Breaking News & Updates

Water Woes

August 31, 2017

The level of the Delaware River, as measured in Trenton, is at 8.56 ft.   This level is .044 below the level of the New Hope inlet located behind the former Odette’s.  The consequence is that no River water is entering the Canal, and the levels from New Hope to Bristol are slowly dropping.

From Bethany Hare – Assistant Park Manager

The pump at Center Bridge, which allows the Delaware Canal to be watered from Center Bridge south to New Hope, stopped working the other day.  After inspection by a representative from Sander Power Equip Co. it was determined that a piece of the internal impeller assembly had broken.  We are sending it out to be repaired today, but there is about a 2-week turnaround time before we can get the part back and replaced in the pump in the river.  Replacing the part in the pump is also dependent on river levels being low enough for our equipment to reach the pump out in the river; we do not expect any issues with this but it’s always a potential variable.

Our intention is to return the pump to working order as soon as possible, but with the turnaround time for the part there is risk for a fish kill, which we want to avoid.  Our staff will be watching for any fish in trouble in this stretch as the water continues to drop.  We welcome notifications from visitors/neighbors of fish in need, as well as assistance from volunteers with removing fish and returning them to the river.  If you have any questions, please contact the park office at 610-982-5560.

Closed D&R Canal Towpath Segment to Reopen on Friday Afternoon

August 23, 2017

Closed New Jersey Canal Towpath Segment to Reopen Friday Afternoon Towpath to Remain Open after Labor Day Holiday Weekend

Centre Bridge Pump Not Operating

August 28, 2017

The pump at Centre Bridge, which provides water for the 3-mile section of Canal from Centre Bridge to Lock 11 in New Hope, stopped operating yesterday.  The Park has determined that it is a mechanical problem, and the maintenance staff will address it tomorrow.

D&R Canal Towpath to be Closed in Scudder Falls Bridge Area

DELAWARE & RARITAN CANAL TOWPATH SECTION TO CLOSE 24/7

FOR 10 DAYS IN VICINITY OF SCUDDER FALLS BRIDGE

Closure to be in Effect Aug. 23 through Sept. 1

EWING, NJ – A short section of the Delaware & Raritan Canal towpath in the vicinity of the Scudder Falls (I-95) Bridge will be closed on a 24/7 basis from August 23 through September 1, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission announced today.

The uninterrupted 10-day suspension of towpath access is needed to ensure the public’s safety during a new construction phase for the Scudder Falls Bridge Rehabilitation Project. This phase will involve large cranes and other pieces of construction equipment in close proximity to the towpath on the New Jersey side of the bridge.

The closure is expected to go into effect around 6 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23. The plan is to reopen the affected towpath segment in time for the three-day Labor Day holiday weekend around 5 p.m. Sept. 1.

Bicyclists, pedestrians and other recreationists are urged to plan other routes or excursions during the towpath closure period.

A suggested travel alternative for long-distance bicyclists is to use Pennsylvania’s Delaware Canal towpath by crossing the Delaware River via the walkways at the Calhoun Street Bridge in Trenton (downstream) and the Washington Crossing Bridge in Hopewell Township (upstream).

Note: Bicyclists are prohibited from riding in the vehicular lanes of the Calhoun Street and Washington Crossing bridges. Bicyclists must dismount and walk their bikes across the pedestrian walkways at both of these bridges.

More information and videos on the bridge replacement project are available at www.scudderfallsbridge.com.

Water is flowing through the site of the Tinicum blowout.

Water is flowing past the site of the blow-out directly north of the Tinicum Aqueduct. Bi-State Construction completed the construction of a temporary channel to allow Lehigh water to once again head south to New Hope. Hooray!

Work to begin on temporary water channel

Monday, August 14, 2017

Today Bi-State Construction started preparations for the construction of a channel to carry Lehigh River water southward through the Tinicum Aqueduct blow-out area.   Work will start in earnest on Wednesday and may be completed as soon as Friday.

Water Is Again Flowing from Centre Bridge to New Hope

July 28, 2017

Bi-State Construction has removed the temporary roadway and the pipes from the Lower Limeport Bridge construction site.  The Centre Bridge pump has been restarted, and water is making its way south.

Water Level in New Hope Section Dropped Due to Construction

July 21, 2017

The water level in the Canal from Centre Bridge to Lock 11 in New Hope dropped today.  The contractors, who are finishing the replacement of the Lower Limeport Bridge, are planning to remove the temporary rock bridge on Monday.  Water is still being pumped into the Canal at Centre Bridge, and the section will be monitored for problems over the weekend.  A normal level of water should be restored as soon as the contractors are done, according to the Assistant Park Manager.

The towpath has been reopened at the Tinicum Aqueduct.

July 19, 2017

Bi-State Construction has finished stabilizing the area at the blowout north of the Tinicum Aqueduct near Erwinna.   The towpath has been reopened.  Next will come the creation of a means to allow water to flow through the section.

Progress at the Lower Limeport Bridge

July 18, 2017

Bi-State Construction is in the midst of installing the faux camelback trusses on the Lower Limeport Bridge south of Centre Bridge.