Early March flooding in the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers caused damages to both canal towpaths. Repairs to the Lehigh Canal Towpath are mostly complete but the Delaware Canal Towpath is a different story. Some areas still remain closed or have restrictions.
The towpath is a very popular hiking and biking destination and provides access to shore fishing along the Delaware River on the PA side. The Delaware River at Easton and south is prone to flooding. Remember, a series of hurricanes and storms between 2004 and 2006 caused repeated flooding that completely tore away major portions of the Delaware Canal, and rendered much of the 60 mile long pathway from Easton to Bristol unusable. It took 30 million dollars and years to restore the path and the canal, which were officially re-opened in July of 2010.
The most notable damages to the Delaware Canal Towpath from the recent March flooding were a breach in Bridgeton Township, a wall collapse in the Waterworks in New Hope, and a wall collapse at Lock 12 in Lumberville. The water level made it up to the door handle on the comfort station at the Teddy Roosevelt Recreation Area, and the Fish Ladder in Easton was completely flooded.
The Delaware Canal State Park Rangers have made the following postings along the towpath for visitor information and safety. Please call the Park Office at 610-982-5560 for any additional information.
- Towpath from Easton to Wy-Hit-Tuk Park posted "Warning- Trail CLOSED due to flooding. No Tresspassing."
- Towpath from Wy-Hit-Tuk Park to Brown's Terrace posted "Warning - Hazardous Conditions due to flooding. No Bicycles.”
- Towpath from the Theodore Roosevelt Recreation Area in Raubsville to Mueller's Stop Gate posted "Warning - Hazardous Conditions due to flooding. No Bicycles."
- Break in towpath south of Mulligan's Bridge in Upper Black Eddy is barricaded.
- Towpath from Lock 13 (Mountainside Inn) in Point Pleasant to the Virginia Forrest Recreation Area north of Centre Bridge posted "Warning - Hazardous Conditions due to flooding. No Bicycles."
Here is the list of damages from the March 2011 flooding:
- Easton Fish Ladder viewing well/chamber completely flooded.
- Damage to the towpath trail surface and canal slope between Easton and Wy-Hit-Tuk Park. Trail surface eroded to base material. A section of the towpath is missing; downed trees are across the trail.
- Eastern miter gate on Sewer Treatment Plant stop gate has broken free and dislodged from its hinge pin position.
- Damage to trail surface From Wy-Hit-Tuk Park to Brown's Terrace.
- Damage to towpath trail surface and canal slope south from the Theodore Roosevelt Recreation Area to Mueller's Stop Gate.
- Debris on overflow north of Rocky Falls (Mueller's). Erosion.
- Slope sloughing south of Lock 20 at the Nockamixon Cliffs.
- Significant break in the towpath embankment south of Mulligan's Bridge in Upper Black Eddy. (This break is inland.)
- Damage to trail surface from the Mountainside Inn in Point Pleasant to the Virginia Forrest Recreation Area.
- Significant washout at Devil's Half Acre between Point Pleasant and Lumberville.
- Towpath washout behind Black Bass Hotel/pedestrian bridge.
- The berm-side wall of Lock 12 in Lumberville collapsed.
- Approximately 1/4 mile of towpath surface washout near Green Hill Road.
- Towpath washout just south of Delaware Quarry.
- Overflow south of Delaware Quarry covered with debris.
- River wall and towpath damage north of the Virginia Forrest Recreation Area.
- Over washing of trail surface from Odette's in New Hope south to Bowman's Hill. DAMAGE HAS BEEN REPAIRED; TOWPATH IS OPEN.
- Towpath eroded at the Bowman's Hill waste gates. DAMAGE HAS BEEN REPAIRED; TOWPATH IS OPEN.
Comments