Annual Meeting – Friends of the Delaware Canal

Canal News – Fall 2020

Construction Countdown Done

Rewatering Underway

By the time you receive this newsletter, the repairs to the Tinicum Aqueduct, its walls and banks will be complete. The project, which was anticipated to be finished in July extended into October because of supply delays. The delivery of the pressure-treated, custom lumber for the pedestrian walkway was two months late because of a COVID shutdown at the processing plant, and the lining material for the aqueduct trough was held up at the Canadian border. And those were just the big issues.

The project, necessitated by a major berm bank blowout, evolved into a multi-faceted undertaking to address the aqueduct’s other problems.

• A new concrete wall was constructed to stabilize the berm bank and halt creek-caused erosion.
• The aqueduct pier was repaired and faced with timber to protect the pier and return it to an earlier appearance.
• The mortar joints in the stone abutments were cleaned and redone to halt the extensive leakage.
• The aqueduct, which is a steel trough constructed in the 1950’s, was repaired, repainted, and lined with a rubber epoxy coating to seal the seams between the bottom plating.
• The pedestrian walkway that crosses the aqueduct was entirely replaced.
• The last task was to restore the canal prism and line it with clay.

New walkway on the Tinicum Aqueduct — The new walkway on the Tinicum Aqueduct gets some use.

Up until the completion of the aqueduct project, the canal water supplied by the Lehigh River could only flow to the wastegate located by the Golden Pheasant Inn. Now that the construction is no longer an obstruction, the State Park will endeavor to get the water as far south as possible.

The staff and an outside contractor have been filling sinkholes with flowable fill, removing silt bars that act as partial dams, repairing walls, and removing the many fallen trees as time allows. All with the goal of allowing the Canal to retain and convey as much water as possible.

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.

So, here’s to the water. Far may it flow!

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Always on the Look Out

Hazzard's Bridge — Pete took Josh’s photo while they were both at work on Hazzard’s Bridge

“Hmm, this board isn’t in good shape,” observed Board and Canal Action Team member, Pete Rosswaag, while he was out on one of his bicycle rides near his home in Upper Black Eddy. Right he was.

One of the cap boards on the historic Hazzard’s Camelback Bridge was in need of replacement. Pete and fellow CAT member Josh Gradwohl went into action. They measured, the Friends purchased a new cypress board, Josh picked it up and painted it, and then he and Pete put it in place.

Pete plans to return to do some touch up painting on the rest of the bridge. The Friends’ do watch over the Canal’s Camelbacks.

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Park Manager’s Report

by Devin Buzard

When examining the Delaware Canal through the lens of a National Historic Landmark and contemplating what it truly means to withstand the passage of more than 188 years, it forces time into a new perspective. While I am far from a historian, I have gleaned in the past year that perseverance along with a faith in achieving a better future have shaped the Canal and the surrounding landscape into what we see today.

Mowing the canal path as bikers pass by. — Our work along the Canal continues while many more people use the towpath
this year.

Over the years, nature has battered both the Canal and those who live alongside it, but the perseverance to rebuild and honor the past does not change. As a testament to this statement and despite a year filled with uncertainties, we have seen and will see the completion of three large-scale Canal projects and many other smaller ones that are just as significant.

Two notable projects—both located in Williams Township, Northampton County—were finished in the month of July. Their completion marked the opening of the feeder gate in Easton, and the introduction of Lehigh River water to a 22-mile section of the northern stretch of the Canal.

These two projects were the rebuilding of Fry’s Run Aqueduct and a massive drop gate replacement at Lock 22/23 aka Groundhog Lock. In undertaking these two projects, there was much to learn regarding inspecting the clues of the past construction and applying that knowledge into the new plans, while, at the same time, considering how to provide for the best longevity.

A good example of this would be the simple design of the vertical wickets located on the Lock 22/23 drop gate. Upon observing the wickets of the old gate in operation, one could notice that the water flowing through the wickets typically was directed toward the stone walls of the lock. This ultimately resulted in unwanted scouring and erosion. A new design for the wickets was developed , which retains their historic locations, style and materials, while incorporating an unseen design element that prevents the wickets from turning too far and thus safely diverts the water to the center of the Canal.

As you read this article, it is my hope that the Tinicum Aqueduct repair project will be fully complete. Early in the week of September 28, towpath users could once again cross the aqueduct’s pedestrian bridge and enjoy an uninterrupted trip upon the towpath through Tinicum Township.

As with the two projects mentioned earlier, the completion of the Tinicum Aqueduct will allow for water to once again continue south, and it is the ultimate hope that the water will flow free as far south as nature will allow.

In anticipation of this, the Delaware Canal State Park maintenance staff has been endeavoring to repair known sinkholes and remove gravel bars at the intersections of streams that enter the Canal. These efforts reduce the loss of water and ultimately allow for better control over the f low rates and levels as the water makes its long journey from the Lehigh River in Easton. This flow is meant to continue to the inlet in New Hope near Lock 8, where it is augmented with water from the Delaware River. The combined flows then head south toward Bristol.

In addition to the work being done to provide water, the seasonal mowing has been ongoing. Please continue to be patient as our mowing schedule was greatly interrupted during both the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

The mowing issues occurred because of a temporary loss of a critical piece of mowing equipment in 2019, and then once more in 2020 due to staffing restrictions at the onset of the COVID-19 mitigation efforts and equipment breakdowns. Please know that we are working hard to complete this work and return the Canal to a less wild state.

Looking into the future, I no longer see the uncertainty I felt just three short months ago. With the clarity of reviewing what we have accomplished in relation to the past, I can say with conviction that we are moving forward.
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Events that We’re Missing this October

THE 11TH ANNUAL FACES AND PLACES
A Celebration of the Arts and History along the Canal

Oh, the places that we have toured, the people we’ve met, and the celebrations we’ve had.
And will again!

Boarding a bumpy Bucks County Trolley for the first Faces and Places tour.

THE 33RD ANNUAL CANAL WALK

Hiking 58.9 miles along the Delaware Canal towpath
over the course of five successive Saturdays is a Friends’ tradition that has overcome
many obstacles—floods, construction projects, heat waves, and snow. It will return.

The 2009 Canal Walkers at Groundhog Lock.

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An Untraditional Calendar of Events

POP-UP SHORT WALKS

Locations, Dates, and Times are sent via Constant Contact and posted on fodc.org.

We began our series of “Green Phase” short walks on July 17. After doing six walks at different locations along the Canal, we have a good sense of what works in these unusual times.

To avoid crowds on the towpath and in parking areas, we’ve learned to schedule the walks on weekdays in the later hours of the afternoon. We now know how many reservations to take in advance to yield an acceptable number of participants on the day of the walk, and we know not to post the invitations too far in advance because of
constantly changing conditions. Walkers have been very cooperative about wearing masks and social distancing! Susan Taylor and her portable PA system are still working on being happy together.

Walk along towpath in Tinicum — Taking in Tinicum on September 23

We plan to continue the short walk series through autumn and as winter weather allows. In fact, we divided up the 58.9-milelong Canal into 23 different walk sections, so we have plenty of material. The walk lengths vary from 2.2 to 6.2 miles roundtrip, with most averaging 3 miles. As the seasons change, we anticipate that we can add weekend and morning walks to the schedule.

If you would like to take a walk with the Friends, watch for our Constant Contact e-mails and check out Events on the homepage of www.fodc.org. To date, we have not been posting the walks on our Facebook page because the existing demand has been higher than we can accommodate.

The walks fill very quickly, so don’t hesitate to make your reservations. If you don’t receive our Constant Contact messages, sign up please. It’s the fastest way to receive information.

Hope to walk with you soon!

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The Cares Act can help you help the Friends

We need your generosity more than ever this year. A significant part of our organization’s planned 2020 revenue has been lost because COVID restrictions and precautions have led to the cancellation of all of our fundraising events since March.

The Cares Act graphic The federal Cares Act may provide a way for you to increase your contribution to the Friends. The Act allows you to be more generous with funds that you might otherwise pay in taxes. If you use the standard deduction, as most taxpayers did in 2019, you may take a special charitable deduction of $300 per taxpayer ($600 for a married couple) on your 2020 return. If you itemize, you can give and deduct as much as your entire Adjusted Gross Income.

If you are thinking about making a major gift from your IRA someday, this might be the best year to be especially generous. Thanks to the enhanced benefit to those who itemize deductions, you can withdraw as much as you want from your IRA, donate as much as you want, and deduct the donation. Of course, you need to meet the usual rules for penalty-free IRA withdrawals.

Please do not take our word for it. Learn more by searching “2020 charitable contributions.” For large donations, we recommend consulting a tax advisor.

On November 13, 1789, Benjamin Franklin wrote: “Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”

This year prove Ben wrong, just a bit, by letting your contribution to the Friends reduce your taxes.

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NICE SAVE!

On October 31, the long, narrow Delaware Canal State Park will gain some width in Washington Crossing. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will acquire all 118 acres of the David Library of the American Revolution property as well as the adjoining 25-acre Sol and Rose Woods. The spacious riverfront site, through which the Delaware
Canal runs, will remain open space with public accessibility for everyone to enjoy. John Hallas, Director of the Bureau of State Parks noted, “The site is a perfect location for a canal interpretive center as well as an administrative and maintenance center for the Delaware Canal State Park.”

There will surely be much more news about the acquisition, but, for now, here is a story from the property’s past when it was known as Buckstone Farm.

Ezra Stone in publicity photo on Buckstone Farm. The Library’s founder Sol Feinstone acquired Buckstone Farm in 1945. He and his family lived in the stone farmhouse that is the centerpiece of the property. Sol Feinstone’s son, Ezra Stone, already had become famous playing Henry Aldrich on the popular radio show, “The Aldrich Family.” In September of 1945, Stone was discharged from the Army, and he returned to the cast of the radio show. He stayed with it until the fall of 1949, when sponsors decided to make it a television show. Stone’s association with the show ended because he was almost 30 years-old—too old to be believable as the 14-year-old Henry Aldrich.

This photo was taken in the late 1940’s and was included in the archives of the David Library. Its story isn’t definitively known, but it is probable that Ezra Stone invited his cast mates to visit him at his father’s home. They turned it into a working weekend by taking publicity shots with holiday themes. In this shot, House Jameson (Mr. Aldrich), Ezra Stone (Henry Aldrich), and Jackie Kelk (Henry’s friend Homer) are out on the Buckstone Farm grounds hunting for the Thanksgiving turkey. The Canal, out of view, and the lawn leading to the Delaware River are in the background.

The Friends are thankful that the David Library property will be preserved and remain accessible to the public and so pleased to have even more stories to tell about what happened along the Delaware Canal.

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A 9-11 Bench Returns

Putting the replaced 9-11 Bench to use are Friends’ member Barbara Heisler,
representing the Martha Washington Garden Club; and Canal Action Team
members, Josh Gradwohl and Jerry Taylor, who installed the bench on a very
humid day.

One of the teak benches placed along the Delaware Canal in memory of the eighteen Bucks County residents who perished on September 11, 2001 has been replaced thanks to the care and generosity of the members of the Martha Washington Garden Club.

The bench honors William (Billy) Kelly, Jr., a Yardley Borough resident. Its placement along the towpath just north of Woodside Road is near his hometown and close to the landing for the Scudder Falls Bridge walkway, which is to open in 2021. Those who sit on the bench in the summertime can enjoy the native, bright red Cardinal Flowers blooming. This area is one of the few spots along the Canal where they grow in relative abundance.

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We’ll be Ready

“Do the PA/NJ Canal Loops” is a recreational opportunity that the Friends of the Delaware Canal introduced to the public in 2005. Since then, it has become one of the most popular features of both the Delaware Canal in Pennsylvania and the Delaware & Raritan Canal in New Jersey attracting increasing numbers of visitors each year. The five loops connected by six bridges spur more cross river usage from bicyclists and hikers, who are happy to discover new places and not backtrack.

A new Canal Loop will be available next year when the walkway attached to the I-295 Scudder Falls Bridge opens. This sixth loop will provide new, shorter looping routes in the southern end of the Canal. The routes will be:
• Leave the Delaware Canal towpath at Washington Crossing, PA > cross the river bridge at Washington Crossing > enter the D&R Canal towpath at Washington Crossing, NJ > follow the D&R south to Ewing, NJ > cross the Scudder Falls Bridge > rejoin the Delaware Canal towpath in Lower Makefield, PA > then follow the Delaware Canal back to Washington Crossing PA. A 6.7-mile loop.
• Leave the Delaware Canal towpath in Lower Makefield, PA > cross the Scudder Falls Bridge > enter the D&R Canal towpath at Ewing, NJ > follow the D&R south to Trenton, NJ > cross the Calhoun Street Bridge > rejoin the Delaware Canal towpath in Morrisville, PA > then follow the Delaware Canal back to Lower Makefield, PA. A 10.6 mile loop.

When the new Scudder Falls walkway opens, the existing loop trail map and signs will be obsolete. Anticipating that fine day, the Friends developed a plan to create a new map, incorporate that map into fourteen signs that will replace the signs that now stand by the loop crossing points in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and install two new sign bases at the landings at either end of the Scudder Falls pedestrian walkway.

The $4,500 project has been funded by a $3,000 tourism grant from the Bucks County Conference and Visitors Bureau and $1500 contribution from Friends’ members and Washington Crossing residents, Barbara and Gordon Heisler. Our hearty thanks to both for investing in the potential benefits of the sixth loop. The redesign of the map is already underway, and the new sign panels should be fabricated by early 2021. The Friends’ Canal Action Team will be set to do the installations when the appropriate time arrives.
We’re looking forward to the day.

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NEED SOME DIVERSION?

Painted Turtle Along Towpath — The Painted Turtle is waiting for you to put together its pieces. PHOTO: Carole Mebus

Try piecing together our growing collection
of online jigsaw puzzles featuring the beauty
and wildlife of the Delaware Canal. You can
choose the number of pieces, so the extent
of the challenge is up to you. Find the Jigsaw
Puzzle Archive at fodc.org/jigsaw-puzzles.

P.S. For those of you who prefer an old fashioned
puzzle, we hope to have another
one to offer as a fundraiser next year. Would
you like an image of a bald eagle, a great blue
heron, or…?

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PUMP IN WAITING

The centrifugal pump, which will draw water from the Delaware River for the benefit of the Canal when it is water starved, is sitting at the northern section of Washington Crossing Historic Park ready to be dropped into the River and hooked up. The service “road” down to the River was installed this summer and has already
come to the notice of local emergency service providers f or use in river rescues.

By August during a typical year, the Delaware River level would have dropped below the New Hope inlet, and the Canal would be without a water supply. This year, the summer was unusually rainy, and the level wasn’t an issue until mid-September. Fortunately, the rain soon returned and improved water flow.

The rainy summer was advantageous in that there are still two small hurdles to jump before the pump can be put into operation. The PA Fish and Boat Commission must approve the pump intake, and the Delaware River Basin Commission must give its final approval.

At this point in the season, it seems that the best decision is to wait until next spring to drop the pump into the River saving on equipment wear and tear and electricity costs. The pump saga continues.

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SHARING THE TOWPATH TRAIL: MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER

Our appreciation for all that nature has to offer has soared during these strange times. Here in our backyard, there has been a considerable increase in the number of visitors taking advantage of local, County, and State parks. At the Delaware Canal State Park, visitation has increased by 40% with peaks up to 100%.

We are happy to see so many people taking advantage of the Canal towpath; however, this surge has created some friction among visitors. Navigating the crowds on foot or on a bike
can be challenging, so here are some tips to keep in mind.

Signal your intentions
Whether you are jogging, biking, walking your dog, or riding a horse, it is important to alert others of your intentions. Let your fellow trail users know you are coming and give a clear warning signal before passing on a bike. A friendly greeting or bell is considerate and works well. Indicate “On your left” when passing on the left.

Slow it down
When biking along the towpath, be sure to slow down when passing other trail users or going through the towns and hamlets along the way. A slower pace not only eliminates the risk of alarm or injury, but it encourages a pace ideal for taking in the scenery and wildlife.

Be aware
The towpath is only 12 or so-feetwide, so keep this in mind and avoid wandering onto private property. Be mindful of low bridge clearances and limited lines of sight, and be prepared to walk a bicycle under these structures when necessary. When in a group, use no more than half of the trail so you don’t block the flow of other users. And to help keep the towpath clean, pick-up along the way.

Horse, bikes and dog walkers on the towpath What’s wrong with this picture?
Answer: The dog walker and equestrians are yielding to the bicyclists. Trail use rules say that bicyclists should yield to all types of users. Also, the bicyclists are not wearing helmets, increasing the probability of incurring serious injury in a fall.

The Delaware Canal towpath is a very popular destination now. It has attracted the attention of travel writers and day-trippers alike.
Let’s all do what we can to ensure trail users have a naturally wonderful experience.

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Canal News – Fall 2019

From ‘Let It Flow’ to ‘No Flow’

In our last newsletter, we shared the State Park goal of having water from the Lehigh River flow south in the Canal from Easton to New Hope this summer. In spite of repair and maintenance work, the Lehigh River water did, indeed, make it all the way to Centre Bridge by late September, just three miles short of the Lock 11 goal. (In fact, the Canal looked more beautiful than it has in many a year during the Friends’ Canal Walks on September 28 and October 5.) This accomplishment did prove that the Canal can be watered in the northern end.

Ccan view South from Tinicum Aqueduct — The view south from the Tinicum Aqueduct on October 5.

The late summer news about the Canal from New Hope south to Bristol Borough hasn’t been as good. The water levels in the Canal were fine through spring and mid-summer, but then the Delaware River dropped quickly. The river level dropped below the level of the New Hope inlet and continues to be down. Since the entire southern end of the Canal is supplied with Delaware River water through this inlet, the Canal is water starved. (This occurs when the reading at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) gauge at Trenton is “9 feet” or below.)

Now we are faced with having the entire Canal dewatered for an extended period of time because of construction and repair projects. The Park staff began dewatering the Canal on October 7 because of restrictions related to the habits and habitat of the Eastern Red Belly Turtle, a Pennsylvania threatened species. Find out more about these turtles on page 7.

Loftus Construction has been given “notice to proceed” with the replacement of the Kleinhans (aka Fry’s Run) Aqueduct at a cost of $780,000. The aqueduct, located 6.8 miles south of Easton, failed after a local torrential downpour. Fortunately, it is the shortest aqueduct on the Delaware Canal, and many of the component parts are being pre-fabricated. The contract length is not to exceed 270 day after commencement.

Temporaty pipes at failed Tinicum Aqueduct — The Park has maintained flow in the Canal by running water through temporary pipes at the failed Kleinhans Aqueduct.

The repair of the bank blowout and the steel trough of the Tinicum Aqueduct was put out to bid and is currently pending the award process. The estimated amount for this repair is between $1 and $1.4 million with the contract length not to exceed 270 days.

Another torrential rainfall caused the berm bank north of the aqueduct to collapse, dumping the Canal’s water into Tinicum Creek. The temporary solution to maintaining water flow has been to fabricate canal banks with highway Jersey barriers and lining the channel with pool liner. This project will also address the holes in the aqueduct steel trough and the leakage through the stone walls. Unfortunately, the replacement of the steel trough with a real aqueduct structure has been postponed into the future.

The towpath in the vicinity of both the Kleinhans Aqueduct and the Tinicum Aqueduct projects will be closed to the public during the construction period.

In addition to these two major construction projects, the Park staff will take advantage of the dewatered Canal by replacing the drop gate at Locks 22/23 at the Theodore Roosevelt Recreation Area in Raubsville, undertaking a variety of repairs, and removing silt bars and trees.

The Canal from New Hope to Bristol Borough will remain in its low water state while several projects are completed. The canal prism will be relined in the vicinity of Airport Road in Bristol Township preventing canal water from infiltrating into adjoining properties. The Friends plan to repair the historic Thompson-Neely Camelback bridge this winter, and the Park will be dredging and removing trees.

With all this news comes the promise by the State Park that water will be restored as soon as it can possibly be.

And through it all, please keep the vision of the Canal at its fully watered best in your head because step by step we’re getting there.

rusint trough of Tinicum Aqueduct — The rusting trough of the Tinicum Aqueduct will be repaired.

Leaking stone walls at the Tinicum Aqueduct — The leaks in the stone walls of the aqueduct will be plugged.

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Welcome, Devin!

Cindy Adams Dunn, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary, announced the appointment of Devin Buzard as manager of the Delaware Canal State Park Complex on August 30. Jumping right into the partnering aspects of his new job, Devin introduced himself at the Friends of the Delaware Canal Board meeting on September 3.

Devin’s experience managing some of the Commonweath’s more heavily visited parks will serve him well as he takes on the task of dealing with not only the 58.9-mile-long canal, but also the 90-acre Giving Pond, eleven river islands, a stretch of the Nockamixon Cliffs, miles of river shoreline, and the Ralph Stover State Park.

New Park Manager, Kevin Buzard — New Manager Devin Buzard at Lock 19 and Park Headquarters

“ I’m looking forward to continuing to build, sustain, and develop strong partnerships with those who know and appreciate these two parks, as well as the many community groups that support outdoor recreation and conservation in the area,” said Devin about his appointment.

Beginning his career with DCNR’s Bureau of State Parks in 2011, Devin worked as field training coordinator with the Park Operations and Maintenance Division in Harrisburg. In 2013, he was appointed manager of Beltzville State Park in Carbon County, overseeing a 2,972-acre park developed around the Beltzville Dam, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control project.

He was named manager of the Tobyhanna State Park Complex in Monroe and Wayne counties in 2017. Three state parks – Tobyhanna, Gouldsboro, and Big Pocono – comprise that 9,550-acre complex. Most recently, Devin served as manager of the Gifford Pinchot State Park Complex , which included the Susquehannock and Sam Lewis state parks in York and Lancaster counties.

Before joining the Bureau of State Parks, Devin served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a military police officer, attaining the rank of corporal. He is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in recreation, park, and tourism management. Devin and his wife are parents to two children, ages 6 and 9.

We wish Devin all the best in his new and challenging endeavor!

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The Tale of Two Tandems

Four Canal paddling adventures are sponsored by the Friends each year in partnership with the Delaware Canal State Park educators. In addition, the educators guide many other public paddles in the Giving Pond and on the Delaware River and Canal. During each session, participants may use the Park’s twelve single and two tandem kayaks for a nominal fee. It’s a great opportunity to find out whether kayaking is a sport for you.

New tandem kayak — Joan and Joe paddled the new orange and yellow kayak toward Lock 18 in Uhlerstown during our Pedal and Paddle event on September 15.

This year, the Park’s two tandems were looking particularly sad, and one was taking on water at a rate that led to its retirement. To replenish the Park’s fleet, the Friends of the Delaware Canal purchased a 14.5-foot Manatee Deluxe Tandem Kayak from L. L. Bean and donated it to the Park. This new kayak’s advantage is that it is a sit-in model that reduces the chances that its paddlers will get really wet. The new kayak has already been put to good use and christened with canal mud.

A second donation of a tandem kayak is happening this fall thanks to the generosity of Board member Judy Franlin and her husband Joe. Their downsizing means that the Park’s other sad tandem can be retired, too. Thanks, Judy and Joe!

Come next paddling season, these two tandems will be ready and waiting.

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At Last We Know

It was commonly known that there were only two “bump” bridges along the Delaware Canal, and they were located in Bristol Borough by the Grundy Woolen Mill. Built between 1873 and 1876, the swing bridges served as canal crossings for the newly opened Jefferson Avenue and Washington Street.

What wasn’t known was what they looked like. Aerial views and photos taken from a distance were the only available documentation. One could make out triangular structural members, but that was about it. The opportunity to solve the bump bridge mystery presented itself with the Bristol Borough interpretive sign project.

Artist Dennis Gerhart illustrates a bump bridge — A depiction of the Jefferson Avenue “bump bridge” by Dennis Gerhart.

A new panel at Jefferson Avenue about the unique bridges seemed in order, but what to put on it? An inquiry to canal authorities was sent over the internet, and a reply from Ohio promptly arrived in our Inbox. Terry Woods , past president of the Canal Society of Ohio and the American Society, maintains a forum for canallers. The bump bridge question intrigued him so he did some of his own research and put out the question to others. In came a response from Dave Neuhardt, another Ohio canaller, who knew about “ a bunch of them on the Miami & Erie Canal.” He provided a description of the mechanism, an account of how it worked, and, most importantly, a line drawing of a swing/bump bridge.

The Ohio description and the image fit what was known about the Bristol Borough bump bridges, so the information was used to create the drawing and text for the new interpretive sign.

Here is the description shown on the new Bristol Borough interpretive sign:

The advantage of a bump bridge was that it swung open while being gently bumped by an oncoming canal boat. The structure was counterbalanced so that it returned to its original position after the boat had passed. No additional power was need to operate the bridge. They could be used where the land was flat, avoiding the sloping approaches of a typical bridge.

When neighborhood children saw a canal boat coming, they would jump on the bump bridge for a ride. Too many “riders” made a canal boat captain angry because his mule team had to pull harder to make the bridge open, and it was nearly impossible for the bridge to swing closed on its own.

The two bump bridges were replaced by culvert pipes after the Canal closed for business in 1931.

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Time to Celebrate!

ribbon Cutting for new interpretive Canal signs in Bristol Borough — Ribbon Cutting Time

The Friends and our project partners marked the culmination of a two-year-long project to update content and replace twelve interpretive signs that tell the story of the Delaware Canal in Historic Bristol Borough. The signs dot the Canal’s route from the terminus at the Delaware River to the Lagoon at Jefferson Avenue.

The illustrated signs relate:

Where the Canal Met the River * Working with the Tide * In the Basin * Fueling the Economy * Lock 1 – The Canal’s First and Last * The Locktender’s House at Lock 1 * The Bend before the End * Lock 2 – In the Middle * Lock 3 – At the Heart of Commerce * An Industrial Zone of Its Time * Water and Land Marks * A Different Kind of Canal Bridge

We are so grateful to the Grundy Foundation, the Bucks Country Conference and Visitors Bureau, the Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation, and Bristol Borough Council for helping to renew the Canal’s rich history.

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The Canal’s Threatened Turtle

Eastern Red Belly Turtles were sighted in the southern end of the Canal over fifteen years ago. Soon thereafter, they were also noted in the northern end. Their existence has impacted the Canal ever since.

The Eastern Red Belly Turtle is a reptile species of special concern and has been listed as a threatened species by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Habitat destruction, poor water quality and competition with aggressive non-native turtle species led to the listing.

To protect the Red Belly Turtle population, special procedures must be followed when disturbance of their habitat is planned. In the case of the Delaware Canal, it is permissible to perform work in the Canal during the turtles’ active period from April to October when they are capable of moving away from construction activity. If work is undertaken during the turtles’ hibernation period between October 15 and April 15, the Canal must be de-watered no later than October 15, so that the turtles can find places to hibernate that are out of harm’s way..

The Delaware Canal State Park staff began to dewater the Canal on October 7 to comply with the Eastern Red Belly Turtle restrictions enforced by the Fish and Boat Commission. If the Canal’s water was drawn down after October 15, it is possible that cold-blooded turtles hibernating in the muddy bottom of the Canal would be exposed to freezing temperatures and die a slow and painful death. It is permissible to re-water the Canal during the hibernation period, so if projects are completed before April 15, water can be re-introduced.

The Eastern Red Belly Turtle is one of Pennsylvania’s largest native aquatic turtles. Found in the southeastern and southcentral regions of the Commonwealth, they live in slow rivers, reservoirs, ponds, marshes and ditches; and spend a lot of time basking. They are described as being shy or wary. Thus it’s understandable that they aren’t ones to show off their red bellies.

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Taking Care of the Outside

Locktenders House getting elastomeric masonry coating — Applying elastomeric masonry coating to a three story building requires skill and a bit of fearlessness. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a photo of this year’s painters, so this photo, taken nine years ago, will have to do. It does have the benefit of including our Miles of Mules mule, Ben, while he still could stand in the garden.

The Locktender’s House at Lock 11 in New Hope is where the Friends do business and invite visitors in to learn about “Life at the Lock” on the Delaware Canal. It’s a circa 1830, three-story plus attic, stucco over stone house that has been used in different ways over the years.

In 1991, the Friends’ cajoled the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania into buying the house by promising to restore the building and open it to the public. Its location by the then-operating New Hope Mule Barge Ride was ideal.

The Friends raised the funds to restore the building (its interior was very 1950’s), and its doors have been open ever since. Of course, every old house needs maintenance and repairs, and the Friends, as good caretakers, have undertaken many.

This year it was clear that the time had come to take care of the exterior stucco damage caused by an unprecedented canal leak and paint the exterior walls, porch roof and floor. Masterfully, tackling the job have been Jason Butler of Premiere Plaster and Construction and Mark Malone of MCM Painting.

Soon the Locktender’s House will be back to showing off its unblemished, historically appropriate façade thanks to your support of our efforts.

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Duly Recognized

Only six camelback bridges that retain their authentic structure remain along the length of the Delaware Canal. To recognize their important places in the history of the Delaware Canal, small plaques, which display their names, significance, and mileage locations; have been affixed to the bridge abutments. Many thanks to Canal Action Team leader Josh Gradwohl for taking on the complicated fastening task!

Keep an eye out for the new signs.

Camelback Bridge Sign

Canal Action Team Leader, Josh Gradwohl installing signs

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Help Clear the Mile Markers

Canal Mile Marker — One of this year’s Canal Walkers made sure that this mile marker could be seen.

If you come upon one of the 59 granite mile markers along the Canal towpath and find it obscured by grass, weeds, or dirt, please clear it off, so that we all can count the miles. Thank you!

Mile Marker 1 is located by the Grundy Mill in Bristol Borough, and Mile Marker 58.9 is at the Forks of the Delaware in Easton.

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Pop-Ups

Our Solution to Unpredictable Weather

Dates, Times, Places TBD

cross country skiing on the canal — Hoping for perfect snow this season!

For two years in a row, bad weather conditions have foiled our efforts to have winter activities along the Canal. Too cold, too warm, too muddy, too wintery mixy. But, the lures of ice skating, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, and brisk walking are still strong, so we’re going to endeavor to have Pop-up events – again.

When the forecasters agree that the skies will be sunny, the temperatures above frostbite, and the winds relatively calm OR when we have a perfect snowfall, we will send out a message letting you know what we’ll be doing and where/ when we’ll be doing it along the Canal’s length.

We will be waiting for the right opportunities and will notify you of the details in two ways:

Adding an Event to our website fodc.org
Posting on the Friends of the Delaware Canal Facebook page

Be on the lookout for winter fun along the Canal.

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Canal News – Fall 2020

Construction Countdown Done

Rewatering Underway

Always on the Look Out

Park Manager’s Report

Events that We’re Missing this October

An Untraditional Calendar of Events

POP-UP SHORT WALKS

Locations, Dates, and Times are sent via Constant Contact and posted on fodc.org.

The Cares Act can help you help the Friends

NICE SAVE!

A 9-11 Bench Returns

We’ll be Ready

NEED SOME DIVERSION?

PUMP IN WAITING

SHARING THE TOWPATH TRAIL: MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER

WELCOME NEW FRIENDS

Canal News – Fall 2019

From ‘Let It Flow’ to ‘No Flow’

Welcome, Devin!

The Tale of Two Tandems

At Last We Know

Time to Celebrate!

The Canal’s Threatened Turtle

Taking Care of the Outside

Duly Recognized

Help Clear the Mile Markers

Pop-Ups

Welcome, New Friends!

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Help the Canal

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