Welcome back to National Parks and other public lands with T!
The Lower Delaware River, south of Easton, NJ, received a National Wild and Scenic designation in 2000. A Wild and Scenic River status prohibits dams and other impediments to free-flow. Also, it seeks to preserve the river’s ecosystem and water quality. I recently walked across this river via the bridge at Washington Crossing.
The Lower Delaware has a long history. The Lenape fished, hunted and traded here. Later, colonial mill towns sprang up in strategic riverfront spots. Canals then ran alongside the river in the 1800s, transporting coal to Philadelphia and New York City.
The river is an important part of the Atlantic Flyway and serves as a resting area for migratory waterfowl along their journey. It also provides habitat for American shad, striped bass, and river herring. Many years ago, I got caught in Shad Fest traffic while on the way to a wedding.
Last year, the American Rivers organization named the Delaware the 2020 River of the Year. Because of local groups’ progress in cleaning up pollution in the Delaware, they were chosen for this honor. You can learn about this award by watching the 2 minute video embedded at the bottom of this post.
Delaware River Posts►
- Upper Delaware: Roebling
- Upper Delaware: Zane Grey
- Middle Delaware
- Delaware Water Gap
- Lower Delaware River
Location: 355 Washington Crossing Pennington Rd, Titusville, NJ 08560
Designation: State Park, National Landmark
Date designated/established: 1912
Date of my visit: February 20, 2021