One of the steeper runs in NJ, Clove Br. is a tributary of Papakating Cr. It drops around 240' in about 1.5 miles, with 60' of it occurring right after the creek goes under Rt. 23 for the first time.
As far as I know, the first descents were by Adam Hubbard in the late 80's or early 90's and I seem to remember him telling me that he did it in a 15' Grumman canoe. I would rate it a IV+ to V depending on water level.
This run is nearly all ledges, ranging from a few inches up to about 20'. Many of these create some very symmetrical river-wide holes at certain levels. The highlight of the run is the big slide (about 20') into a giant punchbowl, followed by a 6-8' drop (just downstream of Rt. 23). With extra water, it has very few eddies in some sections, it's very fast with lots of ledges and it tends to pick up wood. A few years ago (1998) it was clear because some local boaters worked hard to keep it that way during the summer. I haven't been back there since 2000, so stay alert.
Link to gauge on Papakating Cr. at Pelletown
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Middle Atlantic River Forcast Center's
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Middle Atlantic River Forcast Center's
Q uantitative P recipitation F orcast.(The following 24 hrs)
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