River is a river in Essex, Middlesex and Union Counties, New Jersey in the United States. The Rahway, along with the Elizabeth River, Piles Creek, Passaic River, Morses Creek, the Fresh Kills river (in Staten Island) mouths at the Arthur Kill.
Part of the extended area of New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary, draining part of the suburban and urbanized area of New Jersey west of Staten Island, New York, the river is approximately 24 miles (39 km) long. The upper reaches are lined with several parks while the mouth serves as an industrial access channel on the Chemical Coast.
The river was once on the lands of the Lenape Native Americans, and tradition states that the name is after Rahwack, a local tribal chief.The river is the source of drinking water for the City of Rahway. Each spring, the river is stocked with approximately 6,000 trout.The river is also the source of the name for the Rahway Valley Railroad which has a bridge over it on the Springfield/Union border.