TOWPATH CLOSURE*(Mile Post 44.27)*-The towpath will be closed at the High Falls Creek sub-canal culvert(MP 44.27) until further notice due to massive damage that occurred during tropical storm Ida. The purpose of this closure is for PUBLIC SAFETY. Trail users should turn around at the closure and NOT attempt to get by it.
As the days get cooler and the nights get longer, the autumn tones of yellow and gold replace the vibrant flowers of summer. The migratory birds that kept us entranced during the spring and summer are finding their way back home as our lawnmowers, weed whackers, and lower backs get a much needed rest.
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. Susan’s influence along the 58.9 miles of the towpath is apparent at every turn. Interpretive signs, memorial benches, four rebuilt camelback bridges, the restoration of the Locktender’s House in New Hope, and the introduction of the Canal loop trails. These are just a few reminders of her lasting legacy.
One of the goals of the Friends has always been a fully-watered Canal from Easton to Bristol. There were times when this goal was in sight, but mother nature and many Canal structures did not cooperate. Over the years, Susan has witnessed numerous sinkholes, aqueduct failures, downed trees, and flooding.
Needless to say, maintaining the Canal and the towpath takes a great deal of effort on the part of the DCNR staff and numerous volunteers. As frustrating as this can be, Susan says, “We must be mindful not to allow the qualities of the canal that motivated those who saved it in the 1930s to be diminished.”
A friend, and author, Will Rivinus, recently wrote, “After 30 years as Executive Director of the Friends of the Delaware Canal, Susan Taylor is retiring. After all those Board Meetings, membership motions, public presentations, state park phone calls, and 60-mile Canal walks, Susan is going to take it easy.”
At a gathering honoring Susan’s enduring contribution, Brett Webber, FODC Board President, said, “For three decades, Susan, with the board behind her, has been getting things done for the Delaware Canal. She’s been a great advocate for the Canal with state officials and our local communities, bringing people together. She’s been the glue for the organization. “She has also helped us grow,” added Webber. “And we’re looking forward to doing her legacy justice by moving forward with our new executive director who has some rather large shoes to fill.”
We know there will never be another Susan Taylor. However, at some point, everyone deserves to take time to refocus and renew. Susan may have “retired” from her full-time position at the Friends, but we know she will continue to advocate for the Canal and her community.
Michael Ginder, Executive Director, Friends of the Delaware Canal
Taking on the role of Executive Director is Michael D. Ginder (above). Mr. Ginder, a New Hope resident, is no stranger to the world of non-profit management and leadership. He was the Director of Business and Employment Services for The Arc Mercer, a community-based organization supporting developmentally disabled people and their families in Mercer County. Prior to Mr. Ginder’s tenure at Arc, he served as Executive Director of the Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in Medford, NJ. In this position, he was responsible for the strategic planning, finance, and fundraising for this non-profit.
Brett Webber, president of the FODC, said, “The Friends of the Delaware Canal is excited about Michael’s appointment. We look forward to working with him and building on Susan’s many accomplishments.”
“The Canal is such a vital part of our region’s history, and I am fortunate to have the opportunity to join the Friends as the next executive director,” said Ginder. “It will be exciting to work with the passionate individuals who are stewards of the Canal, expanding our membership base, and encouraging area residents and visitors to spend time along the Canal.”
We know that Mr. Ginder may face many opportunities and challenges in the future, but he does so with a firm foundation in leadership and advocacy. And, he has the support of the many members and allies of The Friends of the Delaware Canal. We look forward to the future and welcome the season of change that lies ahead.
* We would like to thank Jeff Werner, The Advance of Bucks County for his story about Susan and the FODC and acknowledge the use of quotes from their publication.
My 30 years with the Friends have been a joy because of all the people who care about the Canal. Every day you made me know that what the Friends do is worthwhile. While walking, talking, corresponding, and having fun with you, I’ve been inspired, educated, and had my heart warmed.
I truly THANK YOU for being such good friends.
While many of the projects reviewed below were already in progress prior to the damage created by Tropical Strom Ida on September 1st, a brief update on the park’s efforts post-Ida is pertinent. Over the past two months, the effort to catalog damages and prioritize repairs has been the primary focus.
Moving into November, a large-scale contracted emergency dredging project will be in progress. While the park has already begun work with in-house staff, this larger project will allow for the removal and disposal of gravelbars that are present in locations such as the Dark Hollow Creek in New Hope, and the Hickory Run Creek in Point Pleasant along with several other locations. By removing barriers to the free flow of water within the canal prism the park will be better situated to manage future rain events. The loss of the canal banks at the High Falls Sub-canal Culvert in Upper Black Eddy is being evaluated by a qualified engineering consultant and over the coming months plans for the repair will be made.
As many of you know, the repairs to the Easton flood damages of December 2020 are still pending. The one-mile stretch of towpath that extends south from the Lehigh River inlet has been rutted and has been in a less than ideal condition for the past eight months. However, our collective patience is going to result in a repair that will be both sensible and lasting. Considering that this is not the first time this area has been affected by flooding, the repair will include armoring of the towpath slope at locations where the Delaware River overtops the Canal.
This armoring will reflect the Canal’s historic character by mimicking the design of the existing Canal overflows. The new overflows will be set at higher elevations than the existing ones with the intent of safely equalizing the Canal water levels with those of the Delaware River. In addition to this armoring, a second improvement will be the installation of a geocell web along the Canal banks that will lay much like a blanket down the towpath slope interlocking the vegetation and preventing future issues with the scouring of the canal liner. A major advantage of installing the web is that it will perform its critical function beneath the surface layer of the soil for many years and will go unnoticed by Park visitors. While the final design and permitting is still pending, I am hopeful that this project will go out to public bid by this winter with repairs commencing as early as Spring of 2022.
Prior to September 1st, the most significant issue impeding the flow of water past the area of Lock 17 in Tinicum Township was the pending repair of the Tohickon Aqueduct in Point Pleasant. The first occurrence of damage to the Aqueduct was on the night of March 24 into the morning of March 25 during a heavy rain event. Our assumption is that large debris struck the nose of the northern end of the aqueduct. After the first wooden interior panel of the aqueduct was dislodged, water came in behind the subsequent panels forcing them out like falling dominos.
The initial impression was that the repair was not substantial and could be performed by Park staff; however, as we further examined the extent of the damages, it was determined that this work would need to be bid out to a qualified contractor. At this time, the Park has developed a full statement of work, and we are hopeful that the estimated funding will be committed within the next couple of months. This repair is among the top priorities for the Park.
While I have noted pending contracted repairs, it is important to note the work of our Northern and Southern Maintenance crews. They have been diligently performing routine mowing, making repairs to numerous sinkholes, dredging gravel bars, repairing bridges, and removing hazardous and fallen trees to just name a few tasks.
To provide a better idea of the overall volume of tree work completed, it is estimated that over 1500 cumulative hours have been expended by our maintenance crews in just the past eight months alone. On July 30, tornadoes and high winds swept through the area of New Hope laying nine trees across the towpath between the area of Bowman’s Hill and New Hope. The towpath was cleared within two days of the storm event. As another example, a sinkhole opened up in the towpath side of the Canal adjacent to Mile Post 52 near the Fry’s Run Aqueduct. Water was flowing through the prism of the Canal out to the Delaware River. The repair was made over a four-day period with the Canal levels being lowered only for that duration.
I have the advantage of seeing the volume, complexity, and intensity of the work performed by our maintenance personnel along the Canal’s entire 58.9-mile length, and I would like to commend them for their efforts.
On May 21, 2021, a group of enthusiastic volunteers from the Giant Stores in New Hope and Doylestown arrived at the Locktender’s House to paint the walkway fence red. And not just any
red, but a custom color to match the existing structure. With rollers and brushes in tow, they made quick work of the task.
As you can see, the results are outstanding. We would like to send a big thank you to these Giant Store Volunteers for helping to protect and preserve this historic landmark and museum.
We held a successful return of our annual fundraising event Faces and Places, Celebrating the Arts and History Along the Delaware Canal. Many thanks to our sponsors, patrons
and attendees for helping to make the afternoon enjoyable.
A relica of the he Buckstone Farm Trellis
This year, the Friends discovered the many facets of the historic Buckstone Farm property and celebrated its preservation and possibilities as the newest part of the Delaware Canal State Park Complex. Our Faces & Places 2021 activities and festivities revolved around the property, which lies on land that William Penn selected for his personal use as “The Manor of the Highlands.”
The tour of the expansive farm included a history of the past owners since William Penn, who were stewards of the property, including the Taylors of Taylorsville, a Dupont relative, and the illustrious Feinstone family. Attendees experienced a tour of the mid-19th century mansion fondly known as “The Big House,” which has not been open to visitors until now.
Guests were also treated to a showing of Paradise Ditch, a 1950’s era film about the Delaware Canal. It has footage taken while the Canal was still in commercial operation spiced with vintage ladies in their shirtwaist dresses lounging along the Canal and naughty boys skinny-dipping.
David Library of the American Revolution was once housed here, attracting scholars from around the world. This resource is known as the best collection of Revolutionary War-era documents outside of England. The library has been moved to Philadelphia, and the buildings and surrounding farmland are now in the capable hands of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. They acquired the 143-acre property in October of 2020, ensuring that the open land will always remain so.
The event’s finale was a sunset view from the front lawn of the “Big House” where we toasted to the bright future for Buckstone Farm and DCNR.
A new shared-use pedestrian/bike path adjacent to the Scudder Falls Bridge is under way, completion is scheduled for November 2021. This new addition to the bridge’s upstream span will link the Delaware and Raritan Canal in New Jersey with the Delaware Canal in Pennsylvania. Once completed hikers, bikers, and joggers will be able to “do a loop” between the Washington Crossing Bridge and Scudder Falls Bridge. Just one more way to enjoy the Canal and towpath and all they have to offer.
The new path will be 10 feet in width. However, trail etiquette is still needed to ensure everyone uses it safely. Bikes should yield to pedestrians and maintain a safe speed when passing.
Also, bikers should alert walkers and joggers when approaching and try to pass on the left.
Spahr’s Bridge in Upper Black Eddy is the last remaining authentic camelback bridge requiring restoration, and we are happy to say that the work has begun. This work can be painstaking as the preservation contractor must dismantle, inventory, and record all of the existing timbers and hardware and salvage as much as possible. The State, with the support and encouragement of the Friends, is confident the chosen contractor is up for the challenge.
The bridge superstructure has been dismantled, cataloged and put in storage while the rest of the work is being completed. The towpath was closed during the dismantling process and future closures are expected as the repairs continue. The next phase of the process is to work on repairing the abutments that support the bridge. The
abutments have become undermined by time, weather, and an earthquake or two. The State will pay for the removal and cataloging of the bridge structures and the abutment repair.
However, this historic landmark needs the help of the Friends of the Delaware Canal to return it to its former glory. The Friends were instrumental in funding the restoration of four of six camelback bridges that still span the canal. The largest project prior to Spahr’s was the ThompsonNeely Bridge in Washington Crossing. It was quite an undertaking. The bridge was lifted on jacks so that deteriorating components could be removed and replaced.
The Spahr’s Bridge will be a total rebuild requiring a great deal of time and resources. This is the most expensive project we have undertaken so far, and we are confident our members and supporters are up to the challenge. To date, we have several generous donations that have helped us kick start this campaign.
It is the contributions of our friends and supporters that will ensure we can purchase the beams, trusses, decking, and hardware needed to rebuild. Our influence and impact will help maintain the historical integrity of the bridge.
We hope you will help us complete this important work to rebuild Spahr’s Bridge. It would be a great way to pay tribute to the men and women who worked on the canal and celebrate the Friends of the Delaware Canal’s 40th anniversary in 2022.
You can become a supporter of this project by donating now on our website at fodc.org. Just scroll to the bottom of our home page to find the link titled “Let’s Restore the Sixth Camelback Bridge.”
The man who holds the record for completing the most Friends’ 58.9-mile Canal Walks passed away on October 5 at the age of 89. Jack Merkl was a steadfast walker, relished revisiting the Canal each year, and kept his “magic” red and white umbrella in his car trunk to ward off any rain.
When he could no longer handle the Walk’s longer distances, he switched to being the walkers’ guardian. In his car, he would transport them to and from the start and end points, haul lunches, and watch over them all along the way. Then to add to the sport of it, he started to hide from the walkers, challenging them to spot him from the towpath. This evolved into a “Where’s Waldo?” sort of game, of course, called “Where’s Jack?”. To make it official, one year “Where’s Jack?” t-shirts were made. Jack’s shirt was emblazoned with “I’m Jack.”
Jack was a wonderful friend and Friend and epitomized what the 58.9-mile Canal Walk is meant to be. We very much miss him! And the sight of a Tastykake pie will always evoke the memory of Jack having one for lunch at each and every walk—his special treat.
There is always a silver lining to every situation, even the advent of COVID. To fight off feelings of isolation, many people turned to nature for comfort. All along the towpath, we certainly saw an increase in visitation as people jogged, walked, and biked, re-discovering the Canal and all it has to offer.
This influx of new visitors had a bit of a downside. Crowded parking lots, remnants of human consumption, and flaring tempers were hallmarks of a resource bursting at its seams. And through it all, the dedicated Park Staff and our Canal Tenders persisted, determined to maintain the towpath and the waterway for all to enjoy.
And as the seasons change, we also have some changes in the ranks of our devoted Canal Tenders. We want to thank Louise Wile and Michael Schwartz, who retired as Canal Tenders this year, and for caring for the Bridge Street to Palmer Street footbridge section of the Canal in Morrisville for so many years. Also retiring this year are Janice Armstrong and Steve Schlosser from Milford, New Jersey, who tended the Canal and towpath between Lock 19 to Homestead Store in Upper Black Eddy. Ann and Keith Webb and family who cared for the Black Rock Road to East Afton section in Yardley have handed the reins to Keller Arnold, who previously tended from Levittown Shopping Center to Mill Creek Road. This section is now being cared for by Charlie Bozzo. And Evan Homrighausen will tend the area from Mill Creek Road to Tyburn Road Detour South.
These retirements have created opportunities for new Canal Tenders to join this prestigious group of volunteers. And, the need is greatest in the southern section of the towpath. We are seeking tenders for:
• Bristol Riverfront Park to Beaver Street: Bristol
Borough
• Beaver Street to Bristol Lagoon: Bristol Borough
• Bristol Lagoon to Green Lane: Bristol Borough
• Green Lane to Edgely Avenue: Bristol Township
• Edgely Avenue to Levittown Shopping Center: Bristol
Township/Tullytown Borough
• Tyburn Road Detour South End to Conrail Tunnel:
Falls Township
• Bridge Street to E. Maple Avenue: Morrisville
Borough
• Bridge Street to Rabbit Run: New Hope
• Lock 19 at Park Headquarters to Homestead Store:
Upper Black Eddy
Please let us know if you would like to help with any of these sections or an area nearest you. When you become a Canal Tender, you join a group of volunteers who enjoy being a part of this historic waterway.
To learn more about Canal Tending and other volunteer opportunities, please visit the Help Page on our website at fodc.org/help-the-canal.
TEAMWORK ALONG THE TOWPATH: Clean-Up Day Marches On
In-water clean-up in Morrisville
This April, we made some adjustments to our Canal Clean-Up Day to accommodate COVID protocols and protections. After communicating with our Canal Tenders and Coordinators, we suggested that small masked groups tend to their areas on the proposed Day of April 10th or any day throughout April.
The response was outstanding! Nearly 50 Coordinators and their teams collected and bagged trash and other debris the entire length of the towpath on foot and by boat. Scout troops, bike clubs, neighborhood groups, and public officials all joined in the month-long effort.
Volunteers from Traditions in Washington Crossing
A BUSY SEASON FOR CANAL ACTION TEAMS.
Restoration of Wicket Shanty
This spring and summer, several projects were completed by our CAT team. One of the most extensive projects was the repair work on Ground Hog Lock Wicket Shanty. Rotten wood structures on all four corners were removed and replaced along with some siding. Then the teams set to work scraping, sanding, and painting, returning the lovely wooden structure to its former glory.
Other CAT projects included a beam replacement at the wastegate between Locks 9 and 10 in New Hope and a new 911 memorial bench installation in Lumberville. With some soap and TLC, a graffitied bench and sign in Lower Makefield were restored.
In the area of Lumberville, the towpath is CLOSED at the Lumberville Aqueduct Pedestrian Bridge. The purpose of this closure is for PUBLIC SAFETY and will be in effect until the crossing can be made safe. Trail users should turn around at the closure and NOT attempt to get by it. The aqueduct and associated pedestrian crossing sustained significant damages during Tropical Storm Ida to include the loss of a structural pier beneath the aqueduct.
A spring sight and sound along the Canal – A Yellow Warbler. PHOTO: Carole Mebus
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. Please
visit the Friends of the Delaware Canal YouTube channel to find the Canal Times I and II programs and a video interview with Will Rivinus, who tells about his first venture into canal walking. Unfortunately, our two Postcards from the Past presentations aren’t there because the Zoom recordings cut off after 30 seconds in spite of our best efforts.
The dates and times of the future webinars will be sent via Constant Contact. If you aren’t signed up, just scroll down to the form on the homepage of fodc.org or call 215-862-2021. The information will also be posted in the Events section on the homepage of fodc.org.
There are still lots of stories to share, and videos will be part of the mix. Want to help? The Friends could really use someone who is relatively experienced and enthusiastic about making “informal” videos. Interested? Please let us know.
See you one way or another!
JOIN US FOR THESE UPCOMING WEBINARS:
The Canal’s Spring Flowers
The Birds of Spring
Invasives Watch
Canal landmarks and mileage Chart 101
A program featuring the old postcards contributed to the Friends by long-time members Kathleen and Bob Stalgaitis.
Conditions were perfect for cross-country skiing along the Canal. PHOTO: Kent and Marion Smith
The snow just kept falling this past winter making the Delaware Canal an extraordinarily beautiful white wonder. By all reports, it was the best winter for cross-country skiing on the towpath in at least ten years.
Unfortunately, the season’s weather also created some serious problems along the Canal. Torrential rainfall at Christmas caused inland streams to overtop their banks and the Delaware River to rise to Minor Flood stage.
The culvert collapse in Raubsville.
The relentless flow of stream water into the sub-canal culvert just north of Locks 22-23 in Raubsville caused its stone headwall to collapse. With the falling stone came a portion of the Canal berm bank, bringing the situation perilously close to completely blowing out the bank and seriously flooding the inland residential property. Thankfully, the erosion stopped short of that. The collapse was designated as an “emergency repair” by the DCNR engineers and Park staff, and Bi-State Construction was on site within days of December 26 to clear the culvert opening so that stream water could flow through it and to begin the repair of the culvert itself. Good progress was made, but then the snow and ice came making it too dangerous for the equipment to maneuver at the site, which is both narrow and steep. The project has resumed and is expected to be complete within weeks.
The flooding Delaware River rose to levels where its water overtopped the banks of the Canal in low areas. The flood waters caused damage to the towpath surface in several sections, particularly in the northern end of the Canal, and, just south of Easton, the earth sloughed off the slope of the towpath bank.
River flooding damaged the towpath banks south of Easton
The high and rushing water in the Canal itself caused problems. The interior decking in the new Fry’s Run Aqueduct experienced some displacement, which can be repaired by the Park staff. More complicated will be the task of removing some rocks that lodged themselves between the layers of the synthetic liner at the Tinicum Aqueduct.
In the case of all these problems, as well as projects that were underway last fall, the snowy conditions prevented work from progressing, but spring is on its way, and with it will come the renewal of repair work.
One of my favorite idioms is “Make hay while the sun shines.” Over the past year, while in service to the Delaware Canal, I have found this expression to be meaningful on multiple levels. I would go as far as to say that it encapsulates the general concept of confronting the challenges of Canal maintenance and management. There is never a shortage of work to be done and always an appropriate time to do it.
Repair projects along the Canal have recommenced with the melting of the snow. The large excavators, currently located in Raubsville, once again have come back to life. The removal of a sycamore tree with a destructive root system kickstarted our extensive efforts to reline the Canal and restore its ability to retain water.
A large sycamore tree was downed at the site of the collapse north of Woody’s Bridge. Its roots were undermining the Canal’s prism. PHOTO: Carole Mebus
Over these past snowy months, I am happy to report great success in filling several vacant full-time Canal positions in our Southern offices. These include a Park Maintenance Supervisor and a Maintenance Repairman (skilled tradesman), who was recently added to our staff complement. Newly hired Park Maintenance Supervisor Matthew Overbeck of Pipersville replaces Brad King, who retired after his 35 years of service to the Commonwealth.
On the heels of former Delaware Canal Assistant Manager Bethany Hare taking a promotional opportunity, we are just weeks away from announcing the hiring of two new Assistant Managers. This is all good news as we are looking to the future of the Canal with a dedicated administrative presence and offices in both the Northern and the Southern sections. The concept is similar in nature to how our maintenance responsibilities are currently established. This is all taking place in conjunction with the recent acquisition of the former David Library of the American Revolution and the Sol and Rose Preserve properties in Washington Crossing.
As you may already know or gleaned from this newsletter, the Canal sustained significant damage during the December heavy rains and river flooding event. While timelines for all of the repairs to be completed are still unknown due to the severity of the damages, I am certain that the appropriate resources are being committed, and we are pushing towards the goal of opening the Easton feeder gate as soon as possible.
While on the surface it would appear that work is weather dependent, I would argue that work is perpetually progressing forward and with your support we will “continue to make hay”.
Painting the Mt. Eyre Road Bridge faux camelback trusses required agility on the part of CAT volunteers.
Before winter set in, seven Canal Action Team members gave the Mt. Eyre Road Bridge over the Canal two much-needed coats of barn-red stain. The bridge, located on the line between Lower Makefield and Upper Makefield Townships, is one of, if not the only, public road bridge over the Canal owned by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Under the direction of Team leader Bob Ketler, the CAT members came laden with their most trusty painting tools and went to work—bending, stretching, leaning, and crawling to reach all the components of the two faux camelback trusses.
After a full morning’s worth of work with Delaware Canal State Park Rangers handling traffic control, CAT brought the Mt. Eyre Road Bridge back to an appearance worthy of a Canal landmark.
The Friends are planning to bring back our series of “Green Phase” COVID-precautioned short walks as soon as the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) allows public programs to resume. To account for the uncertainty of conditions and time frames, these walks will again be Pop-Ups, but we are scheduling a Spring Beauties Walk on Sunday, April 18, just to try to get things back to being a little more normal.
POP-UP SHORT WALKS Locations, Dates, and Times are sent via Constant Contact and posted on fodc.org.
We were able to get 11 short walks in last season and have another 20 walk itineraries ready to go as opportunities arise. The walk lengths vary from 2 to 6 miles roundtrip. In addition to late afternoon ventures, we anticipate that weekend and morning walks can be added to the schedule.
To walk with the Friends, watch for our Constant Contact e-mails and check Events on the homepage of fodc.org. If you are not on our Constant Contact list, please scroll down to the bottom of the homepage to sign up or call 215-862-2021.
To discourage the spread of COVID, these walks will once again be limited to 10 people, masks must be worn, and physical distancing encouraged. Reservations must be made in advance. All information will be included in our event notices.
These walks fill up very quickly, so when you receive the notices, don’t hesitate to make your reservations. To be fair, preference will be given to those who have not participated in other short walks during the current season.
SPRING BEAUTIES WALK SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 1:30 PM Meet at the I-295 Park and Ride Lot 1140 Woodside Road, Yardley, PA 19067
Beauty comes in different forms. On this 2-mileroundtrip walk, you can take in the Canal’s beauty at Lock 7. Daffodils dance on the towpath bank and trees will be blossoming. The Lock with its stone walls restored by the Friends, the little board and batten shanty, and the Locktender’s House complete the spring scene.
Another kind of beauty shows itself at the 1799 House sitting by the Canal at Woodside Road. This historic stone house was purchased by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission as part of the Scudder Falls Bridge project. The house has been sensitively rehabilitated and serves as a restroom facility for Canal visitors. Having a new bathroom facility near the Park, in a saved historic structure, no less, is a beautiful thing.
The Spring Beauty Walk will be led by veteran Canal Walker Jeff Connell, who also serves on the Friends’ Board of Directors. He will share the story of the Scudder Falls Bridge pedestrian pathway, which will be the seventh river bridge crossing connecting the Delaware Canal towpath to the D&R Canal towpath in Ewing, NJ. Along the way to Lock 7, he will point out the newly replaced 9-11 memorial bench and a wildlife haven.
Applicable COVID precautions, as described in Pop-Ups, will be taken. Reservations are required no later than April 14. Please call 215-862-2021 or e-mail friends@fodc.org.
Hope to see you on the towpath!
*******************************
CANAL CLEAN-UP DAY
SATURDAY, APRIL 10 PLUS Any Day, especially during the month of April
Usually, the Friends’ annual Clean-Up Day takes place on the first Saturday in April, and hundreds of volunteers tackle the trash that has accumulated in and along the Canal’s 58.9-mile length. Of COVID Times necessity, this year’s clean-up will focus on individual and family group efforts—no large groups will be encouraged. The official date is also different because the first Saturday in April is the opening day of trout season in Pennsylvania and occurs during the Easter holiday weekend. To compensate for these unusual circumstances, we are extending Clean-Up Day and encouraging volunteers to give the Canal its spring cleaning anytime, particularly during the month of April.
Nearly all of our photos from past Canal Clean-Up Days feature groups of people working together—not the visual message that we want to communicate this year. So, here’s a rare exception. This volunteer showed off the very large and mossy sneaker that she found along the towpath in Falls Township.
Here’s how to help this spring –
On Saturday, April 10, go out to any section of the Canal and pick up trash, debris, and anything that doesn’t allow the Canal to look its best. Both on-land and by-boat clean-ups are welcome. In fact, using canoes and kayaks is sometimes the only way to get to trash on the berm side or just hiding below the water surface.
If you can’t be out on the 10th, please work anytime the weather and your energy encourage you to do so.
For the safety of all, volunteers must comply with federal CDC, State, and local COVID-19 precautions, including, but not limited to, wearing a face mask, practicing physical distancing, and following proper hygiene protocols. (Handwashing is and always has been a good idea on Clean-Up Day.)
Please wear gloves and sturdy shoes and bring along any pick-up tools that work well for you.
If you need trash bags or gloves, we can supply them. Contactless pick-up can be done at either the Locktender’s House in New Hope (call 215-862- 2021 or e-mail friends@fodc.org) or at the State Park Headquarters in Upper Black Eddy (call 610-982-5560 or e-mail kmartens@pa.gov).
If you collect things that are too heavy or unwieldy to take home for disposal, please let the Friends know the location, and the Park staff will make pick-up arrangements.
And don’t forget to let the Friends know that you’ve been out there working, so that we can thank you as well as count the number of volunteers who participated and determine what areas might need attention after April. Please take pictures and share them!
The Friends have done clean-ups ever since the organization’s founding in 1982, and we intend to keep up that tradition because our goal is always to be of help to the Delaware Canal.
If you have questions about these new circumstances, please call 215-862-2021 or e-mail friends@fodc.org. And THANK YOU for your concern and help!
GIVING BACK
To all of you who invested in the Friends’ efforts by contributing to our Year-End Appeal, THANK YOU! After nine months when the Delaware Canal provided much-needed refuge, serenity, and recreation, it was clear that you wanted to help the Friends improve and maintain the place that had given you so much. Many people who contributed at year-end had never done so before.
YOUR GENEROSITY HAS EASED THE WAY INTO WHAT WE HOPE WILL BE A YEAR OF SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS.
THE 6TH FOR THE 4OTH
Can the sixth and final historic camelback bridge over the Canal be restored in time for the Friends of the Delaware Canal’s 40th anniversary in 2022?
Yes, we feel confident that it can be—with your help. Out of the 100+ bridges that once crossed the Delaware Canal, Spahr’s Bridge in Upper Black Eddy is one of only six that retains its authentic and iconic camelback structure. The Friends spearheaded the restoration of four of the other camelbacks, encouraged the fifth, and have had Spahr’s on our to-do list for years.
The Spahr’s Camelback Bridge east abutment is in especially bad shape.
Spahr’s Bridge has been a formidable project to tackle because not only is the superstructure severely deteriorated, but also both stone abutments are cracked, a condition exacerbated by two earthquakes. The $350,000-$400,000 cost of restoring Spahr’s Bridge has been an obstacle.
Now the stars are aligning. The relatively new owner of the property on either side of the Bridge believes in historic preservation and supports its restoration rather than modernization. The condition of Bridge is now so poor that action by the State is inevitable. The Friends have been very vocal in our support of handling the project using historic preservation best practices, and the State agrees. Plans are now underway to hire a highly qualified contractor to dismantle the superstructure taking care to inventory and record the existing members and store and reuse timber and hardware when possible. The State plans to contract with a consultant to prepare the plans and specifications for the repair of the stone abutments. The State will fund both the dismantling and the abutment projects.
Do not cross this bridge.
And we come to the part of the Spahr’s Bridge project with which you can help. Private contributions are being sought to fund the superstructure portion. In simpler terms, the trusses, the deck, the cross beams, and the hardware. Putting Spahr’s Bridge together requires expertise, skills, and passion. The Friends contribution to the project will help ensure that those requirements are met. We are very pleased and thankful for two very generous donations from the Goodfellow Fund and Barbara and Peter Sperry. They have given the Spahr’s Bridge restoration a great jump start.
More information about how you can help will be coming soon. If you’re already convinced, you can donate now by scrolling down on the www.fodc.org homepage to the Spahr’s Bridge contribution block or, even better, send your check to Friends of the Delaware Canal, 145 South Main Street, New Hope, PA 18938.
A Spotted Lanternfly egg mass. Please seek and destroy.
As we learned last year, getting rid of Spotted Lanternflies while they are alive is a challenge. They jump; they fly; they jump; they fly…
There is still time to control these destructive insects before they hatch and fly off on their pretty wings. Start finding and destroying their egg masses now. Spotted Lanternflies lay their eggs in the fall, usually on flat surfaces like tree trunks, rocks, walls, wood fencing, even outdoor equipment.
It may take a bit of investigating, but you will become better at tracking them down once you know what to look for. If you have an Ailanthus tree aka Tree of Heaven on your property, check there first. These trees are a Lanternfly favorite. If you noticed an infestation on your property, be sure to scan that area as well.
You can remove their mud-like egg masses with a paring knife or a small plastic card, like a credit card. Using a rigid surface, you can crush the eggs or, even better, remove and destroy the entire casing by scraping it into a plastic bag containing rubbing alcohol. Once the eggs come in contact with the liquid, they will die. Killing eggs now will help curb this pest this summer.
So, harness your pent-up pandemic energy and go Lanternfly hunting.
The Delaware Canal State Park has experienced a historic increase in visitation since last March when the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic set in. We’re pleased to say that the many people didn’t cause a dramatic increase in the amount of trash left behind, thanks to the care taken by visitors and the diligence of the sixty volunteers who serve in the Friends’ Canal Tenders program.
Many, many thanks to all the Tenders, who pick up trash, clear branches, and report problems throughout the year. Their pandemic precautioned clean-up efforts make the Canal a better place for both people and critters.
We are pleased to welcome two new Canal Tenders to the crew!
David Weiss has volunteered to co-tend the Canal from Black Rock Road to East Afton Avenue in Yardley along with veterans Ann and Keith Webb.
A. J. Zolton has taken on the section from Lock 17 (Treasure Island Lock) in Tinicum Township to Lock 18 in Uhlerstown.
Several sections in the southern end of the Canal remain without Tenders including:
• Riverfront Park to Beaver Street: Bristol Borough
• Beaver Street to the Bristol Lagoon at Jefferson Avenue: Bristol Borough
• The Bristol Lagoon to Green Lane: Bristol Borough
• Green Lane to Edgely Avenue: Bristol Township
• Edgely Avenue to Levittown Shopping Center: Bristol Township/Tullytown Borough
• Wheatsheaf Road to the Conrail Tunnel: Falls Township
Please let us know if you can help with any of these sections. The boundaries are not set in concrete, so feel free to propose a length other than those shown.
Being a Canal Tender is a rewarding experience in so many ways, and you’ll be in very good company. To find out more about what’s involved, visit the HELP page atfodc.orgor call 215-862-2021. And while you’re there, check out the Canal Action Team (CAT) page. Perhaps, it’s a volunteer opportunity just right for you.
Thanks to the convenience of being able to attend from home via a Zoom webinar, participation in our 2020 Annual Meeting on November 10 was the highest ever. Many were in attendance for the first time. This was a positive consequence of the pandemic, even though everyone missed not being together and sharing covered dishes.
During the webinar, the activities of 2020 were reviewed in a PowerPoint presentation, and a short video featuring Will Rivinus telling about his first canal walk made its debut. Friends’ organization business was conducted; and Delaware Canal State Park/PA DCNR representatives covered current and upcoming issues. These speakers were Jason Zimmerman, Assistant Director of the Bureau of State Parks; Devin Buzard, Park Manager; and Beth Hare, Assistant Manager. Beth included in her report the visual evidence of the success of her and her four-year-old daughter’s venture into mule cookie making.
Two retiring Board members were recognized for their service. During her eight-year tenure, JUDY FRANLIN was a dynamo serving as Secretary and Treasurer at different times. She will continue to be active as a member of the Finance and Development Committee. NANCY SMALL, a more recent Board member, shared her breadth of knowledge of the operations of other non-profits.
The membership re-elected JOAN FULLERTON, DAVID SCHAEFFER, and JACK TORRES to additional two-year terms. Elected to their first terms were Gordon Heisler and Ken Standig.
Here’s a bit about them.
GORDON HEISLER Living within a half-mile of the Delaware Canal for over forty years in Lower and Upper Makefield Townships and enjoying trips along the towpath since the 1970’s, Gordon has a unique appreciation for the waterway and towpath. He has been a Canal Tender for the Washington Crossing section for eight years and participated in several Canal Action Team projects. Gordon realizes the importance of preserving and improving this one-of-a-kind park. A member of the Friends for many years, Gordon joined the Board to assist in implementing improvements and spreading the word about the canal and towpath experience.
Professionally, after graduating from Rider University, Gordon spent forty years in oil and chemical logistics industries with FMC, Sunoco, and consulting. He also volunteers at the Morrisville Food Bank. Gordon and his wife Barbara enjoy biking and hiking on the Canal and traveling to visit many other trails throughout the United States and Europe.
KEN STANDIG Ken and his wife Julie moved to Buckingham Township full time from New York City and Long Island in 2019, but they have enjoyed life along the Delaware River for much longer than that. Annual summer camping trips with the Boy Scouts at Treasure Island Scout Reservation, canoe trips in high schooland college days, and family camping in the Delaware Water Gap were all part of their lives. Now they enjoy the views along the Canal towpath while biking, hiking, and walking their dog Dizzi.
Ken retired in 2018 after a 43-year career in engineering, during which he managed the planning, design, and rehabilitation of infrastructure projects. He found working on dams, locks, and canals to be the most interesting and challenging, including more than a dozen projects along the New York State (Erie) Canal and the D & R Canal in New Jersey. He hopes that his experience will be put to good use along the Delaware Canal. Ken has been a member of the Friends’ Advocacy, Restoration & Maintenance Committee for the last year. He has degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Lehigh University and is a licensed Professional Engineer and a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Welcome Gordon and Ken!
The departure of veteran Board member JACK DONOHUE at the beginning of January 2021 left a void on the Board. Well known for his enthusiasm and reasonable thinking, Jack was a great asset to the Friends during his two terms.
As always, the Board welcomes your participation and input. And, if you are interested in serving, please raise your hand.
Waterwheels once provided additional water to the southern end of the Canal.
Even before the Delaware Canal was fully opened in 1832, those responsible for its construction realized that the water supplied by the Lehigh River in Easton was not enough to maintain a full Canal, particularly in the southern end. To solve this problem, an “ingenious device” was erected at the Union Mill (since converted into The Waterworks, a residential condominium complex) in New Hope.
In June of 1831, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania contracted with Lewis S. Coryell and three of his business partners to erect a wing dam at Well’s Falls in the Delaware River and water wheels. The purpose of the dam was to supply water to a two-wheel system. There was an undershot water wheel driven by the power of the river flow, which was coupled with another wheel with buckets that scooped river water, raised it, and then allowed it to flow through a trunk leading to the Canal.
A traveler to New Hope in 1832 wrote, “This simple contrivance, without gearing or valves, or anything else liable to get out of order is more than sufficient to supply the Canal from New Hope downwards.” The waterwheels were capable of raising 3,500 cubic feet of water per minute. Although not as repair-free as the New Hope visitor envisioned, they remained in place until June of 1923 and then were carried away in a flood in 1936.
After 1923, the issue of insufficient water flowing southward reemerged, particularly when the level of the Delaware River dropped below the level of the New Hope inlet. Various remedies were tried, but none worked well enough.
As you have read in past issues of Canal News, the Friends, in partnership with the Delaware Canal State Park, are working to install a centrifugal pump in the River in the northern section of Washington Crossing Park. The pump and the electrical installation, financed by the Friends, are ready to go. The pipe leading from the River to the Canal is in place. Before putting the pump in operation, there is one approval that must be granted from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
The new “Bowman’s Hill” pump will augment the flow of water to Bristol as the New Hope waterwheels once did.
Lars Ahlman
Eric Beckhusen
Chris Cascone
Anna Christensen and Todd Borneman
Barbara and Jeff Clarke
Marc Engelsman
Terri and Jon Epstein
Heidi Furman
Dan Frank and Family
Harry Gamble
Melanie Gray and David Rubin
Edward Green
Nancy Hamill
Roxane and Bill Hansen
Jim Heim
Norma and Jeff Heller
Jill Henry
Jean Hewens
Kathleen Kennerley
Tom Kuhn
Jill Laurinaitis
Cathy Ann Leonard
Anthony Mannarino
Claire and Jerry Melican
Zoe Morawski
Anne and David Pearl
Francoise Picaronny
Tara Rivas
Jill and Howard Savin
Tony Tran
Kathrin Wagner
Paul West
Kari Williams
Alexander Witko
As the days get cooler and the nights get longer, the autumn tones of yellow and gold replace the vibrant flowers of summer. The migratory birds that kept us entranced during the spring and summer are finding their way back home as our lawnmowers, weed whackers, and lower backs get a much needed rest.
Moving into November, a large-scale contracted emergency dredging project will be in progress. While the park has already begun work with in-house staff, this larger project will allow for the removal and disposal of gravelbars that are present in locations such as the Dark Hollow Creek in New Hope, and the Hickory Run Creek in Point Pleasant along with several other locations. By removing barriers to the free flow of water within the canal prism the park will be better situated to manage future rain events. The loss of the canal banks at the High Falls Sub-canal Culvert in Upper Black Eddy is being evaluated by a qualified engineering consultant and over the coming months plans for the repair will be made.
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David Library of the American Revolution was once housed here, attracting scholars from around the world. This resource is known as the best collection of Revolutionary War-era documents outside of England. The library has been moved to Philadelphia, and the buildings and surrounding farmland are now in the capable hands of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. They acquired the 143-acre property in October of 2020, ensuring that the open land will always remain so.
The bridge superstructure has been dismantled, cataloged and put in storage while the rest of the work is being completed. The towpath was closed during the dismantling process and future closures are expected as the repairs continue. The next phase of the process is to work on repairing the abutments that support the bridge. The
There is always a silver lining to every situation, even the advent of COVID. To fight off feelings of isolation, many people turned to nature for comfort. All along the towpath, we certainly saw an increase in visitation as people jogged, walked, and biked, re-discovering the Canal and all it has to offer.
Please let us know if you would like to help with any of these sections or an area nearest you. When you become a Canal Tender, you join a group of volunteers who enjoy being a part of this historic waterway.
POP-UP SHORT WALKS
