Raritan River at Bound Brook
New Jersey · Flood watch
Measured at USGS 01403060 — Raritan River below Calco Dam at Bound Brook NJ · NWS forecast point BDKN4
Reading taken Jul 28, 11:15 PM UTC
Below normal for the date
At 300 CFS, this gauge is running 79% of normal for late July — below the 380 CFS median USGS has recorded for this date across 86 years of record (1903–2026).
Data-derived guidance from USGS and NWS published values — not official advice, and not a safety assessment.
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Flood stages at Bound Brook
Official National Weather Service categories for gauge BDKN4, issued by WFO PHI. Impact statements are the NWS's own wording for this location, reproduced verbatim.
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Major flood 33.0 ft
- 33.0 ft A large portion of Bound Brook is protected by the flood reduction project. Pump station operations become critical, at this stage, for the continued protection of the borough.
-
Moderate flood 30.0 ft
- 30.0 ft Main Street is protected by flap valves/sluice gates. This level triggers the gate closures to protect Main Street.
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Minor flood 28.0 ft
- 28.0 ft Backyard and low areas are protected by levees and the flood wall. Without the levees or if there is a breach in the levees, minor flooding will occur.
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Action 26.0 ft · 13,100 CFS
- Right now 17.04 ft
NWS forecast: 19.90 ft by Jul 29, 6:00 PM UTC.
12 months of flow at Bound Brook
Daily values from USGS gauge 01403060. Provisional data, subject to revision.
Highest crests on record at Bound Brook
| Stage | Flow | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 42.13 ft | 75,471 CFS | Sep 2, 2021 |
| 42.13 ft | 82,900 CFS | Sep 17, 1999 |
| 41.90 ft | 80,700 CFS | Aug 28, 2011 |
| 38.38 ft | 56,900 CFS | Apr 16, 2007 |
| 37.47 ft | 46,100 CFS | Aug 28, 1971 |
| 36.04 ft | — | Mar 14, 2010 |
| 35.58 ft | 40,100 CFS | Oct 20, 1996 |
| 34.65 ft | 38,800 CFS | May 1, 2014 |
| 33.72 ft | 35,120 CFS | Dec 19, 2023 |
| 33.70 ft | 35,120 CFS | Jan 10, 2024 |
Historical crests published by the National Weather Service for this gauge.
About Raritan River at Bound Brook
This is the reference gauge for Raritan River at Bound Brook, New Jersey. It is the reading local emergency managers, the National Weather Service and residents watch when the river comes up.
Floyd and Ida devastated these towns.
Raw CFS means little on its own, so every reading on this page is shown against the USGS median for the same calendar day — 380 CFS for late July, from 86 years of record.
Because the National Weather Service also operates a forecast point here, the page carries the official flood-category ladder and the NWS's own stage-by-stage impact statements.
Raritan River at Bound Brook — common questions
What is the current flow on Raritan River at Bound Brook?
As of the last reading on this page, Raritan River at Bound Brook was running 300 CFS at a gage height of 17.04 ft, or 79% of the USGS median for this date. The number updates automatically from USGS gauge 01403060, which reports every 15 to 60 minutes.
Is that high or low for this time of year?
The USGS median flow for late July at this gauge is 380 CFS, calculated from 86 years of record (1903–2026). Comparing today's reading against that median is the only way a raw CFS number tells you anything — 200 CFS is a drought on one river and a flood on another.
How often does this reading update?
USGS transmits from this gauge every 15 to 60 minutes. This page bakes in the most recent reading when it is rebuilt, then refreshes live from USGS when you open it. Readings are provisional and subject to revision by USGS.
What is flood stage at Bound Brook?
The National Weather Service sets minor flood stage at this gauge at 28.0 ft, moderate at 30.0 ft, and major at 33.0 ft. Action stage — the level at which agencies begin preparing — is 26.0 ft. The ladder on this page shows each threshold against the current reading.
What happens at each flood stage here?
The National Weather Service publishes 3 stage-by-stage impact statements for this gauge, describing what specific roads, properties and structures are affected at each level. They are reproduced verbatim on this page, lowest to highest. They are NWS descriptions, not riverlvl's.
Is there a forecast for this gauge?
Yes. This is an NWS forecast point, so the chart shows the observed hydrograph running into the official National Weather Service forecast. Forecasts are issued by the local Weather Forecast Office (PHI) and updated through the day during high water.