Rivers in New Jersey
Passaic River at Chatham
Below flood stage
3.73ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 1:15 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 6.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 3.70 ftTue, Sep 22, 2:00 AM EDT
- Record crest
- 9.36 ft1973
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 10.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 8.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 6.00 ft |
| Action | 5.50 ft |
- 11.00 ftFlooding begins between University Avenue and Route 24, north of Main Street.
- 10.00 ftCharwood and Brook Roads begin to flood. Passaic Street begins to flood near the intersection of Osborne Avenue. Edward Court begins to flood.
- 9.00 ftBusiness parking lots between Chatham Road and the Passaic River flood.
- 8.00 ftBusinesses along John F. Kennedy Parkway, west of the Morris Turnpike, begin to flood.
- 6.50 ftThe Central and Bridge Avenue bridges in Chatham Township are subject to closures. Edgewood Road is closed.
- 6.00 ftPortions of the Shepard Kolluck Park in Chatham floods. River Road by Henry Drive is subject to closures.
- 5.50 ftOpen areas adjacent to the Passaic River flood in New Providence, Chatham Township, and Berkley Heights.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 14% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.
Crest history
32 crests on NOAA’s list since 1905.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 2, 1973 | 9.36 ft |
| 2 | September 2, 2021 | 8.41 ft |
| 3 | January 9, 1905 | 8.30 ft |
| 4 | August 28, 1971 | 8.16 ft |
| 5 | September 27, 1975 | 8.14 ft |
| 6 | March 18, 1907 | 8.00 ft |
| 7 | September 26, 1975 | 7.97 ft |
| 8 | March 15, 2010 | 7.91 ft |
| 9 | May 29, 1968 | 7.90 ft |
| 10 | August 29, 2011 | 7.76 ft |
| 11 | September 17, 1999 | 7.60 ft |
| 12 | October 21, 1996 | 7.49 ft |
| 13 | April 17, 2007 | 7.45 ft |
| 14 | August 16, 1942 | 7.32 ft |
| 15 | July 14, 2025 | 7.27 ft |
| 16 | April 6, 1984 | 7.26 ft |
| 17 | January 30, 1994 | 7.02 ft |
| 18 | June 5, 1992 | 6.87 ft |
| 19 | December 18, 2023 | 6.85 ft |
| 20 | May 1, 2014 | 6.46 ft |
| 21 | January 13, 2024 | 6.43 ft |
| 22 | March 11, 2011 | 6.41 ft |
| 23 | April 17, 2011 | 6.38 ft |
| 24 | January 19, 1996 | 6.38 ft |
| 25 | March 30, 2010 | 6.34 ft |
Most recent crests
- July 14, 2025: 7.27 ft
- May 14, 2025: 6.10 ft
- January 13, 2024: 6.43 ft
- December 18, 2023: 6.85 ft
- September 2, 2021: 8.41 ft
- May 1, 2014: 6.46 ft
- September 9, 2011: 6.25 ft
- August 29, 2011: 7.76 ft
- April 17, 2011: 6.38 ft
- March 11, 2011: 6.41 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round.
Sources
Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.