The Park Staff turned the Centre Bridge pump back on this morning. It is anticipated that the water will make its way through the pipes at the Lower Limeport Bridge project and to Lock 11 in New Hope by Friday.
The southern end of the Delaware Canal from New Hope to Bristol is fed by the Delaware River through an inlet located behind the Chez Odette building. We’ve been having a dry spell, so the River has dropped below level of the mouth of the inlet, and thus no water is being supplied into the Canal. The levels along the Canal are dropping.
As a point of reference, the Delaware River gauge at Trenton must be at 9 or above for water to flow into the Canal. Currently the River level is at 8.6.
Delaware Canal State Park Manager Rick Dalton received a letter from the National Park Service offering support in discussions regarding the redevelopment of the Odette’s Restaurant site, an 18th century stone tavern which is a contributing property within the Delaware Canal National Historic Landmark District.
As one Friends of the Delaware Canal board member said, “This letter restores my faith in government.”
Bonnie J. Halda, chief of preservation assistance, writes, “The proposed redevelopment of the Odette’s site has changed over time and has become progressively more threatening to the Odette’s building itself as well as the Canal in general. There are three major aspects to the project that are problematic. …”
To read the entire letter, please open the PDF document.
Thousands of fish were rescued from the Canal in Centre Bridge and New Hope over the past several days. Wader-clad volunteers and Delaware Canal State Park staff climbed into the Canal with their nets to scoop out fish – tiny to large – that were trapped by the diminishing water level caused by the broken pump at Centre Bridge. A new pump is on order.
The pump that supplies water from Centre Bridge to Lock 11 in New Hope has broken down. Repair/replacement options are being evaluated.
The State Park staff has dropped the water level in the Canal between the Aquetong Creek and Lock 11 in New Hope in order to repair a leak. The work is expected to be done by Thursday, October 8.
The Delaware River has once again dropped near and below the level of the New Hope inlet. When this happens the southern end of the Canal from New Hope to Bristol is water starved. Tomorrow the Park staff will be dredging the inlet opening to get out what little debris may be hampering water flow.
Once again, gentle rain will be very welcome.
The water level has risen quickly in New Hope. In fact, it’s at its highest level in recent memory.
Friends of the Delaware Canal
145 South Main Street
New Hope, PA 18938
Phone: 215.862.2021
Michael Ginder, Executive Director
Helping on Canal Clean-up Day is just one way you can get involved and help to restore, preserve and improve the Delaware Canal. Big or small, the perfect job for you awaits – all you need to do is get involved! FIND OUT MORE