River Navigation

SCRC has a river navigation protocol to ensure safety for its members, assets, and others using the river. Typical navigation is upstream on the New Jersey side and downstream on the Pennsylvania side.

Exercise an abundance of caution when navigating through the Free Bridge and 202 Bridge arches. Click here or keep scrolling to see a depiction of the arches that you should use per the River Navigation map.

Above the 202 Bridge is rocky on the New Jersey side. Depending on the flow, you may or may not see the rocks. In order to exercise the upmost caution, the river navigation north of the 202 Bridge is on the New Jersey side of the middle, not on the New Jersey bank.

In low water, exercise increased caution for low water hazards – especially through the shoals, bridges and at the ramp. The NJ upstream route through the shoals is deeper and the downstream route through the shoals is in the middle of the river. The PA side through the shoals is very very shallow. No boats should be in this area. When launching and landing at the boat ramp, ensure the boat is in deep enough water to protect the skeg and avoid running aground.

Scroll to the bottom of this page or see the google earth map link for a more interactive view of the river.

The river is always changing. New hazards can appear at any time. And, we share the river with other rowers, fishing boats, dragon boats, kayakers, paddle-boarders, and swimmers. If river traffic is heavy and you cannot go through a designated arch or row your “line,” stop rowing and wait until it is safe to proceed. Exercise caution and common sense.

Bridge Routes

Free Bridge

Free Bridge Upstream Arches

Going upstream, the third arch from PA side is the preferred arch for all boat classes. Alternatively, the fourth arch from PA side can be used for 1x, 2x, 2- boats only. Please exercise caution when going up the fourth arch from PA side as it becomes extremely shallow when there is a brown flag warning.

Preferred route:

Alternative route (1x, 2x, 2- ONLY):

Free Bridge Downstream Arches

Going downstream, the second arch from PA side is preferred. If there is a lot of boat traffic, boats can also go down the first arch from PA side, but must watch out for the dock and the shore. There is more clearance in the second arch from PA side.

Preferred route:

Alternative route:

202 Bridge

Going upstream, the fourth arch from PA side is the only acceptable arch. Downstream, the only acceptable arch is the third arch from PA side. The PA side can be extremely shallow especially when there is a brown flag warning.

202 Bridge Upstream Arch

202 Bridge Downstream Arch

Full River Navigation

See below for the full river navigation map. Hover (or click if you are on your phone) over the various landmarks and hazards for more information. The upstream route is yellow and the downstream route is purple. See the google earth map link for a more interactive view of the river.

Submerged rocks. These rocks are why there is an upstream limit of the white dock / totem pole.

Submerged large rocks.

Refrigerator Rock. When you are going upstream through 202, this rock is on the NJ side of the arch / close to the abutment. Large rock.

Rock. Low water hazard (less than 2ft). Big submerged rock. While travelling downstream, wait to go towards NJ until after you pass this rock.

Rocks. Avoid this area. There are a massive amount of rocks.

NJ Shoals. Very shallow. Use caution. Extra caution is required especially when the river is low (<1 FT on the New Hope/Lambertville gauge).

PA Shoals. Very shallow. Use caution. Extra caution is required especially when the river is low (<1 FT on the New Hope/Lambertville gauge).

Massive Tree. Very large tree submerged. About 2 lanes off short in front of the 500m house.

Stay away from this area. This gets even more shallow when there is a brown flag.

Submerged rocks.

Submerged rocks. You may see the top of the massive rocks when the river is lower.