Canal News – Spring 2024
Survey Says?
Early this year, we asked our members for input on our programs and events. We wanted to know not only what people liked in the past but what they would like to see more of in the future. Happily, we had over 160 respondents who provided useful input that will help us develop and expand some of the things you like the most.
View the PDFCanal News – Late Winter 2024
Family-Friendly Towpath Adventures
We’re highlighting a few of our favorite things to explore along the canal. We like them because they have nearby parking, some have restrooms or a portable toilet, and all provide an interactive experience where the whole family can investigate remnants of our past.
View the PDFCanal News – Fall 2023
A Locktender's Life
When you work in a Locktender’s House, you are constantly reminded of the people who once lived here and worked the lock so many years ago. We know from first-person accounts that lock tending was a demanding, low-wage job.
View the PDFCanal News – Summer 2023
Delaware Canal - The Inn Place to Be
Hotels and inns began to flourish after the Canal opened in 1832. Many of the historic inns remain, most for public use, while some are private homes. Starting in the north, we revisit some of the inns and provisioners that have been around for centuries.
View the PDFCanal News – Spring 2023
The Magnificent Mule
Few people who lived and worked along the Canal could imagine building a life without the mule. Mules, it is said, were the engines of the Canal. Or put another way, the workhorses moving coal from Mauch Chunk (present-day Jim Thorpe) to Bristol.
View the PDFCanal News – Winter 2023
Photographic Inspiration Along the Canal
The Canal inspires artists of every kind who capture the beauty of this landscape. Two outstanding photographers generously share their talent with us weekly – Carole Mebus and Judy Greger. Hats off to Carole and Judy for their skill, artistry and willingness to share with all of us.
View the PDFCanal News – Fall 2022
Pennsylvania 2022 Trail of the Year
The Friends of the Delaware Canal received the Trail of the Year Award from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The timing for this recognition is perfect. It coincides with the Friends’ 40th anniversary.
View the PDFCanal News – Summer 2022
The People Who Made It Happen
“Something has to be done!” Many notable people have made significant contributions to the Canal over the years. And, while we can’t mention them all, we can honor those that left a unique legacy for future generations.
View the PDFCanal News – Spring 2022
Celebrating 40 Years
The Friends of the Delaware Canal are celebrating their 40-year anniversary. Since 1982, we have accomplished many things! We are so grateful to the many volunteers and supporters who have helped protect and preserve the Delaware Canal for generations to come.
View the PDFCanal News – Fall 2021
A Season of Change
As the seasons change, the Friends are changing as well. We said farewell to our beloved Executive Director, Susan Taylor, who retired in July. Her fierce advocacy and tireless devotion to the Friends of the Delaware Canal and the waterway we serve spanned three decades.
View the PDFCanal News – Spring 2021
Sharing Stories Virtually
Zoom meetings, webinars, a YouTube channel. The Friends have been changing their storytelling game since March 2020 when we held our last in-person public program. Want to help? We could use someone who is relatively experienced and enthusiastic about making “informal” videos.
View the PDFCanal News – Fall 2020
Construction Countdown Done
After delays and a number of issues, repairs to the Tinicum Aqueduct, its walls and banks are complete. Rewatering the Canal is a complicated task requiring an understanding of past and present conditions, skill, timing, and more than a little bit of luck.
Canal News – Summer 2020
Camelback Bridge Preserved
Extensive repair work on the historic Thompson-Neely Camelback Bridge that crosses the Delaware Canal in the northern section of Washington Crossing Historic Park has been completed. It’s one of six camelback bridges along the Canal that retain their authentic structure.
View the PDFCanal News – Winter 2020
Moving Right Along
Contributions flew in after the Friends’ Annual Appeal letter you to help fund repair of the historic Thompson-Neely Camelback Bridge. The $5,000 matching challenge was met in a flash. To date, just over half of the $78,000 cost of the bridge project has been raised.
View the PDFCanal News – Fall 2019
From ‘Let It Flow’ to ‘No Flow’
In spite of repair and maintenance work, Lehigh River water made it to Centre Bridge by late September, just three miles short of the Lock 11 goal. Late summer news about the Canal from New Hope south to Bristol Borough hasn’t been as good.
View the PDFCanal News – Summer 2019
Let It Flow
The major repair to the stone wall at Lock 20 south of Kintnersville has been completed, sinkholes have been filled, the Park maintenance staff has done some prism clearing, and there are no impediments to having the Lehigh River water flow down the Canal. Knock on wood!
View the PDFCanal News – Spring 2019
Good Riddance
Thanks to generous year-end contributions from our members, the Friends have been able to contract with T&T Tree Service for the removal of some of the most problematic trees along the Canal.
View the PDFCanal News – Winter 2019
Endings at the Beginning of 2019
Three projects that have been on the books or in progress throughout 2018 will be complete before the first daffodils start to bloom this spring: a pedestrian passageway south of Morrisville, a new bridge over the Canal at Phillips’ Mill and the Centre Bridge Pump.
View the PDFCanal News – Fall 2018
Lazy Summer Days - Not on the Canal
The summer of 2018 will be remembered for its seemingly unrelenting heat and its abundant rainfall that came down in torrents or tropical showers. The rain both helped and hurt the Canal.
View the PDFCanal News – Summer 2018
Progress, Setbacks and Roadblocks
The Delaware Canal can be “challenging”, and, for the most part, 2018 has been a good illustration. Some projects, like the complicated Phillips’ Mill Bridge replacement, are making headway, yet the Canal is plagued by issues created by the season’s heavy storms.
View the PDFCanal News – Spring 2018
The Time Has Come
The red argillite stone surface of the Canal towpath is showing its age, deteriorating to dust leaving behind an earthen surface punctuated with holes, ruts, and humps. On a sunny day, walking and bicycling require watchfulness. On a rainy day, be prepared for mud and deep puddles.
View the PDFCanal News – Winter 2018
The Canal Gets Signs
Thanks to help from our Friends, four interpretive sign projects will move forward this year. Two involve replacement of sign panels that are the worse for wear after more than 20 years. The other two will create new signs so visitors can better understand what took place at special sites.
View the PDFCanal News – Fall 2017
It’s Confounding
One can never say that dealing with the Delaware Canal is dull – especially this summer. As always, the Friends carry on – planning, implementing and helping, as friends do.
View the PDFCanal News – Summer 2017
Park Manager's Report
All of the sinkholes in the northern section of the park were plugged and repaired. We began re-watering the upper section of the Canal at the end of April, and by mid-May the Canal was watered from Easton to New Hope. This is the first time in years that this section has been completely watered.
View the PDFCanal News – Spring 2017
Woody’s Camelback Bridge is Restored
Woody’s Camelback Bridge is now the fifth of the six authentic camelback bridges to be restored. Randy did a masterful job! The work has been inspected and approved by the State engineers, and all that remains to be done is to stain the wood when it has aged a bit.
View the PDFCanal News – Winter 2017
Four Restored – One in Progress – One to Go
For over a decade, the Friends have been on a quest to ensure the last six camelback bridges are restored. Two of these genuine pieces of history are still in need of work – Woody’s Bridge south of Easton and Spahr’s Bridge in Bridgeton Township.
View the PDFCanal News – Fall 2016
Working Through It
What a summer! It’s been hot, hot, hot, but that hasn’t stopped the action along the Delaware Canal. As always, from sinkholes and sidewalks to wall repairs, pumps and low water levels, the Friends endeavor to meet the Canal’s challenges – in a multitude of ways. One major milestone is the nearly complete reconstruction of the Redfield Bridge just north of Centre Bridge.
Canal News – Summer 2016
Trying Times
The days of May were glorious along the Delaware Canal. In Easton, the abundant water being fed from the Lehigh River filled the Canal all the way south to the Virginia Forrest Recreation Area.
View the PDFCanal News – Spring 2016
In the Continuing Saga
Endings, beginnings, and continuations are all part of this spring’s Delaware Canal news. Fortunately, there is much to report regarding project completions thanks to our generally temperate winter.
View the PDFCanal News – Winter 2016
The State of the Canal
Several projects are underway and nearing completion including the High Falls Creek Culvert replacement, the Centre Bridge Pump, the Airport Road Culvert replacement. The Friends are expressing opposition to the current development plans for the site where Odette’s now stands.
View the PDFCanal News – Fall 2015
Chalking Them Off the List
Cantankerous would be a good adjective to describe the Delaware Canal this summer, but the arrival of September has brought welcome improvement and progress. From a towpath bank collapse in the north to low water levels in the south, here is the Canal’s story.
View the PDFCanal News – Summer 2015
We Carry On
We carry on as two structures fail – the stone arch culvert that carries High Falls Creek under the Canal collapsed, and a section of berm-side stone wall gave way near the David Library of the American Revolution in Washington Crossing.
View the PDFCanal News – Spring 2015
What’s Next?
Shake off the last of the cold and grey of winter past. Get back out on the Canal – walk, bike, run, bird watch, fish, whatever you please… You can also get the satisfaction of making the Canal a safer, more pleasant place to visit. The Friends have three ways that you can help.
View the PDFCanal News – Winter 2015
Thank You So Much!
The New Year is off to a great start thanks to all of you who so generously responded to the Friends’ Year-End Appeal. We asked you to help us do more in 2015, and you did just that. Your contributions have certainly helped to replenish the Canal Improvement Fund.
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