Delaware Canal Vision Study New Partnerships for a New Era

March 2017 - Final LOCATION Delaware Canal Vision Study New Partnerships for a New Era

ELEMENT

ADMINISTRATIVE

1 Site Map INTRODUCTIONImage 1 Section Section Section COVER: The 2017 Vision Study for the Delaware Canal State Park shifted the public para- digm for its stewardship—fromSUMMARY a focus on traditional historic and recreationDETAILS resources – to BACKSTORY multi-functional, naturalized waterway as resilient1 21st Century environmental infrastruc- 2 3 ture. LOCATION Welcome Delaware Canal to the Delaware Canal Vision Study You are part of a growing community who seek a sustainable Delaware Please tell us how you see it. Canal. Use this report to understand the issues and become a steward of the Delaware Canal in the 21st Century.

Delaware Canal Overview Guiding Principles Please tell us how you see it. www.d&lcorridor.org Project: The Delaware Canal Vision Study is the first step in a 1. It’s Our Delaware Canal comprehensive partnership strategy to assist PA Department of 2. It’s About the Water Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) with the complexities of Delaware Canal stewardship. 3. Conserving Our National Historic Delaware Landmark Partners: The study was conducted by Delaware & Lehigh National Canal History Heritage Corridor, Inc. (D&L, Inc.) in partnership with Delaware Canal 4. A Network of Trails and Connections • Constructed between 21 (DC21) and in cooperation with the PA Department of Conservation 5. Stewards of the Canal and River 1827 and 1832; and Natural Resources (DCNR). Multiple organizations and agencies 6. A Park of Many Users refinements until 1834 participated in the process . Refer to acknowledgements. 7. We’re All in This Together • Transportation Funding: The William Penn Foundation funded the study and DCNR waterway dedicated critical staff support. D&L, Inc. was the grant recipient. • 100 years of Next Steps Scope: The “visioning” process included gathering, organizing, and commercial operation The Vision Study doesn’t provide all the answers, ELEMENT presenting public ideas for sustaining the Delaware Canal. • Pennsylvania acquired but identifies multiple opportunities to advance a the Canal by 1940 as a sustainable Delaware Canal. state park Process A list of vision opportunities are included in this • Original greenway and Steering Committee: D&L, Inc. and DC21 retained Simone Collins summary section. Most of these opportunities blueway Landscape Architecture (SC) and Harris Steinberg, FAIA to conduct the demand dedicated partnerships with DCNR to solve • National Register of study tasks, working closely with DCNR. the complex issues that cannot be achieved by any Historic Places – listed 1974 Project Committee: Representatives from state and federal agencies, single agency. • National Historic the Friends of the Delaware Canal, and other non-profit partners met Federal, state, municipal, county, non-profits, Landmark designation periodically to review progress and provide guidance to the team. resident, and visitor support are all needed to assist – 1976 Meetings: Six public and five stakeholder meetings were conducted DCNR to restore, maintain, and operate a watered ADMINISTRATIE • Devastating Delaware across the 60-mile corridor during the process. Additional local and agency Delaware Canal. River floods of 2003, meetings were conducted. 2004, 2005 and 2011 Next steps include “early action” projects; feasibility studies to identify technical and cost details; and • Vision Study, New Synthesis: Comments and research were recorded, assessed, and Partnerships for a New formatted for re-presentation. Seven major “Principles” were distilled from programming / administrative improvements. DCNR Era – 2016 the findings that represent the core values of the community vision for the professional staff provides technical, cost estimates Delaware Canal. A link to the “Principles” can be found in the appendix. and administrative changes. The project partners look forward to continued Products collaboration with DCNR. Contact Public comments: A record of public / stakeholder comments was The 2031 Bicentennial anniversary was identified as Delaware & Lehigh published, as recorded and collated, within the study appendix. an achievable target to complete the sustainability National Heritage Mapping / Graphics: GIS databases from DCNR and various sources strategy for the Delaware Canal. Much will need to Corridor, Inc. were used to create new mapping for the corridor. Other data were be decided in the short-term to reach that goal. www.delawareandlehigh.org developed as pictorial graphics by SC. p. 610.923.3548 Website: D&L, Inc. created and maintained a website with all project Delaware Canal 21 information: www.delawarecanalvision.org www.delawarecanal21.org p. 610-945-4069 Report The study was created as an idea document, not a technical report. It is PA DCNR presented in a web-based format for ease of review. The report is divided www.dcnr.state.pa.us into three sections: Summary, Details, and Backstory (where all supporting p. 888-PA-PARKS documents can be accessed.)Section Study details and navigation are described Section Section 5 in this summary. An acronym glossary is provided for agencies and SUMMARYprograms. Comments are solicited. DETAILS BACKSTORY SiteSite MMap Image 2 1 2 3

The Executive Summary was designed to quickly immerse readers in the 187-year old sub- ject and orient to the interactive navigation system. The online report features mouse-over access report sections (bottom bar) and details (right side bar.) See next slide. LOCATIONSLOCATION

Bristol Borough 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 Bristol BRISTOL BOROUGH 6 Tullytown Falls Morrisville History Lower Makefield Bristol Borough is the southern terminus of the Delaware Canal Yardley Upper Makefield where canal boats were unloaded and water flowed through the Solebury canal boat basin to return to the Delaware River. Local cargo was 5 New Hope off-loaded in Bristol and cargo headed to the cities was towed in ca- Point Pleasant nal boats. Canal boats were lashed together and towed down river Tinicum by steamboat. Mile 1 of the Delaware Canal in Bristol was severely Bridgeton disrupted after World War II, including obstructions to towpath – 4 Nockamixon Durham now the D&L Trail, and a complete obliteration of the watered prism. Riegelsville Williams People 3 Easton Bristol Borough’s population is 9,657. The median age is 38 years. 2 ELEMENTSELEMENT Median household income is $41,446 and the percentage of resi- 1 Safety dents below the poverty level is 15.6%. 3.3% of commuters take Water public transportation to work and 10% of households have no avail- Structures ability to a personal vehicle. A SEPTA Regional Rail station is one Access block from the Delaware Canal, across from the Grundy Tower. Services/Amenities Legend: Historic Civic Priorities 1 SOUTH PORTAL Environment Canal priorities in Bristol include: removing obstructions and restor- 2 MILL STREET OBSTRUCTION ing the D&L Trail; developing the southern approach of the East 3 MISSING TRAIL/SCHOOL ENCROACHMENT ADMINISTRATIVE Coast Greenway trail; upgrading the boat basin area as a visitor 4 LOCAL CROSS STREET

1 Physical Plant 78 BLOOMSBURY HAMILTON GREENWICH Portal; creating safe trail crossings at local streets; restoring the 5 TRAIN STATION TRENTON Trenton LOPATCONG

BETHLEHEM EWING Maintenance ALEXANDRIA towpath as a thru-trail; linking the SEPTA station to the Canal as a 95 22 DELAWARE 6 STORM WATER MORRISVILLE WEST AMWELL Management major trailhead – with public-private partnerships202 and concession- HOPEWELL Washington Morrisville Planning 22 aires; possibly daylighting Mile 1; and employing the Delaware Crossing 32 PHILLIPSBURG 78 FALLS FRENCHTOWN KINGWOOD 1 Phillipsburg ALPHA MILFORD 32 HOLLAND Milford Frenchtown Canal as a stormwater BMP. 611 Stockon LAMBERTVILLE Yardley

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DURHAM Bucks County 611 Delaw anal BUCKINGHAM are C Northampton County NOCKAMIXON Pineville BETHLEHEM 611 95 212 LANGHORNE 78 Bristol LANGHORNE 0 LOWER SAUCON NORTHAMPTON MANOR PENNDEL HULMEVILLE BEDMINSTER NORTH SPRINGFIELD BENSALEM Please tell us how you see it.

Delaware Canal

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(SITE PLAN) Bristol Borough is the southern terminus and Delaware River seaport. Demo- graphics and urban character make it a priority for major infrastructure restorations—where “improvements” after WW2 included filling the Canal prism and obliterating the towpath in Mile 1. LOCATIONSLOCATION • Public amenities (benches, toilets, etc) MP 10.3 ACCESS: Portal – East (Morrisville, DCNR) Bristol Borough Bristol Coast Greenway Portal • Signage (entry, directional, interpretive) Tullytown (Morrisville, DCNR) Falls Morrisville Place • Planning / funding Sketch showing the connections to the Morrisville Portal and Delaware Canal 1- 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 (DC21, D&L, Inc.) The East Coast Greenway Trail enters Pennsylvania via the Cal- access (red circle). The orange line represents the location where the East Lower Makefield Coast Greenway Trail crosses the Delaware River from New Jersey into Penn- Yardley houn Street Bridge from Trenton, NJ and connects to the D&L Trail • Explore feasibility of a new Canal overflow north of the sylvania – connecting the Delaware and the D&R Canals, the yellow line rep- Upper Makefield through a Morrisville park site adjacent to the Delaware Canal. This Calhoun Street Bridge as a way to help to reduce future Solebury location is a cultural hub and is poised to serve as a major Portal resents sidewalk access and the blue and green lines represent the Canal and river flooding in Morrisville towpath, respectively. New Hope where the interstate trail connects to the D&L Trail. Point Pleasant Tinicum Bridgeton Existing Assets Nockamixon Durham • Public access to the Canal – from Delmorr Avenue Riegelsville • Crosswalks – from Calhoun Street Bridge Williams Easton • Delaware River loop walking trail – on adjacent levee and historic Calhoun Street Bridge ELEMENTSELEMENT • Public parking – across Delmorr Ave Safety Water • Public toilets – adjacent to the Canal, Structures Access • Community playhouse – adjacent Services/Amenities • East Trenton Ave Bridge – historic concrete structure with Historic sidewalks that spans Canal and towpath Civic Environment • River overlook public deck – across Delmorr Avenue ADMINISTRATIVE

Opportunities / Potential Partners Physical Plant This location can be re-envisioned as a major Portal entry into Maintenance Pennsylvania – and a strategic place to welcome residents and visi- Management tors with facilities that support public access to the Delaware Canal Planning and the Morrisville business community. Morrisville can act as the central local catalyst to organize multiple partners ensure that these improvements are realized:

• Structure maintenance / repair – East Trenton Ave Bridge (PennDOT)

• Sidewalk repair – East Trenton Ave Bridge (PennDOT)

• Towpath – sidewalk connections Delaware Canal (PennDOT, DCNR)

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Delaware Canal

Section Section Section Please tell us how you see it. 38www.d&lcorridor.org SUMMARY DETAILS BACKSTORY Site Map Image 4 1 2 3 The East Coast Greenway enters Morrisville, Pennsylvania via a River bridge and runs south on the towpath. The LA emphasized the need to address the vulnerability of the Delaware Canal to flooding in this location where the River becomes tidally-affected. LOCATIONSLOCATION

Bristol Borough Bristol Tullytown Falls Morrisville Lower Makefield Yardley Upper Makefield Solebury New Hope Point Pleasant 1-2-3-4-5 Tinicum Bridgeton Nockamixon Durham Riegelsville Williams Easton

ELEMENTSELEMENT Safety Water Structures Access Services/Amenities Historic Civic Environment

ADMINISTRATIVE

Physical Plant Maintenance Management Planning MP 32.7 STRUCTURES: Existing Assets Opportunities / Potential Partners The Aqueduct was completed in 2001. It is a traditional Burr Arch Due to its age, the Tohickon Aqueduct should undergo an assess- Aqueduct – Repairs to Tohickon timber structure that uses modern timber technology and geotex- ment to determine if there are any deficiencies with all of its compo- Aqueduct tiles to seal the prism. The Aqueduct was the recipient of numerous nents. DCNR can partner with groups like the Timber Framers Guild awards, including the National Timber Bridge Award given by the to conduct an assessment to ensure that this aesthetically-pleasing U.S. Forest Service and the Transportation and Historic Preserva- and functionally-efficient superstructure and the hidden liner remain Place tion Award given by the Federal Highway Administration. in peak condition.

The Tohickon Aqueduct carries the Canal and towpath over the Delaware Canal Tohickon Creek just south of Byram Road.

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Delaware Canal

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The Tohickon Aqueduct – a partnership restoration between DCNR and the local community, was also designed by the Vision Study landscape architect. As a renewable/modular timber superstructure, it is an early resiliency model for increasing flood-impact damages to the Delaware Canal. LOCATIONSLOCATION ¼-mile Wild & Scenic River boundary and water resource projects Easton MP 58.9 STRUCTURES: Dam – that require a federal permit could potentially trigger NPS review Bristol Borough • and approval. NPS has expertise related to hydropower and FERC Stabilize existing river edges Bristol Lehigh River Dam relicencing projects that could be applied to addressing ecological Tullytown • Adapt the existing shad ladder structure to a low-head and recreational issues as part of modifications to the Lehigh Dam. Falls hydropower system, that can: Morrisville Place A synthesis of visions for the Lehigh Dam includes modifying the Lower Makefield o Generate power / income dedicated toward the Yardley The Lehigh River dam at the Delaware confluence remains a cen- existing structure as partial “wing” dam configuration that will: Delaware Canal Upper Makefield tral cultural feature of the Easton landscape and is a major element • Maintain a Lehigh River pool level to feed the Delaware Solebury in the City’s focus on re-imagining its two river waterfronts. Demonstrate modern and sustainable hybrid river New Hope Canal o management systems Point Pleasant Tinicum • Design the free flowing river channel section on the north Existing Assets Comments, concerns and experiences about the details of advanc- Bridgeton side of the Easton Lehigh waterfront to: Nockamixon The dam was originally constructed in 1831 and still serves its ing a modern, multi-purpose dam are addressed in this study ap- Durham • pendix by stakeholders, including: National Park Service, American purpose to pool Lehigh River water for diversion to the Delaware Re-establish a modern shad / herring passageway Riegelsville Rivers, PA Fish and Boat Commission, Wildlands Conservancy, and Canal. Without some form of dam in this location there is no con- Williams • sistent source to sufficiently water the entire northern half of the Create a whitewater recreation attraction in downtown Appalachian Mountain Club. Easton Delaware Canal. The dam and a shad “ladder” built in the early 1-2-3 1990’s are both owned by the Commonwealth. ELEMENTSELEMENT The Easton Comprehensive Plan update of 2016 includes a priority recommendation to create a new Waterfront District and Master Safety Water Plan for Riverfront Development to spur green revitalization. A re- Structures envisioned Lehigh Dam is at the heart of this goal. Access Services/Amenities Opportunities / Potential Partners Historic Civic Multiple public expectations have emerged regarding the future of Environment this Lehigh Dam. The visioning process suggests the opportunity to unite the interests of multiple partners – beginning with a feasibility ADMINISTRATIVE study that assumes the dam structure will require major repair or replacement in the foreseeable future. Physical Plant Maintenance A vision sketch combines several ideas from the public that deserve Management a comprehensive technical analysis to prepare Easton, DCNR, and Planning partners for the inevitable eventuality of rebuilding the dam – as an alternative to waiting until the dam fails to prepare for the contingency. In 2017, ACOE reached out to partners with the possibility of including the Lehigh Confluence Dam on its list of projects for multipurpose study – including improved fish migration.

The Lehigh River is not designated as part of the Lower Delaware National Wild & Scenic River, however the proximity of the dam to the Delaware River and the dam’s ecological and water quality and quantity impacts to the river would trigger NPS involvement with The sketch depicts a partial “wing” dam concept on the Lehigh at Easton – similar in function to the existing Delaware River wing dam at New Hope that Delaw anal the US Army Corps of Engineers. The dam is located within the are C feeds the Delaware Canal.

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Delaware Canal

Section Section Section Please tell us how you see it. 84www.d&lcorridor.org SUMMARY DETAILS BACKSTORY Site Map Image 6 1 2 3

Easton Dam was originally built to divert Lehigh River water into the Delaware Canal. The LA’s concept for a future half “wing” dam synthesizes public ideas to maintain the pool elevation, allow fish migration; and create water recreation opportunities. LOCATIONSLOCATION

MP 58.9 ACCESS: Portal – Head Bristol Borough Bristol of the Canal Tullytown Falls Morrisville Place Lower Makefield Yardley The distance between the north and south banks of the Lehigh Upper Makefield River at the head of the Delaware Canal is approximately 300 feet Solebury as the crow flies. Currently, the only pedestrian route between the New Hope Delaware Canal head and the downtown Easton waterfront is a Point Pleasant 3-foot sidewalk along Route 611. This is path is daunting for pe- Tinicum destrians, does not meet transportation standards, and is not safe Bridgeton Nockamixon for bike travel. Durham Riegelsville Williams Existing Assets Easton At least three alternative routes require study to determine their 1-2-3 feasibility as a future, modern pedestrian-bicycle link for resident and visitor populations in Easton with the 60-mile Delaware Canal ELEMENTSELEMENT greenway, including: Safety • Widen the Route 611 corridor to accommodate safe, Water modern ped-bike facilities. Structures Access • Adapt a ped-bike grade through the freight station site to Services/Amenities reach the Lehigh Canal towpath Historic The sketch depicts at least three alternative routes to connect the Easton downtown waterfront to a new entry “Portal” at the head of the Delaware Canal. Civic • Build a 300-foot ped-bike bridge as a modern Portal The yellow box represents the Transportation Center and the dark blue line represents the path between the Center and the 3rd St. Bridge. The orange Environment structure between downtown and the Delaware Canal line represents the current switchback path users have to take to the Lehigh Canal towpath in order to safely access the Delaware Canal. The green line represents potential direct access to the Delaware Canal using the existing bridge and the light blue line represents a more direct and safer approach via a ADMINISTRATIVE new pedestrian bridge. ADMINISTRATIVE Opportunities / Potential Partners Josiah White, one of the nation’s only mule-drawn Canal boat rides. Physical Plant The Vision Study process revealed a great need to create a safe It is one of the few places where all historic transportation modes - Maintenance and inviting pedestrian/bicycle connection between downtown river, canal, railroads, road, trail - come together. Management Easton and the Delaware Canal. Major improvements to the pre- Planning carious existing conditions will be required for any of the three alter- Easton resident and visitor demographics suggest that a new safe natives. In the process of designing this connection, Easton and its and attractive link between downtown and the 60-mile Delaware partners can envision and create a major “Portal” between Easton Canal greenway will support Easton’s sustainable and economic downtown and the “head” of Delaware Canal goals as a riverfront community with enviable assets to meet this modern economic imperative. Easton’s commitment to its water- The existing Delaware Canal trailhead in Easton is an under- front revitalization makes it a likely partner to catalyze this feasibility realized node on the D&L Trail system. The site is accessed from study in cooperation with DCNR, D&L, Inc., and other partners as Route 611 and is physically limited to approximately 30 parking soon as possible. A vision graphic depicts a new pedestrian-bicycle spaces. bridge Portal as a new alternative access between the Easton New pedestrian bridge - one of three alternative alignments identified as downtown waterfront and the Head of the Delaware Canal. This trailhead is also an important connection to the Easton City- potential new connections between downtown Easton and head of the Delaware Canal owned Hugh Moore Park, the National Canal Museum and the Delaware Canal.

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Delaware Canal

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“You can’t get there from here…safely” was a public sentiment about the route between the Delaware Canal and downtown Easton. The LA identified three alternatives to improve the linkage—including a concept sketch of a new Lehigh River ped-bike bridge. LOCATIONSLOCATION Partnership Opportunities Bristol Borough Bristol Tullytown Preliminary Stormwater Study Falls Morrisville 2.6 Stormwater A preliminary stormwater study for the Delaware Canal was funded Lower Makefield by the William Penn Foundation and DCNR, and was completed Yardley during the course of the Vision Study process. The goal of the Context Upper Makefield stormwater study is to identify critical locations where stormwater is Solebury The geographic location of the Delaware Canal – much of it built currently impacting the Delaware Canal, and to suggest model best New Hope parallel to and directly above the elevation of the Delaware River management practices (BMPs) to address typical types of impacts. Point Pleasant doom it to receive stormwater from state and local roads, upstream Project partners include DC21, Heritage Conservancy, PennDOT, Tinicum properties and many local watersheds. An increase in the volume and Bucks and Lehigh Conservation Districts. Stormwater man- Bridgeton of recent stormwater runoff has precipitated significant stormwater agement jurisdictions include BMPs within the state park; BMPs Nockamixon impacts to the Delaware Canal that originate outside the state park within the state highway rights-of-way; and BMPs on properties that Durham jurisdiction. Under the current regulatory environment each prop- contribute stormwater to the Delaware Canal. The City of Philadel- Riegelsville erty owner is becoming responsible for stormwater management phia has adopted stormwater management as a utility function of its Williams within his or her individual property. This change in policy poses municipal water department, and this model may have applicability Easton opportunities to help relieve DCNR from solely managing stormwa- for managing the Delaware Canal stormwatershed. Further study will be required with DCNR partnership. ter impacts that originate beyond the Delaware Canal State Park ELEMENTELEMENTSELEMENT boundary. • Future Stormwater Management initiatives – partners Safety involved in the Preliminary stormwater study need to Water be the catalysts to advance the opportunities identi- Structures Challenges fied in that study – including: additional planning; part- Access ner negotiations; funding development; and execution Services/Amenities In many locations, the impact of stormwater runoff threatens the of model BMPs. Historic integrity of Delaware Canal structures and increases risks to public Civic safety – such as undermining highways, walls, towpath, as well as • Municipal Stormwater Plans - Municipalities whose Environment watersheds drain into the Canal should include a de- local flooding in areas adjacent to the State Park. ADMINISTRATIVE scription of the operation of the Canal in any update ADMINISTRATIVE District stormwater management partnerships need to be explored of their Storm Water Plans. In many locations the Physical Plant as an alternative to DCNR continuing to assume a “default” liability Canal receives and discharges stormwater and by Maintenance “operation” the Canal is already a “storm water man- and costs of serving as an unfunded stormwater manager for the Management collective 40,000-acre watershed area. that contributes directly into agement facility.” Municipalities should recognize the Planning the Delaware Canal. critical role of the Canal in providing environmental and recreational benefits. Municipal stormwater management plans should provide a guide for stormwater facility designs that will protect the historic, structural and operational integrity and benefits of the Canal and, where appropriate, provide a guide for designs that will recognize the advantage of the Canal as part of their municipal stormwater management system.

Delaware Canal

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Delaware Canal

Section Section Section Please tell us how you see it. 103www.d&lcorridor.org SUMMARY DETAILS BACKSTORY Site Map Image 8 1 2 3

Many local watersheds drain directly into the Canal, resulting in regular stormwater-related structural impacts – in addition to the impacts from periodic Delaware River catastrophic flood events. The LA conducted a related Delaware Canal Stormwater Study concurrent with the Vision Study. LOCATIONSLOCATION terway at its Canal Park. A public commitment to a watered Canal Bristol Borough will increase the effectiveness of these important access water Bristol facilities. Tullytown Falls 4.7 Waterway The Vision Study process also revealed the need to identify exist- Morrisville ing public access locations where water trail users can connect Lower Makefield between the Delaware River and the Delaware Canal. Locations tifiable costs to the economies of the Commonwealth, the counties, Yardley where the public has direct access between the Canal and River Upper Makefield and local municipalities. During the Vision Study, kayakers noted include: Wy Hit Tuk Park, Giving Pond; Tinicum Park; Golden Solebury that they changed their recreation patterns to avoid the Delaware Pheasant Bridge; Bucks County parks property at Bridge 2 in Point New Hope Canal and use the D&R Canal which is always watered. There is a Pleasant; Virginia Forest access area; Roosevelt Recreation Area; Point Pleasant need for kayak and canoe launch facilities up and down the Canal. the Delaware River intake in New Hope; and Washington Crossing Tinicum Bridgeton Multiple economic studies including the DVRPC and the LVPC State Park. River access from Lambertville is much preferable and Nockamixon “Return on Environment” reports show clearly the values of open more accessible than the New Hope intake, particularly when the Gateway to New Hope project is completed. Durham space and recreation assets to the surrounding economies. Not Riegelsville maintaining the Delaware Canal as a watered navigation route has The Vision Study process also identified the need to increase river- Williams calculable negative economic impacts, in addition to increased Canal access locations where possible. In 2009, the Delaware Easton future maintenance costs, and loss of habitat. River Greenway Partnership (DRGP) completed a Trails Signage plan for the Delaware River from Hancock, NY to Trenton, NJ – The Delaware Canal as a water trail has the unique ability to serve ELEMENTELEMENTSELEMENT recreation travel in both directions, due to its gentle current, a fea- including the entire parallel alignment of the Delaware Canal. This ture that most natural water trails do not enable without motorized plan includes signage recommendations for multiple jurisdictional Safety crafts. When watered, the Delaware Canal creates “loop” excursion public access partners and may be updated and modified to sup- Water options, including canoeing downriver and paddling the Canal back port the Delaware Canal water trail. Structures Access upstream to the start – an excursion that also reduces the need for One prominent private location that has been used informally but Services/Amenities vehicular shuttling of users. When the Canal is not watered, this not officially by the public to access the Delaware Canal and River Historic opportunity / public service is lost. is the Mountainside Inn at Mile 30 in Point Pleasant. DCNR and Civic Hybrid water-land trail loop excursions include canoeing the Canal partners should consider securing a public easement to the Canal Environment and river at this location a priority. in one direction and biking or hiking the return trip on the towpath. ADMINISTRATIVE Local users are most familiar with the recreation opportunities of a watered Delaware Canal, but these options can be easily marketed Physical Plant Context as attractions by private canoe outfitters, chambers of commerce, Partnership Opportunities Maintenance Canal supporters, and even DCNR itself – if the Canal remains Management The Delaware Canal State Park is both a land and water trail – consistently watered. • Water Trail Loops – The concept for canal-river loop land Planning although with past state practices of dewatering the Canal during trails can be similar to the bi-state loop trail routes on both construction – the unreliability of the Canal as a watered system A well-maintained system of waterway access features is important sides of the Delaware River. Water loop trails using the to serve this type of low-impact, ecotourism attraction. In multiple Delaware Canal and Delaware River can be developed an has severely reduced its use as a water trail and recreation re- promoted – only if the Canal is consistently watered, and lock locations, DCNR has constructed and maintained ramps and source. Boating needs to be considered a priority recreation use loops will only be viable if easy ways to portage are pro- for the Delaware Canal. platforms in the Canal, above and below locks, to provide ADA- vided. An assessment of existing and potential water trail accessibility to portage around the historic structures. The primary loops can be developed by strategic partners working with challenge to capitalize on these investments is to maintain water in DCNR. The assessment can identify possible locations where access to the water trail can be expanded by agree- the Canal. A secondary challenge is to address the potential NR/ ment, acquisition, or easement with public and private Challenges NHL impacts form such new structures. owners. The execution of access improvements can be accomplished by DCNR or in partnership with county and Delaware Canal The lack of a reliably watered Delaware Canal has direct and quan- Solebury Township designed, but never constructed, one of the local governments and/or with strategic NGO partners. boat launch structures for users to embark and disembark the wa-

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Delaware Canal

Section Section Section Please tell us how you see it. 130www.d&lcorridor.org SUMMARY DETAILS BACKSTORY Site Map Image 9 1 2 3

The pre-industrial Delaware Canal was constructed as a trapezoidal-shaped landform - with a watertight clay liner. The LA used the stakeholder process to educate about keeping the “prism” watered to prevent the clay material from drying, leaking and structural failure. LOCATIONSLOCATION River studies; state, county and municipal plans; local cultural Bristol Borough societies, etc. Public involvement for a CLA process is a valuable Bristol continuation of the public involvement program that began for the Tullytown Delaware Canal Vision Study. Falls 6.4 Cultural Landscape Morrisville A visual resource assessment is one important initial step of a CLA Lower Makefield The NPS cultural landscape strategy was used upriver in the Dela- – especially for the Delaware Canal as a NRHP and NHL resource Yardley ware Water Gap National Recreation Area as a means to manage and a contributing element to the Lower Delaware National Wild & Upper Makefield the historic Delaware River villages that had been acquired and Scenic River. The NPS has resource assessment and manage- Solebury razed to build the Tocks Island Dam. When the project was halted ment tools to help DCNR strategic partners conduct this work. Vi- New Hope and the remnant landscapes were transferred to the NPS to man- sual qualities in Delaware Canal environment can easily be consid- Point Pleasant age as a land-based park, the NPS developed its Cultural Land- ered to include views from the towpath; views from the River; and Tinicum Bridgeton scape approach to conserve remaining historic fabric and to inter- views from River Road as primary vantage considerations. Such Nockamixon pret history without the full integrity of the original resources. work would include establishing vantage and vista location criteria; data recording processes; and data presentation – preferably using Durham The cultural landscape also focuses on the broader context of plac- GIS. Riegelsville Williams es, rather than relying on a single or clusters of artifacts or areas Easton of significance – as described in a NRHP. A cultural landscape may resemble a historic district in some ways, and is especially versatile for presenting multiple layers or periods of significance for a site or Partnership Opportunities ELEMENTELEMENTSELEMENT a region. • Cultural Landscape Assessment – DCNR and strategic Safety partners can conduct a Delaware Canal CLA as a logical The Delaware Canal is a cultural landscape that within its boundar- next stage of planning following the Vision Study. DC21 Water ies and multiple layers of overlapping cultural uses surrounding it and D&L, Inc. can continue the successful public process Structures – such as the local villages, mills and early industry, the river road, by focusing the region-wide outreach process at the mu- Access river ferry crossings, and early recreation uses to name just a few. nicipality level. The CLA will address the Delaware Canal Services/Amenities itself, but will probe deeper into the historic and current Historic social and economic aspects of the communities directly Civic outside the state park jurisdiction. The visual resource assessment and the preliminary stormwater studies are Environment Challenges examples of two related resources that will inform a CLA ADMINISTRATIVE for the Delaware Canal. ADMINISTRATIVE Cultural landscapes typically begin by acknowledging that there is Context • Visual Resource Assessment – A visual resource assess- Physical Plant a collection of resources – physical and human, that are important ment is a rationalized process that uses criteria developed Maintenance The NPS defines a “cultural landscape” as: “…a geographic area, to conserve. The first step is to use the NPS process to conduct a by NPS to set values and identify resources of positive and Management Cultural Landscape Assessment (CLA) that can identify, quantify, negative visual quality for a given area. The highly scenic Planning including both cultural and natural resources and the wildlife or visual quality along much of the Delaware Canal has never and assess elements that contribute to the cultural landscape. The domestic animals therein, associated with an historic event, activity, been assessed, nor have the values of contributing visual or person, or exhibiting other cultural or aesthetic values. second phase of cultural landscape planning is a Cultural Land- elements been quantified as a tool for helping to conserve scape Report (CLR) that is used to develop and set forth a strategy them. A Visual Resource Assessment for the Delaware The Delaware Canal is a cultural landscape in addition to its Na- for conserving the elements of the cultural landscape. A cultural Canal could be designed by adapting NPS criteria for a corridor assessment between Bristol and Easton. The tional Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmark landscape does not equate to a NRHP or NHL designation, but may NPS process enables visual surveyors to minimize subjec- designations. Cultural landscapes are a tool used by NPS to assess very well include resources of either within its geographic boundar- tivity and create a database of visual “values” that is quan- and manage heritage landscapes that were too large for individual ies. tifiable; represents a rationalized assessment of aesthetic NRHP designation, or locations that remained culturally important, values; and identifies the contributing resources that need to be actively conserved or restored to maintain the visual but had lost the level of historic integrity needed to qualify for the The Delaware Canal deserves a CLA as an organizing tool that integrity of the corridor. Partners with interests in maintain- NRHP Cultural landscapes are not designations, and do not need be used by DCNR partners to tie together the disparate aspects ing the visual integrity along the Delaware Canal corridor Delaware Canal to meet NRHP/NHL criteria. that relate in some way to the core Canal historic resource. Many include: tourist promotion agencies in two states, the coun- sources can inform the CLA, including, but not limited to: the Dela- ties, local municipalities, D&L, Inc., NPS, and economic

ware Canal Vision Study; related Delaware Canal and Delaware development partners at all levels. Please tell us how you see it.

Delaware Canal

Section Section Section Please tell us how you see it. 149www.d&lcorridor.org SUMMARY DETAILS BACKSTORY Site Map Image 10 1 2 3

The Delaware Canal began operating in 1832. Towns grew along the corridor and still de- scribe those original relationships to the water “road.” Essential character-defining features of the Canal include its brilliant landscape alignment and its primary purpose—to hold water. LOCATIONSLOCATION Bristol Borough Bristol Tullytown Falls 8.1 Habitat Morrisville Lower Makefield In 2016, there was a fish kill below and above the Conrail obstruc- Yardley Context tion, just south of Morrisville in Falls Township. DEP responded Upper Makefield and determined that there was almost no dissolved oxygen in the Solebury The naturalized, human-made watered environment of the Dela- Canal water. Reasons for the lack of dissolved oxygen were not New Hope ware Canal is of greatest concern. Terrestrial and many bird spe- given, but the location is where the Conrail obstruction restricts Point Pleasant cies use the Delaware Canal corridor regardless of its watered water flow in the Canal. Tinicum status. The same is not possible for aquatic species. Portions of Bridgeton the Canal are habitat to red-bellied turtles (Pseudemys rubriventris), The incident illuminates the multiple demands on DCNR – not to Nockamixon a federally listed endangered species that is a contributing ecologi- just keep the Canal filled with water, but to ensure its flow and water Durham cal value to the Lower Delaware National Wild & Scenic River. quality for all species. Riegelsville Williams Easton Challenges Partnership Opportunities ELEMENTELEMENTSELEMENT Over the decades, there have been many fish kills in the Delaware • Fish Stocking – DCNR, Delaware Canal supporters Safety Canal due to unanticipated breaches in the prism or structural and sports fishing organizations should meet with Water failures. DCNR and volunteers attempt to rescue and migrate fish representatives of PA F&BC to seek partnership from Structures to other sections or to the Delaware River when breaches or dewa- the agency with DCNR for maintaining a watered Access tering for construction has occurred in the past. These emergency Canal. A DCNR Watered Canal Policy is needed to Services/Amenities interventions are not always completely successful. The loss of reduce the risks and emergency staff response costs Historic aquatic habitat limits the viability of aquatic species in the Canal, to fish kills in the Canal. Civic which affects other species that use the Delaware Canal as habitat Environment • Red Bellied Turtles – DCNR and partners can work and food source. ADMINISTRATIVE to ensure the survival and protection of red bellied According to NPS, stocking non-native fish in/near rivers is consid- turtle habitats and nesting areas within the Canal. Physical Plant ered controversial in some geographic areas and by some wildlife This threatened species makes its home in the Canal Maintenance management agencies. Fish stocking should be carefully consid- waters and can hibernate here in the winter months. If Management ered or reconsidered as to its ecological impacts to the Delaware water levels drop due to Canal projects or low rainfall, Planning River and the actual economic and recreational benefits should be they and their nests are at risk. Partners and com- identified. munity groups can help DCNR only under supervi- sion, direction and approval of the appropriate wildlife Since the floods of 2004, 5, and 6, the stocking of trout in the authorities, in this case US Fish and Wildlife Service Delaware Canal was stopped for years by PA F&BC because the and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Delaware Canal was an unreliable watered habitat. Fish stocking resumed in sections in 2010. In April 2016, DCNR had completed repairs from the three floods, plus repairs of issues caused by the extended period of a dewatered Canal. Water began to fill the northern section of the Canal. Delaware Canal

Please tell us how you see it.

Delaware Canal

Section Section Section Please tell us how you see it. 158www.d&lcorridor.org SUMMARY DETAILS BACKSTORY Site Map Image 11 1 2 3

The LA emphasized the civic needs and benefits for the former industrial waterway to continue to serve multiple cultural and environmental functions as a naturalized, fully-watered, human-made aquatic habitat—and green infrastructure. LOCATIONSLOCATION structure below – that in many places is the first line of defense Bristol Borough against Delaware River flooding doing damage to the adjacent Bristol River Road state highway. The importance of the Delaware Canal Tullytown towpath as the structure of the D&L Trail and a cultural amenity is Falls 3.3 Towpath addressed in element 4.5 Access – Pedestrian and Bicycle. Morrisville Lower Makefield A D&L, Inc. goal is for the Delaware Canal to be free of obstructions Each attempt to improve the usability and longevity of the towpath Yardley and serve as a completely continuous trail for hikers, bikers and system needs to address National Historic Landmark concerns and Upper Makefield horseback riders between Easton and Bristol. Mile 1 in Bristol was must include a period of monitoring – with the most stringent tests Solebury altered and filled in after World War II, but the right-of-way remains occurring during unpredictable flooding events. New Hope generally not built upon. This towpath segment could and should Point Pleasant A DCNR contingency plan for towpath repairs should include con- be re-established as thru-trail at some point. This step can be in Tinicum struction-ready standard designs; escrow funding in place: backup Bridgeton partnership by Bristol Borough, catalyst partners and DCNR. or bypass watering provisions; and emergency repair response Nockamixon teams under pre-approved contracts so that DCNR can respond Durham with expediency to towpath failures. These critical strategies may Riegelsville Challenges require DCNR policy changes and in some cases require state leg- Williams islators to take actions to fund such investments that may exceed Easton DCNR responded to past public requests to improve the towpath a minimum project program – that would not typically include smart structural improvements. surface for biking by experimenting with a different specification for ELEMENTELEMENTSELEMENT the towpath surface. Unfortunately, the system of shallow excava- Memoranda of Agreements should be developed between DCNR tion with a new surface of compacted gravel fines, did not withstand Safety and partner agencies so that permitting, execution, and monitoring flooding or protect the structure below. Since that time, DCNR Water of emergency repairs can be expedited when an inevitable event engineers have modified the towpath trail specification to re-employ Structures occurs. Previous memoranda exist for the Delaware Canal. With- stabilized turf surface materials with a hidden geogrid growing Access out such a proactive “expedited repair” program, future failures to matrix and mix of surface stone fines. Some sections of the towpath Services/Amenities the Delaware Canal towpath will continue to result in costly delays Historic remain modified as red stone wearing surfaces, instead of the his- and avoidable direct costs, including: increased DCNR mainte- Civic toric grassed travel surface. DCNR will need to continue monitoring nance and the impact on safety, transportation, economic develop- Environment heavily-used sections of the towpath to determine if the new struc- ment, tourism and historically inconsistent repairs. turally modified grass towpath surface holds up under increasing ADMINISTRATIVE modern traffic volumes. Physical Plant The substructure of the towpath was constructed with mixed rubble Maintenance and covered with a friable soil skin to grow grass. Where the Partnership Opportunities Management towpath is adjacent to the Delaware River, the structure is either a • Towpath Expedited Repair Strategy – Breaches in the tow- Planning graded embankment or a wall down to bedrock below the waterline. path occur periodically due to aging structures, but the like- Context Towpath breaches can result from river side or canal side damages. lihood of failures is increased by not maintaining a watered Canal prism. Towpath failure needs to be addressed by In places where the towpath structure becomes damaged, a future The towpath of the Delaware Canal is a character-defining feature DCNR as an inevitable contingency – and DCNR response repair program needs to continue to include provisions to invest and remains essentially the same scale and structure as when it to towpath and river wall breaches can capitalize on these in DCNR-specified gabions or concrete walls constructed within adverse opportunities to repair the damaged sections with was originally built in 1831 – an average of six to eight feet wide, the finished towpath structure – as a hidden structural “backbone.” greater built-in resiliency in the new sections of structure. but smaller where encroachments have occurred in places. The An upgraded, hidden structural backbone beneath the This investment will prevent future repeated damage in the same surface is historically a grassed walkway – sometimes picturesque, towpath should be installed incrementally with each breach location. but also serving a critical bio-engineering function, with grass roots repair. This is a prudent investment while crews are on the job and reduces the chance of future disruptions in the anchoring and vegetation armoring the soil and fill materials below The Delaware Canal works as a living structural system. A watered most vulnerable stretches of towpath. Delaware Canal from erosive river flooding. prism and a grassed towpath protect the integrity of the towpath

Please tell us how you see it.

Delaware Canal

Section Section Section Please tell us how you see it. 110www.d&lcorridor.org SUMMARY DETAILS BACKSTORY Site Map Image 12 1 2 3

The towpath is the waterway trail, and includes riverside walls for miles along the riverside prism. Lose the towpath—lose the waterway, and the state highway becomes vulnerable. The LA emphasized making the infrastructure resilient to impacts of climate change. The Delaware Canal as a Watered System

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Tohickon Creek LOCK 2 Aqueduct Tohickon Creek Rabbit Run 40 ft 40 ft Hickory Cuttalosa Creek 40 ft LOCK 1 Creek Paunnacussing Creek Aqueduct Paunnacussing Creek Ingham Creek Aqueduct Dark Stoney Run Aquetong Creek Hollow Pidcock Creek Aqueduct 20 ft Hough’s Creek Dryers Creek 20 ft 20 ftRun Jericho Creek Aqueduct Hough’s Creek Brock Creek Aqueduct Mill Creek Brock Creek Rock Run Adams Hollow Creek Mile 60 55 Mile 50 45 Mile 40 35 Mile 30 25 Mile 20 15 Mile 10 5 Mile 0 NOTE: Vertical scale exaggerated

Image 13

During the Vision Study process, a public consensus emerged to support fully watering the Canal. The LA also identified a “stealth watershed” (over 40,000 acres) that is intercepted by the Canal—making the State Park the de facto stormwater manager. Canal Organization Events

Private Ownership

State Ownership

World Events

Private River Road Delaware Canal National Landmark Delaware River Property Right of Way (varies) 60’ Wide Width Varies PENNDOT PA DCNR, BUREAU OF STATE PARKS DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION Routes 32 and 611 (OWNER, MANAGER) MANAGES WATER RESOURCES QUALITY/QUANTITY (PA State Scenic Highway) OF DELAWARE RIVER WATERSHED PA Historic & Museum Commission Members- PA, NJ, NY, DE, USA (DOI) (State Historic Preservation Officer, Delaware Canal National Landmark)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic River (includes the Delaware Canal)

Private Stormwater Army Corps of Engineers D&L Trail Army Corps of Engineers Manages Navigable Waters of the US DVRPC “Circuit Trail” Manages Navigable Waters of the US

Highway Stormwater

Stormwater via culvert and local streams FLOOD LEVELS TOWPATH

Canal Overflow STORMWATER MANAGEMENT US EPA- NPDES PA DEP- E & S Canal Drains County Conservancy Districts Bucks County Stormwater/Tributaries via culverts & aqueducts Northhampton County Property Owners G r o u n d w a t e r

Groundwater

Commonwealth State of of Pennsylvania New Jersey Surface Water Dept. of Environmental Protection (Rivers and Tributaries) (Water Quality) DRBC & DEP

Management Delaware Canal Jurisdictions

DRAFT July 9 2015 Please tell us how you see it.

Image 14

The labyrinth of government agencies with overlapping jurisdictions over the Delaware Canal was researched and graphically presented by the LA to help the public comprehend the complex network of its resource protection stewards—that one participant described as “mind-blowing.” the DELAWARE CANAL STORY (1831 - 2015) Conceived before the American Revolution, Built before the Industrial Revolution, Owned publicly since the dawn of the Digital Revolution.

1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000

Spanish Great American World Great Gulf French & Revolutionary War of Mexican Civil World Korean Recession War War I Depression War II War VietnamWar War War in Iraq Indian War War 1812 American War War War in Afghanistan WORLD Washington Crosses the Delaware EVENTS 1956 1791 R A I L R O A D I N T E R S T A T E H I G H W A Y S A N T H R A C I T E C O A L COMPUTERS 1859 S T E E L O I L TECHNOLOGICAL I R O N EVENTS

U.S. Canal Era- Dreams and Schemes Delaware Canal Private Ownership Delaware Canal State Ownership 70 years of conception, innovation, and construction 99 years of continuous commercial operation 82 + years of stewardship, collaboration & partnerships Erie Canal opens Delaware Division Management by Department of Management by DCNR, Bureau of Pennsylvania Canal Company of the Pennsylvania Canal leased to and run by Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company Management by Department of Forests and Waters Canal Company Environmental Resources State Parks

Lehigh Canal opens Years of Years of repair/ Years of recreation/amenities improvements recreation/amenities restoration Morris Canal opens improvements

American Industrial Commercial Delaware & Hudson Canal Commonwealth acquires State purchases Revolution begins with operation ends, opens all 60 miles of the Hendrick’s Island, ACQUISITIONS smelting of iron and Delaware & Raritian Commonwealth Delaware Canal , and it becomes part of the Benjamin Canal opens coal in the Lehigh and acquires 40 miles becomes Theodore PECO purchases Delaware Canal Giving Pond Franklin Delaware valleys of the Canal. Roosevelt State Park Hendrick’s Island State Park acquired advocates for Delaware Canal opens to traffic from Name canal Bristol to New Hope Canal changed Known as the construction Durham Canal appears becomes a to Becomes as a means Groundhog Lock, locks on the National DESIGNATIONS Commercial Furnace National Delaware a National of internal 22 & 23 were combined operation of reopened register of Historic Canal Recreation to form one double lock, improvement Delaware by Cooper Historic Places Landmark State Park Trail Canal and making it the highest on the canal begins Hewitt Tohickon Tohickon Creek aqueduct Aqueduct Restored

1 8 4 0 fails. IMPROVEMENTS & 1 9 3 4 3 9 1 1 7 7 2 1 8 11 7 8 1 9 1 8 21 5 8 21 8 8 31 0 8 31 1 8 3 3 1 8 4 8 1 8 5 5 1 9 3 1 1 9 4 0 1 9 5 5 1 9 7 41 9 7 8 1 9 81 9 9 9 0 1 9 9 62 0 02 1 0 0 2 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

CANAL 1 8 4 1 1 8 5 0 1 8 6 2 1 9 0 3 1 9 3 31 9 3 6 1 9 4 2 1 9 5 12 9 51 5 9 5 7 1 9 7 2 1 9 8 2 1 9 8 7 2 0 0 21 0 0 4 2 0 12 3 0 1 5 “Friends” Delaware Valley Hal C. Clark takes Virginia R. Friends Delaware Delaware Canal Vision ORGANIZATION hosts Peer Protective over the Delaware Forrest of the Canal Study, New Partnerships to Peer EVENTS Association Valley Protective founds the Dela Master Plan for a New Era Canal organized by Association Bucks -ware Conference William F. Taylor. County Canal Delaware Canal 21 Conservation formed formed Alliance

Historic Lumberville covered Damaging Damaging Delaware River REGIONAL ‘01 ‘04 ‘05 ‘06 Damaging Lehigh Valley Damaging toll bridge washed away floods floods flood of record EVENTS floods becomes America’s floods Damaging floods leading iron Levittown built producing region Hurricane 2 0 0 5 2 0 1 2 Hurricane Connie Ivan 1 9 0 0 1 9 2 8 Hurricane Hurricane Sandy WEATHER Okeechobee Hurricane Diane Tropical Storm Katrina Great Galveston Allison EVENTS Hurricane Hurricane 2 0 1 1 1 9 9 9 Hurricane Irene Hurricane Floyd Tropical Storm Lee

Delaware Canal DRAFT July 9 2015

http://www.williampennfoundation.org/ http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ http://www.delawareandlehigh.org/ http://www.delawarecanal21.org/ http://www.fodc.org/ http://www.simonecollins.com/ Please tell us how you see it.

Image 15

The LA incorporated layers of historic data in a compelling graphic to visualize the Canal “era” within context of world-wide changes. The Delaware Canal was the last towpath-era canal to be built and last to cease commercial operations in 1931. Sunbury & Erie Railroad Company LOCATION Our Stories About the Delaware Canal - CENTRAL Our Stories About the Delaware Canal - NORTH asOur told at Vision Stories Study Public About Meetings July the14th, 15th, Delaware and 16th, 2015 Canal - CENTRAL Our Stories About the Delaware Canal - SOUTH as told at Vision Study Public Meetings July 14th, 15th, and 16th, 2015

“Home of two signers1 of the Declaration of Independence and BORDEN 78 BLOOMSBURY Constitution. Washington also planned battle of TrentonHAMILTON at TOWN Meeting Dates GREENWICH “My backyard (all woods) Summerseat. I love the riverfront preserve, dog park, birding TRENTON LOPATCONG EWING boarders the canal. I frequently and wildlife sighting, beautiful.” Meeting Dates 30 D&R find small (3” diameter) pieces Can “I enjoy Washington al T August 14th, Riegelsville BETHLEHEM of coal in the woods that were “Showing friends howr astrongil the ALEXANDRIA Crossing, all the history, 95 thrown by riders of the barges. ice was, I found myself inside the 22 August 14th, Riegelsville walking the tow path, and There is also an iron tie up for the canal.” WEST AMWELL crossing the river to the barges.” 10 31 DELAWARE 29 P August 15th, New Hope Ted Stiles“I loved ice skating 25 towpath.” “Here is the A.O. Martin Preservefrom Washington “Wide-waters, concrete arch over canal August 15th, New Hope “I live next to the Aquetong Washington Crossing 202 Aqueduct and I get a kick out of Crossing to New Hope spectacular beauty and Falls of the Calhoun Street.” “Married at Lambertville “The Yellow Throated Historic & State Park ) MORRISVILLE Sourlands several times during the h 32 August 16th, Morrisville all the walkers who stop and try to wildlife.” 28 Delaware t Station along the river and Warbler, now a rare Bucks “Enjoyed canoe a Openspace HOPEWELL year. I lived in Washington “I enjoy kayaking and p “My father, swimming in early 60’s KINGWOOD figure out what’s happening with rentals here many, w learned to row at swan creek PA breeder is heard here o Morrisville Crossing.” walking the Yardley - T allegedly found corpse in the water. 22 “We spent as high August 16th, the intersection of the creek and 32 l rowing. It would be great to throughout the summer. 24 many years ago.” a Morrisville area. I grew an He also took boats and refrigerator HOLLAND school sweet hearts, the canal.” 26 rail C “My family member have Odette’s along the canal 19 Soldiers Graves Sycamores are nal T P are PHILLIPSBURG up along canal.” Ca aw out for races in the water.” “Here is the oldest concrete arch bridge in PA over summer of 1982-83 water was a lock tender R (Del 78 reopened.” the favorite trees of this bird.” D& 27 rail 33 canal. I would love to ice skate on canal again. It needs skiing at my grandmother on Upper Black Eddy 18 “I lived here in 23 &L T D 1 aggressive policy to control flooding. The historic home in Upper Black Eddy.” 60’s, and loved 32 ALPHA lock.” “Ralph walked with William O. 10MILFORD11 FRENCHTOWN canal barge rides.” “Here, the Washington character needs to be saved. Open all culvert crossings P Hal H Clark 5 Douglas 6 miles from Bristol to “Biking the 20 Revolutionary War ELEMENT P Crossing 611 over canal to bridges.” Giving Pond County Park below Wheatsheaf Road.” 19 towpath to Dilly’s.” cemetery accessible by Hough’s Loors 2 “It is a special walking elaware Canal Towpath) 34 “My Great 17 (D 7 Thomas F. LAMBERTVILLE 22 towpath only!” rail Creek P P Island “This will be a prime Bucks Grandmother is experience along New L T 6 Brock YARDLEY Brenden P D&L Trail (Delawar 18 D&R Canal Trail & e Ca Hope section. Also up to D Aqueduct P na Virginia Forrest.” 20 Creek County park at former sand DCNR l T 40 Hewitt k Newbold Preserve ow 32 “One of the most Center Bridge.” Stoney Run e 22 and gravel quarry where the Park Office pa 16 e Aqueduct 60 Upper Black th STOCKTON 21 Park r Island “ I have lived on this ) scenic beautiful P 24 P Aqueduct C B ringing rocks trail will connect to Eddy D&R Canal Trail k r Wy-Hit-Tuk section since ’96. I never sections between the s e o EASTON P Lockatong Solebury Township Trail ’ c the D&L trail. It will also provide a e On September 15, 2001, the Point h k r D Pohatcong tire of the beauty of the hillside and wetland, Centre Bridge C “Here, there are four barges buried. They

Park Creek Hendrick’s g 532 FALLS D POHATCONG new access point to the towpath in C r & 11 u

shadedTinicum and quiet.” Pleasant Community Association Ingham Creek 10 95 e were left when the war stopped and buried e Park towpath and river beyond.”

L an area that is sorely lacking.” Farm Island 9 Brownsburg o k e

l 12 celebrated the re-opening of the Tohickon c k w a T “Raubsville Park Aqueduct 8 H u because they couldn’t be raised. State 3 9 32 B

78 r Conservation

a Aqueduct, four days after 9-11. The

a spillway water archeologist has confirmed their existence.”

k i

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( “We discovered the canal and river by accident on an community decided after working nine years e e NEW D fall into the river.” Erwinna a 35 e

r e P exploratory trip, and fell in love with Rieglesville and r & l 32 with state and federal partners, the best way a Whippoorwill T BRIDGETON 13 w 1 C Ringing l HOPE Bowman’s Tower Durham. We moved here in 1979, and have great L a Old Sow Island to show respect, resolve and unity was to a r Island P Virginia

e 232 e admiration for the rural character of this area. The new LOWER MAKEFIELD Rocks n P 263 & Wildflower Preserve ho h C P acknowledge our American achievement Forrest

a a c g i bridge over the canal in Riegelsville turned out extremely “In 2015, after 32 i

n r a together behind the old firehouse. It was anC Recreation Area k Dolington 1 h l well, even if it was long time coming.” e T Tinicum years, we re-united and e J ADMINISTRATIE T o R wp Raubsville 4 PA State Game Lands emotional day. e r a r a th) Creek 17 purchased our own 14 & i C l D TULLYTOWN WEST P Raubs “Walking bridge property together in Point Aqueduct g 212 23 Island across canal to k 32 Bull’s n EASTON Pleasant on the river.” “Our home for the past 32 202 o Theodore 22 e 32 t UPPER MAKEFIELD e 13

GLENDON Roosevelt Borough Park.” r years. Found it in JanuaryIsland ’83 e ail

u r C r T

Horth Recreation Area 5 while ice skating on the canal 30 q o e t A g

“The Riegelsville Inn is right on the m a and bought it a few weeks later.” c Woodhill D it WILSON Conservation u r e canal and bike friendly! Great place c & Kleinhan’s i 15 n He L Easement n r n i D&R Canal Trail to stop on the trail!” e o Meeting Dates T v

Creek T i

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16 a “Here are Native

PA State Game Lands 95 r Aqueduct i e

P “A.O. Martin 20 15 l a

Mariton American artifacts at w Lynns Lumberville ( D e 12 Concrete open a 611 l Durham cave, adjacent Wildlife l Riegelsville e Island August 14th, a

Paunnacussing Creek H o p FLORENCE P spandrel bridge.” w to canal.” D a a Santuary w 50 r 7 8 e L

l 78 PALMER m e Paunnacussing Ne C Ralph Stover a

h “Here is B.A.B., or e Gallow’s Run o o n i Durham k n t a

r RIEGELSVILLE c Creek Aqueduct g TINICUM i k

Cree l - State Park August 15th, New Hope “Bare Ass Beach”, Aqueduct h T B h 13 n

o 14 o Aqueduct T

w e R w where Ralph swam in the P p

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Point t 1930s withBURLINGTON his friends Kintersville s h l e e Frys Run ) 13

Boat Tohickon Creek e r P l h 21

n 4

y u Morrisville a Commission Aqueduct Pleasant August 16th,

m 232 R a 532

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Northampton County Pineville Burlington BETHLEHEM 611 Legend Village P Canal Bridge P Public Parking 95 3 Island 212 De Delaware Canal State Park SectionDelaware River Section Section 8 LANGHORNE 78 laware Canal 2 Stream Parks/Open Space River Bridge Missing Segment 1 PA Municipalities LANGHORNE 0 10 Site Map LOWER SAUCON Roadway Existing Trail Dam Canal Lock SUMMARY DETAILS BACKSTORY NORTHAMPTON MANOR PENNDEL HULMEVILLE 0 1 2 NJ Municipalities Proposed Trail Aqueduct July 24 2015 Image 16 BEDMINSTER Scenic1 Drive 2 Mile Marker 3 SPRINGFIELD BENSALEM

The LA-lead team encouraged the public to tell their personal stories about the Delaware Canal at public meetings. The LA recorded the oral recollections and mapped them geo- graphically. “It’s our Canal” was a common sentiment along the entire 60-mile alignment.