Some Ways To Use The Delaware River For Recreation

The Delaware River is one of the major waterways of the Eastern seaboard and runs from its source in the Catskill Mountains to the Delaware Bay. Serving as the border between Pennsylvania and the states of New York, New Jersey and Delaware, the river offers a unique combination of recreational activities for all ages and levels of activity, all of whom enjoy The Delaware River for recreation. For those interested in physically oriented activities the Delaware River offers hiking, biking, canoeing, boating, tubing and camping. Over 100 miles of trails for biking and hiking offer beautiful vistas, photo opportunities and historic landmarks. Visitors to the river can combine their activities with camping and fishing, or even enjoy a stay in one of the many bed and breakfast accommodations or a local inn. For those who want a little slower pace, the river basin provides a wide range of areas to bird watch, picnic and relax. The region is home to a large number of peregrine falcons and bald eagles, as well as smaller species. Occasionally, game such as deer, foxes, raccoons, coyotes, turkeys and squirrels can be seen on the well-maintained trails that run on both sides of the river. In the more remote areas along the river, black bear are still active and campers should take the necessary precautions to remain safe.  On the eastern side of the river paths that once served a tow paths for the merchant boats plying the canals are now well-maintained paths for the many hikers, bikers and joggers. The best time for boating and canoeing is during the high crest of the river which occurs in March and April. The river peaks with the crystal clear waters of the snow melt in the Catskills. Numerous outfitters and guide services offer a wide selection [...]

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How To Explore The Delaware River

A great way to experience the Delaware River is by canoe. In fact, there is no better way to experience the river than by canoe. The recommendation is to go when the river is at its highest crest. This is usually late March or early April, depending on the amount of mountain snow run-off. Needless to say, this year changes that rule. Not much in the way of winter precipitation this year. Know the Starting Point to better Explore The Delaware River Calicoon is a good place to start. A two person canoe trip is a great way to experience the river. For most of the distance between Calicoon and Skinner’s Falls, you’ll enjoy a great ride as well as experience some breathtaking scenery. Be prepared to know exactly where Skinner’s Falls is located and make sure to stop just ahead of where the rapids begin. This time will allow you to stow your gear, so as not to lose it. At this point it would be wise to tighten up the lifejacket. And now off to the ride of one’s life. Before actually beginning this stretch of the river it would be advisable for both participants to move back one compartment in the canoe and be in a kneeling position when utilizing the paddles. This, sometimes, keeps the canoe from capsizing. The best way to keep from capsizing is never stop paddling. Yes, indeed, you are going to get wet. It is also a great experience. In fact, one might consider physically carrying the canoe back to the top of the falls and doing it all over again. In fact, maybe several times. This part of the river is the most exciting part of all. Explore The Delaware River While Enjoying the Scenery Beginning the next stage of the [...]

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Why is The Delaware River Important?

The Delaware River runs through parts of Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. It provides most or the entire border between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Delaware, and is part of the New York/Pennsylvania border. Not only did it play a significant role in the American Revolution, it is an irreplaceable source of water for more than 5 percent of the population and one of the most significant commercial waterways on the east coast. The Delaware River plays an incredibly significant role in the birth of the United States. Starting on Christmas Eve of 1776, General George Washington led three crossings of the Delaware. After a few victories, the revolution itself was in a crisis. Washington and his troops were forced out of New York City, and many, including the Second Continental Congress, had fled Philadelphia fearful that it would be captured. The troops were poorly supplied and starving, without needed cold weather clothes. Washington would also lose many of his troops at the beginning of the New Year as enlistments were for only one year. Washington led a daring raid from the Pennsylvanian shore and on to Trenton on Christmas night, attacking while the enemy was drunk after celebrations. They left at approximately 6pm, fighting ice floes and later snow and sleet before finally arriving on the New Jersey shore at around 3am. After landing on the eastern bank Washington’s troops marched to Trenton. The Hessians had been ordered to build defenses around Trenton, but failed to follow those orders. Even worse for the Hessians, Commander Rahl ignored a message delivered earlier in the evening warning of the crossing and imminent attack by Revolutionary soldiers. The Americans had only two injured, one being Lieutenant – and future president – James Monroe while the Hessians suffered 20 killed, 100 wounded [...]

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How Hurricane Irene Effected the Delaware River Regions

2011 was the year of natural disasters; earthquakes shook Japan, tornadoes laid waste in Oklahoma and Alabama, and hurricane Irene hit the Delaware River regions leaving millions of people without power.  In the United States, after flooding and power outages in the Delaware River regions as a result of hurricane Irene, congress is again set to the task of deciding how to better prepare for natural disasters.  Hurricane Irene raises questions about how to pay for dam maintenance and repairs, building on flood plains, how to keep people informed and prepared when they live on a flood plain, regulating insurance companies that don’t offer flood insurance and preparing people for mass power outages when natural disasters strike.  Every natural disaster brings change in how people prepare and cope with natural disasters, but where does the U.S find the funds during these economic hard times? What happened during the hurricane Irene? After the Delaware River regions were hit by hurricane Irene, many homes and businesses were threatened or flooded by flooding from the Delaware River and its tributaries. Many dams failed while some private homeowners were left with the task of being dam keepers in areas that the government doesn’t maintain the dams.  It raises the question of whether home owners associations are capable of maintaining and repairing dams before a natural disaster.  New laws could enforce home owner associations to maintain and repair dams before a natural disaster when neglect is evident for these dams. Yet, the U.S has to find the funds to maintain and repair the dams under government care.  Requiring private owners and home owners associations to make reforms is a start in making better preparations for another hurricane like hurricane Irene, but better requirements and safe guards on government controlled dams still has to be achieved.  [...]

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What Famous People in History Knew the Delaware River?

The story of the Delaware River is as old as America itself. It was famous explorer Henry Hudson who first recorded and mapped the river during his 1609 voyage on behalf of the Dutch. The river and surrounding area eventually became part of the Nieuw-Nederland Colonie or New Netherlands Colony, an area that included the territory of modern New York, New Jersey, and Delaware. Dutch colonists soon began to settle on the river’s banks which at that time was known as the Zuyd Rivier or South River In 1664, New Netherlands was conquered by the English in the third Anglo-Dutch War. The English renamed the river after Thomas West, Baron De La Warr, an English colonist and governor. Over time this came to be known as simply Delaware, the name the river bares to this day. Under English administration, colonization along the river increased and villages and towns popped up on its banks. The river served as an important travel route for these earlier colonists to travel between settlements and trade with local Indian tribes. One of the colonists to settle along the Delaware River at this time was William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania. He plotted and built a city along the river he thought would make a central location and an ideal port. He was right; his city of Philadelphia on the Delaware River became the largest port in the colonies by the mid 18th century. This made the city and the river one of the most significant areas of the time. It was in the busy city of Philadelphia that Benjamin Franklin lived and worked and it became a center for revolutionary thought and activity. The city’s central location and size made it a natural choice to hold early Continental Congresses. These congresses hosted all the most [...]

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My Father and The Delaware River

I hadn’t thought of my childhood for a long time, not until I saw that abandoned gas station that spurred memories into my brain with such clarity. I drove by the gas station on my way to New York from Maine. There were two pumpless gas islands, a small service only building, a one bay garage, and shrubs growing everywhere. I don’t know what company the gas station used to be, but it didn’t matter. The grocery bag blowing across the lot was like me: a ghost floating through memories of a dream. My father had owned a gas station much like it. We lived in the one bedroom apartment upstairs. My mom had died. My dad was now dead, too, but at the time he had been very much alive. He said I was what kept him that way, what kept that sparkle in his eye, what kept life in his life. Unlike many fathers I hear about, he showed it too. Though I grew up in town, we spent every free moment a few miles away in a small cabin by the Delaware River. Mostly, we fished, but really, we did much more than that. I grew up, while he sat back and enjoyed every minute of being a father. One day, we fished near a dam. The dam was in a stream that ran off the River, and created a large pool about 500 yards across. Past the dam was a small waterfall that created another, smaller pool. I liked to fish at the top. I don’t know what it is about still water, but I prefer it to running, turbulent water. I fished at the top, before the dam. My dad always started there with me, but would often make his way to the bottom of [...]

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How is the Delaware River Used by Different People?

The Delaware River is a scenic waterway that forms the boundary between New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It also serves as part of the border between the states of New York and Pennsylvania. Opportunity for a multitude of recreational activities abound. These vary from decidedly athletic activities to relaxing leisure-time pursuits. No matter the interest of the visitor, the Delaware River will not disappoint him. The Delaware River flows from Cape May and Cape Henlopen, in the southern part of New Jersey to empty into Delaware Bay near Trenton. The river was discovered by Henry Hudson in the early part of the seventeenth century. Through much of the early history of the United States, the Delaware served critical shipping interests. A portion of the Pennsylvania Canal as well as the Delaware and Raritan Canal flanks many miles of the river. Although not widely used today, these canals provide beautiful photographic opportunities for the sightseer. A stroll along a portion of the tree-lined canals places the visitor in a serene historic setting. Tubing the Delaware is a recreational activity enjoyed by many hundreds of enthusiasts each year. A life jacket is highly recommended for all water activities including tubing, and a jacket is required on some parts of the river. The Delaware Water Gap Recreational Area enforces a reduced speed limit for all boats; and thus, it is a favorite place for water tubing. The tube excursion between Worthington State Forest and Interstate 80 is a much-loved activity. A visitor must acquaint himself with the terrain in order to avoid the more dangerous white water and debris while tubing. This information can be obtained from local rangers and businesses. Various outfitters offer canoe and raft adventures on the Delaware Waterway. Both guided and unguided trips through the Water Gap Recreational Area are [...]

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Philadelphia’s Lost Waterfront

The Delaware River is discussed throughout my new book, Philadelphia’s Lost Waterfront, available via HistoryPress.net, amazon.com, powells.com, etc., and brick & mortar bookstores. Conflicting uses of the river and the riverfront (e.g., commercial vs. recreational) are examined, as are milestone events on and along the Delaware in Philly’s original/central port district. The Preface, Intro & Epilogue are at scribd.com/cchali .  

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Delaware River Railroad Excursions

Whether you’re looking for a fun way to spend a summer afternoon or a hardcore fan of the railways, a trip on the Delaware River Railroad is not to be missed. The railroad hosts a variety of themed tours out of beautiful downtown Phillipsburg, New Jersey, to destinations throughout western New Jersey. It’s a great way to spend a day with your family or see some of the area’s most beautiful and historic spots. All trains are run on painstakingly restored passenger trains and pulled behind authentic steam locomotives. Even the most diehard railroad buff will enjoy an excursion on the Delaware River Railroad – and a trip may just make a railfan out of you, too! One popular tour you can take on the railroad is to the old Susquehanna Mine in Phillipsburg. A short train ride takes you to the site of the old mines. There, you’ll be treated to an introduction to the history of the mines. Be forewarned: this is not your average history lecture. We don’t want to ruin the surprise but know that it gets very exciting! The original mine shaft is still operating, and as part of the tour, everyone can pan for gemstones. This is a great activity for kids. All visitors get their own bag of mining ore to pan through in search of gemstones. Crystals, quartz, rubies, amethyst, emeralds, and even arrowheads have all been discovered in the mine’s ore. Visitors can take home a bag of their findings as a keepsake. We can’t recommend this trip highly enough – it’s a wonderful way to learn about the history of the area and about mining and geology. The ride to the mine is beautiful as well. It takes about twenty minutes to get to the mine and you’ll probably want [...]

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What is the Delaware River Water Gap?

The Delaware River Water Gap is where the Delaware River, in its over 300 mile southward flow from its source in the Catskill Mountains, crosses over a major ridge of the Appalachian Mountains. The river is approximately 55 feet deep at the Delaware Water Gap. The gap itself is a mile wide spanning from New Jersey’s Mt. Tammany (1,527 feet) to Pennsylvania’s Mt. Minsi (1,463 feet.)  The river lies 290 feet above sea level at this point, a remaining height that it gradually descends in its course through to Delaware Bay, over 175 miles of a meandering downstream later. The geographically significant Delaware Water Gap is located on the border of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, nearest the town of Stroudsburg, PA. The gap marks a change of boundary for the river, leaving the Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania and entering into the Kittatinny Mountains of New Jersey. Both the Blue and Kittatinny ranges are sub-chains within the Appalachian network. Several hundred million years ago, the river emerged through either side of the rocky range. The Appalachians, containing much gray quartzite, were once the highest mountains on earth – comparable to the Himalayas of today. The hardness of this rock has allowed it to be relatively resistant to a few hundred million years of weathering. The durability of the composite minerals accounts for the impressive perseverance of the Appalachian Mountain range, the world’s oldest mountains. Water gaps are noteworthy because they offer geological evidence indicating that some rivers are older than their surrounding mountains. Such is the case with the Delaware, meaning it surpasses 460 million years of age. One theory describes how the Delaware Water Gap began when two rivers on either side, provided enough lateral erosion to forever alter the watershed. Gradually, through tectonic shifts and continued water erosion, the [...]

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