SUSAN TAYLOR, Friends of the Delaware Canal
The Delaware Canal is now filled with water from Easton to Durham, a 9.7-mile section. On July 24, the state park staff opened the gate in Easton that allows Lehigh River water to flow into the canal.
The northern end of the canal had been essentially dry since October 2019.
Water was restored because two major capital projects have been completed, both funded and administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
The decayed drop gate at Locks 22-23 in Raubsville, Northampton County, was removed, and a new, heavy timber gate was constructed and set in place. The Fry’s Run Aqueduct in Williams Township was completely replaced and the surrounding stone and concrete walls rebuilt because of damage caused by torrential local rain.
When the extensive repair work at the Tinicum Creek Aqueduct is finished in the coming weeks, all three of the current capital projects will be done, and it is anticipated that the Lehigh River water will flow south from Durham to New Hope.
The Delaware Canal filled with water is a very welcome sight.
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