“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.