Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2020 - 6

The Delaware River Viaduct crosses the river above Portland, PA. It is one of the many remnants of prior industries that utilized the
river corridor and can be seen while paddling the river.

Below Easton, the river runs for 60 miles along
Delaware Canal State Park. With regular access on both
sides of the river, this slower, calmer section of the river is
closer to many paddlers in the region. It also commonly
experiences less use and is a great option to float and fish
at the same time. Keep a sharp eye on the map if you are
planning on paddling through the wing dams at New
Hope and Lumberville, which are significant hazards and
safety concerns. The river here is beautiful and still largely
in a natural state along the riverbanks, though increasingly
homes and towns dot the shoreline. Wildlife is common
along the river if you paddle quietly and keep a sharp eye
open as you round each broad bend. If you are on a longer
trip, stop for lunch in quaint towns like Frenchtown, New
Jersey. In addition to good food, there are plenty of historic
and cultural learning opportunities in this reach of the
river if you pause your paddling and explore off
the water.

Paddling tidewater-exploring the
Tidal Delaware River

If you are an adventurous paddler, check out the lower
Delaware River below Trenton Falls. While the tidewater
section seems flat and innocuous, it is more challenging
paddling than on the upper river. The tidal range of the
river varies by as much as 10 feet in height, and flows can
speed up, change, and reverse in a short period of time.
The reward for appropriate planning and safety on this
reach of the river is the chance to experience varied wildlife
and intriguing industry and shipping on the river. With
no rapids to block upstream progress, there are also many
creeks that enter the river that can be explored, and wildlife
areas to experience, like Darby Creek in the John Heinz
National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum. The lower end of
Neshaminy Creek in Pennsylvania and Rancocas Creek in

The Delaware River Water Trail

The Delaware River Water Trail website provides
details about where to launch and locating facilities
along the river. A map and guide is available at
www.delawareriverwatertrail.org. The trail
focuses on the reach from the confluence of the
East and West Branches until it reaches tidewater.
A separate trail covers the tidewater section of the
river. The trail is a cooperative project involving
the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
and numerous partners. The map and guide can
help you plan your float on the water and lead
you to new and exciting opportunities on the
river. Additional detailed maps of the river, the
Delaware River Recreation Map Set, are available
from the Delaware River Basin Commission
through the State of New Jersey.

A United States Coast Guard ship plies the waters of the lower Delaware River.
Great paddling is available on the tidal section of the lower river, as long as
boaters pay close attention to the safety concerns of large vessels and tides.

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * May/June 2020

www.fishandboat.com

http://www.delawareriverwatertrail.org http://www.fishandboat.com

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2020

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