Since 1978, the 73 miles downstream from the confluence of the East and West branches cascading out of the Catskill Mountains have been formally recognized for their natural appeal and recreation value. An analysis by Delaware Currents reveals that the top five hot spots Burlington, Salem, Gloucester, Warren and Mercer Counties - collectively make up more than half of the Delaware River watershed in New Jersey. This is true for most of the Delaware River; If you stand on one bank of the Delaware, you are most likely looking at another state. Delaware River Port Complex (including docking facilities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Delaware): largest freshwater port in the world, 2017 Delaware River Port Study: 90 million tons of cargo moved through the regional ports, supporting over 190,000 jobs and over $85 billion in total economic activity (from aMaritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay 2018 news release). Overfishing and reduced oxygen cause declining forage fish populations, a vital food sourcefor migratory shorebirds that depend on the Delaware Bay as a key migratory stopover site along the Atlantic Flyway. The Upper Watershed is dominated by mature, even-aged forests. Area: 13,539 square miles in four states, plus the 782 square-mile Delaware Bay. See the story map. The watershed of the Delaware River drains an area of 14,119 square miles (36,570km2) and encompasses 42 counties and 838 municipalities in five U.S. statesNew York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware. A combination of chronic water overuse and historic drought conditions are creating chaos. Publication: Feb. 14, 2023 jersey watersheds Vital but Undervalued The bay's outermost boundary separating it from the Atlantic are two capes: Cape Henlopen and Cape May. ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AND THE DELAWARE RIVER WATERSHED The Delaware is the longest un-dammed river in the United States east of the Mississippi, extending 330 miles from Upstate New York to the mouth of the Delaware Bay. ), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe, and EPA Region III Administrator Adam Ortiz today announced $595,000 in grant funding for clean water projects in Delaware.The funding will help protect the First State's beaches, wetlands, and waterways. Natural Lands' Wild Weeds, July 22. An overview of the monitoring project for the entire state, including links to methods, maps, and publications, can be found on USGS's 305(b) Ambient Groundwater Quality Monitoring webpage. Get updates about our conservation work and how to help birds. The upper portion of the watershed remains largely forested. But by early last year, Biden administration officials became increasingly concerned that the lakes water levels could soon drop so low that hydroelectric dams would have to shut down. In the case of the Delaware River Watershed, rain that falls and water that runs in streams throughout 13,500 square miles across parts of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania eventually makes its way into the Delaware River and Delaware Bay. Covering 13,500 square miles and four statesPennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Delawarethe Delaware River Watershed is a diverse landscape of more than 35 ecological systems and 185 natural communities. For its size, the Upper Delaware River contains some of the highest water quality in the eastern United States. A $1 million state grant is headed to the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation to convert longtime local tourist attraction Graffiti Pier into a public park. The NYC Dept. Supports the water needs of two of the nation's largest cities: Philadelphia and New York City, as well as ~one million people in northern New Jersey. In the Lower Watershed, the Delaware Bay suffers from stressors like nutrient pollution and sea-level rise that are degrading bird habitats along salt marshes and beaches. 216 major ones; largest are the Schuylkill and Lehigh rivers, respectively - both in Pennsylvania, Non-Tidal River: 200 miles from Trenton, N.J. north to its headwaters in N.Y.; clean, high-quality waters, Part of DRBC's Special Protection Waters Program, 75% in the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System, Tidal River: 130 miles from Trenton, N.J. south to the Delaware Bay; aka the Delaware Estuary, where the river's freshwater mixes with the ocean's saltwater, The Delaware Estuary is part of the National Estuary Program, which protects estuaries of national significance; managed by the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. There are 216 tributary streams and creeksan estimated 14,057 miles of streams and creeksin the watershed. The Biden administration is pushing to cut 2 to 4 million acre-feet in water usage, and is in negotiations with the seven states affected. It provides important year-round habitats and critical migratory stopovers for approximately 400 bird species. Collaboration has always been the key to success in improving habitat conditions and water quality for drinking, fishing and recreating, with the federal Clean Water Act remaining a powerful tool for improving and protecting the watershed. Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed July Events Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania. The fact that much of the water conservation could take place this year and next as opposed to starting in 2024 under the alternatives outlined in the draft environmental impact statement makes it a more appealing alternative that will leave reservoirs at higher levels, Entsminger said. But. Covering 13,500 square miles and four statesPennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Delawarethe Delaware River Watershed is a diverse landscape of more than 35 ecological systems and 185 natural communities. The Delaware River (and a portion of the West Branch) serve as the border between New York and Pennsylvania. Smart and sustainable management will be required if the Delaware River is to remain resilient to the challenges of natural gas exploration, aging water infrastructure, continued urban development, and climate change. Toggle Tributaries of the Delaware River subsection, Toggle Tributaries of Delaware Bay subsection, Mill Creek (Montgomery County, Pennsylvania), "Moving from Assessment to ProtectionThe Delaware River Watershed Source Water Protection Plan" (PWSID #1510001), Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, Delaware River Port Authority Official Website, National Park Service: Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, National Park Service: Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River, National Park Service: Lower Delaware Wild & Scenic River, Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River, Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, Delaware River Iron Ship Building and Engine Works, Pilots' Association For The Bay & River Delaware, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Delaware_River_tributaries&oldid=1126577328, Wild and Scenic Rivers of the United States, Lists of river tributaries of the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0, Flows into the Delaware at Flatbrookville, near Walpack Bend in, Tributaries include: Pophandusing Creek, Beaver Brook, Mountain Lake Brook, Furnace Brook, Bear Creek, Trout Brook, This page was last edited on 10 December 2022, at 02:52. As part of this weeks agreement, the parties expect to formally start the 2026 process soon. Bald eagles reside or overwinter all along the river, surviving on fish as their primary food source, Horseshoe crabs breed on the shores of the Delaware Bay more than any other place in the world. It powers agricultural land and urban areas, serving roughly 1 in 10 Americans. We think its good policy, he said. Delaware Watersheds This is probably the largest conservation plan in the history of the river, he said. Delaware River, river of the Atlantic slope of the United States, meeting tidewater at Trenton, New Jersey, about 130 miles (210 km) above its mouth. PDF Re V It Al Izi Ng Th E De L Awa Re Ri V E R Wa Te Rs H E D To increase our sense of community for this shared resource, the Delaware River Basin Commission recently launched Our Shared Waters as a fresh take on the watershed we all share. Our watershed provides a valuable resource -- drinking water -- to over 13 million people, including 4.5 million residents of New York City and 1.5 million residents of Philadelphia. Often they are themselves the border. Arizona Gov. That was based on the time it takes water from the . Over 15 million people (roughly 5 percent of the nation's population) rely on the waters of the Delaware River Basin for . The purpose is plain: a clean Delaware for future generations. The Delaware Canal State Park runs between Easton and Bristol, PA and offers around 59 miles of towpath. 2023American Rivers, All Rights Reserved. New York City and Philadelphia. Brewers depend on clean, reliable water to survive and thrive, just like birds. Unlike other geographic watershed programs, the federal government has never had a comprehensive strategy addressing conservation, water quality, and fish and wildlife habitat protection. The states would take additional action to protect reservoir elevations of 1,000 feet above sea level at Lake Mead and 3,500 feet at Lake Powell. The Delaware River Watershed crosses multiple human-made boundaries, which poses a challenge to keeping it healthy. Cut Climate Pollution to Protect Birds and People, Stop the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Extinction Act, Help Save America's Birds & Other Wildlife. The Delaware River has come a long way from its polluted past in the late 1800s to mid 1900s, and its clean-up is hailed as one of the world's top water quality success stories. The biggest consumptive users are out of basin diversions for NYC and northern N.J., which total almost 2/3 of all water in the Basin that is used consumptively. France deploys 40,000 officers amid riots over police killing of teen, Ukraine live briefing: Pence visits Ukraine; Erdogan decries Quran burning in Sweden amid stalled NATO bid, Snow has been abundant in California this year, States could agree to cut back on their water use, or the federal government could step in, Interiors environmental review of reservoir operations, in negotiations with the seven states affected. Simply put, it describes the area of land that feeds a particular waterway, like a stream, river, lake or wetland. Delaware Aqueduct to Shut Down for Repairs: October 2024, Hydrologic Conditions (Streamflow, Groundwater), View flyer for the May 11 Public Info Session, Fact Sheet: Repairing the Delaware Aqueduct, The Delaware Aqueduct Repair Project and its Impacts on Watershed Communities. Rivers and Streams: 4,062 miles of freshwater rivers and streams. However, the impacts of development combined with the unpredictable threat of climate change continue to threaten this vibrant river system. Spread the word. As expected, more impervious surfaceoccurs inthe more developed/urbanizedsections of the basin. Consumptive Use: Over 850 million gallons a day; this is water withdrawn from the Basin but not returned. The Delaware River begins in two branches in the Catskill Mountains of New York. Read on to learn more about how Audubon is protecting the Delaware River Watershed here. New Along the Delaware stories highlighting infrastructure funding workshops for municipalities, and the Search for the Cooper River expedition. American Rivers intends to be part of the solution, collaborating with the entire conservation community to increase awareness and federal funding for restoration in the basin, employ innovative policy to improve water quality and habitat, and help boost recognition of the importance of a drinkable, fishable, and swimmable Delaware River by local residents. Where Does the Delaware River Start? Data for the Delaware River Basin can be accessed by: Portions of western Orange and Ulster and eastern Broome Counties, and. Starting in June 2024, the NYC Delaware Basin Reservoir levels will be lowered in anticipation of the fall shutdown. The recently formed caucus shows substantial federal and state support of one of the founding rivers of America for birds and communities. If the states deviated from the priority system and distributed cuts equally among the Lower Basin, California and its powerful farming regions such as the Imperial Valley stood to suffer a major blow. The Delaware Region's Watersheds - Delaware Nature Society It encompasses Burlington County, Camden County, Gloucester County, Mercer County, and Salem County. The importance of connectivity remains a key part of the management plan, protecting headwater tributaries from the impacts of fracking as the river is restored downstream from historic mining damages. All of the watersheds that eventually drain to the Delaware River make up the Delaware River Basin. Eight million people live in communities across the Delaware River Basin. The largest free-flowing river in the eastern United States, the Delaware River runs past forests, farmlands, and villages, and it also links some of the most densely populated regions in America.In 2000, the National Wild and Scenic River System incorporated key segments of the lower Delaware River to form this unit of the National Park System. To stabilize the river, the three states that make up the Lower Basin California, Arizona and Nevada have agreed to voluntarily conserve 3 million acre-feet of water over the next three years, which amounts to 13 percent of these states total allocation from the river. Thats because Nevada, which has a small allocation of 300,000 acre-feet per year from the river, wants to preserve the chance of getting some of that water back post-2027. Read their reports. The glowing neon sign across the river reading Trenton Makes, the World Takes originated from a 1910 Chamber of Commerce contest to sum up the citys manufacturing virtues. More than 17 million people get their drinking water from the Delaware River basin, including two of the five largest cities in the U.S.New York City and Philadelphia. Detailed map of the Delaware River Watershed. USGS Delaware River Dashboard (webpage) Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel U: Delaware River Watershed Initiative Water Quality Mapper (webpage) Shippensburg University: Delaware River Basin Project (webpage) River Runner: this application by web visualization/developer Sam Learner allows you to click on the map . Gateway Gardens: a new approach to stormwater management. Delaware River Region. Along the way, small waterways grow and form larger tributaries including the Lehigh, Schuylkill and Christina Rivers. Degradation of natural defenses against floods have exacerbated natural disasters such as Superstorm Sandy and cost taxpayers millions in repairs. In June, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton testified before the Senate that states needed to stop using 2 million to 4 million acre-feet of water up to one-third of the rivers annual average flow or the federal government would step in to protect the river. To stabilize the river, the three states that make up the Lower Basin California, Arizona and Nevada have agreed to voluntarily conserve 3 million acre-feet of water over the next three . But in the 20th Century, a wave of state and federal environmental regulation, notably the Clean Water Act, and regional partnerships like the Delaware River Basin Commission, marked a critical turning point for the watershed. Gavin Newsom (D) and Nevada Gov. Natural Lands' Insect Safari for Kids, July 18. Audubon Pennsylvania is a proud partner in this effort. The Delaware River Watershed (12,800 square miles) covers parts of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Audubon Maryland-DC and Audubon Pennsylvania have joined forces to become Audubon Mid-Atlantic. Despite successful conservation efforts across the Delaware River basin, the hard-working river has not been immune to the pressures of development. Whats being done? Philadelphia, Just this month, the Delaware River was named 2020 River of the Year, in recognition of its improved water quality, ecosystem restoration and community revitalization. Get to Know the Delaware River Watershed | Audubon Pennsylvania [1]:p.9. Patty Elkis, Director of Policy and Planning for the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, looks at the health of the watershed in two ways: conservation and development. Spread the word. . Getting together everyone with a . Delaware River Basin - Stroud Water Research Center Its the least you can do. Delaware River Watershed Map - New York State Department of U.S. READ MORE: A MAMMOTH INDUSTRIAL PARK IS PLANNED NEAR DELAWARE RIVER IN PENNSYLVANIA'S SLATE BELT The Delaware River basin drains 1,117 square miles (2,890 km 2) from the outflow of the Perry Lake reservoir. Delaware River - American Rivers 2023 Delaware River Watershed Initiative. 4 of the biggest threats facing the Delaware River, according to How healthy is the Delaware River watershed? It is important to note that this is not an agreement this is an agreement to submit a proposal and an agreement to the terms of that proposal to be analyzed by the federal government, Buschatzke told reporters. Delaware River Watershed | National Wildlife Federation [1]:p.9 The Delaware River rises in New York's Catskill Mountains flowing southward for 419 miles (674km) into Delaware Bay where its waters enter the Atlantic Ocean near Cape May in New Jersey and Cape Henlopen in Delaware. Colorado River states, Biden make deal to protect drought-stricken Land covervaries from mostly tree canopy in the northern portion of the basin tomore urbanized and farmland in the southern section. [1]:p.9 This total area constitutes approximately 0.4% of the land mass in the United States. Delaware River | History, Facts, & George Washington The last time the basin states Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico had negotiated cutbacks in their usage, it had taken nearly six years. Type in your search and hit Enter on desktop or hit Go on mobile device. The dry period has lasted more than two decades, draining the major reservoirs along the river. Our common bond is a belief that we all are accountable for a healthy watershed. Philadelphia's entire land surface ultimately drains to one of seven watersheds that are tributaries to the Delaware River. The links below go to United States Geological Survey (USGS) web pages. Program Updates & Accomplishments - Delaware River Partnership The watershed will have habitat of sufficient quantity and quality, achieved through natural infrastructure, restored streams and wetlands and strong policies to protect the watersheds natural resources. Entsminger said it was also a major step forward for protecting a vital water source for the West. Download the brochure. Delaware Highlands Conservancy's Edible & Medicinal Plant Walk with the Botanical Hiker, July 15. FILE - The Philadelphia side of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge spanning the Delaware River is pictured on Feb. 10, 2021. Delaware River Watershed | Audubon The Delaware Aqueduct has been leaking upwards of 35 million gallons per day since the 1990s. Californias water users will work quickly to implement conservation that will protect the system in the near term, JB Hamby, the chairman of the Colorado River Board of California, said in a statement. Promoting more-inclusive outdoor experiences for all. But state and federal officials have said they are comfortable that these reductions will be enough to protect the reservoirs until 2026, when the states and the federal government have been planning a major renegotiation of how Colorado River water is shared. Any yet, the river offers so much more than a drinking water supply to the 42 counties and five states it passes through on its way to the Atlantic Ocean. LEARN MORE. Basins are made up of multiple watersheds and drain to larger bodies of water, like the Chesapeake Bay or Delaware River. Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River (U.S. National Park Service) Delaware River Region - Wikipedia There are 40 million people, seven states, and 30 Tribal Nations who rely on the Colorado River Basin for basic services such as drinking water and electricity, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a statement Monday. Audubon focuses on funding and bipartisan engagement for clean, reliable water for birds and people.