Photo photo credit Philadelphia Water Dept.

Originating in the Catskill Mountains of New York, the Delaware River flows over the fall-line between the Piedmont Plateau and the Coastal Plain as it passes between the cities of Trenton, New Jersey and Morrisville, Pennsylvania. Here the river experiences high and low tides (like the beach) over the next 130 plus miles before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. That’s why we call this area the Tidal Delaware River.

The Delaware deepens and widens as it crosses the flat, sandy Coastal Plain, allowing for the passage of larger ocean going vessels. Shipping and trade routes existing since the early days of American history support vibrant port and industrial centers. Colonial-era town centers such as Bordentown, Bristol, and Philadelphia continue to thrive into the 21st century, and offer opportunities to experience history and culture. Revolutionary War battlefields including Fort Mifflin and Red Bank hug the banks of the river. The mansions and estates of famous Americans such as William Penn and Walt Whitman sit near the rivers edge.

The industrial and residential water pollution that plagued the tidal Delaware in the past century has been steadily ameliorated by an engaged citizenry empowered by the Clean Water Act. This allows the river towns and boroughs to turn the river into a “front yard” for public recreational uses such as boating, fishing, birding, walking trails, and other eco-tourism and heritage activities. Waterfront stadiums, aquariums, entertainment amphitheatres, museums, restaurants and more can be found in the larger cities such as Trenton, Camden, and Philadelphia. New commercial and residential developments are also competing for riverfront vistas.

A variety of ecological resources are found along the river. Wetlands and forested riparian edge complexes offer important fish and wildlife habitat, including food and shelter for anadromous fish, waterfowl, and wading birds. As fish return in greater numbers there are opportunities to catch striped and smallmouth bass, shad, catfish, and white perch.

The tidal Delaware is a working river, with a buoy-lined shipping lane and anchorages plied by muscular tugs towing container ships full of produce, raw materials, and manufactured goods. But recreational power and sail boaters have a long established presence on the river, including a well developed network of boat clubs, marinas, and boat access ramps. The Delaware River Yachtsmen’s League counts 29 boat, yacht, sailing, and canoe clubs as member organizations. Private marinas offer boating berths, fuel, pump out facilities, and other services.

Native Americans paddled the first water trails of the Tidal Delaware River. Now, 21st Century Americans can motor, sail or paddle on these long established routes. We hope the Tidal Delaware water trail map is a useful guide for river and shoreline exploration.