Kayak Love

New Jersey · river

South Branch Metedeconk River near Lakewood

Live conditions for this USGS-monitored stretch of water, updated every 15 minutes.

84of 100

Good

Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Photograph taken near South Branch Metedeconk River near Lakewood
Nearby on Wikimedia Commons — Aerial view of ShoreTown Ballpark in Lakewood Township, New Jersey.jpg by Jeffrey Hayes, Public domain. Taken within 10km of this location — it may not show the launch itself.

Wind

7 mph

gusting to 22 mph

Air temp

70°F

48% chance of rain

River flow

56 cfs

normal for this date

Best day to paddle this week

Saturday · 98

  • Today

    79

  • Mon

    78

  • Tue

    90

  • Wed

    86

  • Thu

    74

  • Fri

    87

  • Sat

    98

    Best

Scored from each day's peak forecast wind, heat, and rain chance — river flow isn't forecastable, so check back before you load the boat.

Wind, next 12 hours

mph
Hourly wind forecast
HourWind (mph)Gusts (mph)
10p722
11p522
12a422
1a624
2a824
3a523
4a418
5a312
6a113
7a312
8a37
9a511

Is this flow normal for August 17?

Today's 56 cfs is 23% below the median for this date — which counts as normal water here.

The median flow on this date is 73 cfs, across 6 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind7 mph — calm, ideal for any boat±0
  • GustsGusting to 22 mph — 15 mph over sustained-9
  • Rain48% chance in the next 6 hours-7

We don't have launch notes for this one

This page is built from the USGS gauge at this location, so the flow and weather are real — but we haven't verified where to put in, what the hazards are, or whether this stretch is legal or sensible to paddle. We'd rather say that than invent it. The links below are where to find out.

We also don't have a verified safe-flow range here, so the Paddle Score reflects weather only. Judge the flow number against local knowledge, not against our score.

Do your own homework

We show you live conditions. For local knowledge — where to put in, what the hazards are, whether it's worth the drive — here's where paddlers actually talk about this water. We don't vet these sources; check the dates and judge for yourself.

Nearby water

All paddling spots in New Jersey