Delaware Canal Towpath Washes Out Again

Just as things come back to normal on the Delaware Canal a flood comes through and sets things back. This happened in 2004 and 2005 when flood damage closed sections of the canal towpath until June 2010. The 2004 flood came less than a year after the completion of a $5 million dollar upgrade that improved the surface of the towpath from Bristol to Easton.

The latest flood event caused damage between Easton and Bowman's Hill south of New Hope and has resulted in the following restrictions:

• Towpath from Easton to Wy-Hit-Tuk Park posted "Warning- Trail CLOSED due to flooding" and "No Trespassing."
• Towpath from Wy-Hit-Tuk Park to Brown's Terrace posted "Warning - Hazardous Conditions due to flooding. No Bicycles.'"
• Towpath from the Theodore Roosevelt Recreation Area in Raubsville to Mueller's Stop Gate posted "Warning - Hazardous Conditions due to flooding. No Bicycles."
• Break in towpath south of Mulligan's Bridge in Upper Black Eddy is barricaded.
• Towpath from Lock 13 (Mountainside Inn) in Point Pleasant to the Virginia Forrest Recreation Area north of Centre Bridge posted "Warning - Hazardous Conditions due to flooding. No Bicycles."
• Towpath south of the Water Works in New Hope - a single spot area ( crater 20 ft.) posted "Danger Keep Out" on both the north and south sides.
• Towpath at the Bowman's Hill waste gates south of New Hope - a single spot area (erosion 20 ft.) posted "Danger Keep Out" on both the north and south sides.

The Theodore Roosevelt Recreation Area between Raubsville and
Riegelsville under water - 3/11/2011.

Photo by Carol Mebus
From the Friends of the Delaware Canal