WELL ON OUR WAY – CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
We are getting much closer to our long-awaited vision of water flowing once more in our beloved canal. The Lumberville Aqueduct is completed and the High Falls Creek sub-canal culvert should be completed by the beginning of 2026. The last project, a PennDOT road repair in Raubsville, is currently underway. We anticipate water may be able to flow again once the construction machinery in the canal is removed in early spring.
LUMBERVILLE AQUEDUCT UPDATE
The Lumberville Aqueduct, required the complete replacement of the original structure, which was destroyed during Tropical Storm Ida. One of the main reasons the old aqueduct failed was its design. The failed aqueduct was supported, in part, by a center pier. When Ida and subsequent heavy rain events occurred in September of 2021, the center pier created a debris dam as the torrent of water from the Paunacussing Creek carried tree limbs, rocks, and other material downstream. Eventually, the pressure and weight of the build-up caused the aqueduct to fail.
The solution was to engineer a new design with a clear 54-foot span, supported by micropiles drilled into the ground and through the existing masonry abutments, providing a strong foundation-bearing capacity and lateral stability for the new structure. This design was respectful of the historic nature of the existing masonry abutments while reducing construction time and overall cost. And, it creates a clear path for the flow of water below.
The new towpath walk adjacent to the aqueduct features a contemporary, streamlined design. It is 58 feet long and 6 feet wide, providing room for two-directional pedestrian traffic.
The construction of the aqueduct is a small marvel, and we are amazed by the hard work and dedication of the construction team who made it a reality. This team cast approximately 507 cubic yards of concrete in place and installed another 350 feet of precast prestressed concrete beams to support the aqueduct. To put that in perspective, 500 cubic yards of concrete is enough material for a large-scale commercial building slab.
Given the numbers, we are confident this structure will withstand the test of time and challenging weather events.
HIGH FALLS SUB-CANAL CULVERT UPDATE
The High Falls Project, received attention and input from many agencies, including FEMA, the Pennsylvania Museum and Historic Commission, and the Department of conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) engineers, National Park Service and consultants.
And with good reason: over time, it became apparent that the previous sub-culvert designs at High Falls were inadequate and could not handle the water flow generated by significant storm events.
When Ida came through, the entire culvert and towpath were washed away, leaving a gaping expanse. The engineering solution was to create a much larger culvert structure capable of handling a torrent of water. Today, the improved design is in place, and final work on the canal prism is underway.
The new culvert is constructed from precast arch sections measuring 25’8″ wide and 8’10” tall with a length of over 95 feet. The former culvert could carry about 232 cubic feet per second of water. The new culvert can handle a very impressive 904 cubic feet of water per second, more than tripling the capacity of previous designs.
This new sub-canal culvert is an example of engineering for worst-case, not just in case. DCNR has repaired the High Falls culvert many times, and hopefully, this one will be the last.
The Friends are grateful for the money, time, and hard work that went into completing these vital infrastructure projects that will help ensure the Delaware Canal and towpath remain essential economic and recreational resources for years to come.
FORGING THE FUTURE OF THE DELAWARE CANAL WITH THE 2032 PLAN
No one has a crystal ball to predict what will happen over the next 10 years, but we can be proactive and plan for the next generation. In essence, that is what the 2032 Plan is all about. It is a collaborative effort that began three years ago and incorporates rigorous research to develop a careful design that can serve as a blueprint for the future of the Delaware Canal.
At a recent gathering of Friends, Brett Webber, FODC Board President, described the project. “It was one of the largest levels of engagement for a public process to go through”, said Brett Webber, FODC Board President, as he described the initial phase of developing the 2032 Plan for the Delaware Canal. “We had planning workshops from Easton to Bristol and online engagement for commenting on the workshop input.”
The Friends also posted signs along the towpath with QR codes that linked to a questionnaire. The results were impressive: over 1,500 people responded, and we incorporated this valuable public feedback into the plan.
This input helped inform the initial focus of the 2032 Plan. And, it was used to help FODC, in partnership with the Delaware Canal State Park staff, identify key projects that would add the most value to the visitor experience.
Brett Webber outlined three initial large-scale capital projects from Easton to Bristol. “These projects have been selected based on need, timing, availability of land, and civil and governmental cooperation. The focus of the Giving Pond project is towpath connections. The Lumberville project will improve and provide safe access to the canal. And in New Hope, a new ramp and crosswalk will address safety concerns and accessibility from Lock 11 to the River House,” continued Webber.
Here are the highlights of each:
• At the Giving Pond, the plan establishes connections between the Delaware Canal State Park and the pond. The Friends looked at trail connections and the feasibility of pathways and new connections to the heart of the park.
• In Lumberville, the Friends studied how to connect River Road to the canal. This is critical because it would also improve access to the Bull’s Island pedestrian bridge as well.
• In New Hope, the Friends want to increase ease of access and address safety concerns. This vision includes an improved crosswalk along with a ramp structure—an elevated walkway—that will seamlessly connect to the towpath.
The concession building, located just south of the Locktender’s House in New Hope, will also get a makeover, including a large-scale map of the canal with amenities, access points and historic features. The online version of the map will be a digital resource, a living map, that will be integrated into the new website as a tool for the Friends to illustrate these capital projects.
Along with access and amenities, the Friends are focused on restoring the canal to a fully-watered and useful state. This will require invasive vegetation removal from the canal bed. Before we move forward, the Friends must conduct an aquatic environmental study which is required by DCNR.
To help pay for the study, the Friends have formed a strategic partnership with DC21, a local canal-focused nonprofit. This study will monitor the impact of the plant removal from Canal Park to Rabbit Run over three seasons. Initially, the Friends will focus on vegetation removal from Centre Bridge to New Hope, including Lock 11. The approach used in this section of the canal could be the blueprint for developing a process that the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources can replicate and use to manage vegetation not only in the canal but in other waterways.
“An environmental and cost-effective method for vegetation removal will allow us to maximize the use of a watered canal. This could include the introduction of water taxis or the re-introduction of mule-drawn canal boats. Once we clear the water, we can get activity back on the water.” concluded Webber.
We sometimes forget that our canal and towpath are unique assets to our area. It is a park like no other. It can’t be replicated or replaced, so we must protect and improve it for future generations. It is an exciting time to be a Friend of the Delaware Canal!
WORLD CANALS CONFERENCE RE-CAP
Each year, canal enthusiasts and professionals come together to learn about how to maximize the impact canals can have on a local economy and how to best manage this resource.
This year’s conference was held in Buffalo, New York, highlighting the Erie Canal and celebrating its 200th anniversary. The Erie Canal continues to play a significant role in the towns and cities along its path. Key topics included trends in waterway tourism and management, as well as historic preservation and accessibility. In all, 10 countries and 22 states were represented at the conference.
The theme year was “Sustaining our Multidimensional Inland Waterways,” and both Michael Ginder, FODC Executive Director, and Brett Webber, FODC Board President, were invited to present at the conference. Our representatives discussed not only the history of the Delaware Canal but also the importance of preserving its infrastructure while looking to the future.
Brett Webber introduced the Delaware Canal 2032 plan, an ambitious project undertaken by the Friends, in collaboration with an award winning landscape architecture firm and other consultants, to develop an outline for improving access and amenities in high-use areas. Ken Standig, a member of the Friends and a civil engineer by training, helped guide the process.
One of our aspirations for 2032 is to host the World Canal Conference in the Delaware Valley, highlighting the rich history and potential of the canal system in our area. This date is important for several reasons. It marks the 200th anniversary of the Delaware Canal and the 50th anniversary of FODC. It may be seven years in the future, but it is a worthwhile goal.
Help the Friends earn income while you shop—Introducing ShopRaise!
Did you know you can help preserve and protect the historic Delaware Canal every time you shop online? It’s easy—and free—with ShopRaise!
HOW IT WORKS:
When you make everyday purchases through the ShopRaise app or browser extension, a portion of your total is donated to Friends of the Delaware Canal at no extra cost to you.
WHY IT MATTERS:
Your support helps maintain the canal’s towpath, safeguard wildlife habitats, promote local history, and keep the canal a beautiful place for everyone to enjoy. Small actions add up—and this one couldn’t be simpler.
READY TO HELP?
1 Download the ShopRaise app or browser extension
2 Select Friends of the Delaware Canal as your cause
3 Shop from your favorite stores
4 Make an impact with every purchase
5 Let’s keep the Delaware Canal flowing strong—together!
The link to sign up is: https://shopraise.com/support/fodc
Double the Impact of Your Donation
Our annual end-of-year appeal is one of our two primary fundraising campaigns. And while we don’t often ask for money, this year’s appeal is very special.
In November, a generous anonymous donor committed to matching all donations from FODC members and supporters, up to $10,000, You can double the impact of your donation if you contribute before January 31, 2026.
It is an excellent opportunity to support a cause you care about, knowing your dollars will go even further than before.
It’s easy to donate online using this QR code (you will need a QR reader app on your phone), or you can use the form on our website. Mailing your donation, of course, still works every time.
We thank you for your continued support and look forward to a busy and productive 2026.
APPLAUDING THE EFFORTS OF THE PARK STAFF
Practically every Monday, when we arrived at the office, we received one or more emails from our dedicated Canal Tenders alerting us to issues on the towpath. Most of these alerts were for downed trees—some for large debris in the canal. We even had one Canal Tender report a car abandoned on the towpath.
Once we alert the park managers, the park crew gets busy, chopping, hauling, and clawing through each obstruction. And if keeping up with downed trees were not enough of a challenge, there is the general mowing and maintaining of the towpath and canal bank. Despite their small team and nearly 60-mile-long park to maintain, the park crew stayed determined to keep the path clean and clear this year.
Now, in anticipation of water flowing again, the staff is busy removing trees and large plants that have grown up in the prism during the dewatered state. Removing this material must be done with care to avoid damaging the canal bed, which can require additional time and effort to do it right.
Throughout the year, we received emails and phone calls from towpath users who were impressed with the Park maintenance crew and their response time. The Friends and our Canal Tenders were too. We are so grateful for this team’s extra effort, keeping our canal and towpath in shape all season long.
So, the next time you see a DCNR park employee on the towpath, be sure to take a moment to thank them for their effort. It is a big job, and we are glad these park employees are up to the challenge.
Our 38th Annual Canal Walk Created Some Fond Memories
This year, our annual canal walk had special significance. We took a different approach, departing from the past norms established by Will Rivinus, who began the walk back in 1987. Will passed away in June and was memorialized on Sunday, October 12th, just two weeks after we completed the last leg of our 2025 journey.
To better appreciate the canal and towpath throughout the year, we divided our walk into four seasons and began our adventures in March in Point Pleasant, Tinicum and Upper Black Eddy. Later in June, we ventured further north to Easton and, over three weekends, we walked 17 miles. For the year, we hiked over 40 miles of towpath.
Our summer and fall walks were interspersed with a few for ice cream (never a bad thing), and we were hosted by one of our members at their canal-side home in Yardley. Savory and sweet treats were on hand, too, allowing our group of canal walkers to get better acquainted and relax before travelling on.
The Friends want to thank our board member and talented baker and guide, Jeff Connell, for leading our walks and for providing history and colorful tales of a time long past.
We also want to recognize the walkers who came so close to finishing the 2025 walk. Next year, with construction projects completed and towpath access fully restored, we are looking forward to making more Friends and memories together.
