The Delaware River is an amazing river with a rich history...
We are just north of where George Washington historically crossed!
The Delaware River and the surrounding river country offer some of the most beautiful views one could witness. From the flying American Bald Eagles to the magestic Devil's Tea Table cliffs that overlook the river and the abundance of diverse wildlife, the Delaware River really does have it all. You and your family can come see the iconic river where our great nation formed, and it's right in your backyard!
Here, we hope that you can learn a thing or two about a really special place about the Delaware River.
DELAWARE RIVER FUN FACTS
- 330 mile total length
- 13,539 sq. mile watershed
- Mean freshwater discharge is 11,550 cubic feet (330 m³) per second
- Barrier between states of PA/NJ and most of the DE/NJ barrier
- Flows through NY, NJ, PA, & DE
- BEGINNING/END: Catskill Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean
- Supplies water to 15 million people ~ 5% of the Nation
- Fish Species include Smallmouth Bass, Shad, Walleye, Carp, Trout, Perch, Salmon, American American Eels
- First mapped out in 1609 by Dutch Explorer Henry Hudson and his expedition
- The most famous crossing involved George Washington during the night of December 25-26, 1776 when he led a successful surprise attack on the Hessian troops in Trenton, NJ
- First Native Americans habited the river valley in 8000 B.C.
EARLY MAP OF THE DELAWARE RIVER (CIRCA 1655)
(Click the map to view the full size, crisp and clear version)
DELAWARE RIVER COMMERCE
The magnitude of the commerce of Philadelphia has made the improvements of the river below that port of great importance. Small improvements were attempted by Pennsylvania as early as 1771. Commerce was once important on the upper river, primarily prior to railway competition (1857).
- The Delaware Division of the Pennsylvania Canal, running parallel with the river from Easton to Bristol, opened in 1830.
- The Delaware and Raritan Canal, which runs along the New Jersey side of the Delaware River from Bulls Island, New Jersey to Trenton, unites the waters of the Delaware and Raritan rivers as it empties the waters of the Delaware River via the canal outlet in New Brunswick. This canal water conduit is still used as a water supply source by the State of New Jersey.
- The Morris Canal (now abandoned and almost completely filled in) and the Delaware and Hudson Canal connected the Delaware and Hudson rivers.
- The Chesapeake and Delaware Canal joins the waters of the Delaware with those of the Chesapeake Bay.
In the "project of 1885" the U.S. government undertook systematically the formation of a 26-foot (7.9 m) channel 600 feet (180 m) wide from Philadelphia to deep water in Delaware Bay. The River and Harbor Act of 1899 provided for a 30-foot (9.1 m) channel 600 feet (180 m) wide from Philadelphia to the deep water of the bay.
PLACES TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DELAWARE RIVER
*Many of the facts are taken from various websites. These websites include the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, DelawareRiver.Net, and DelawareRiverWiki
FREE BBQ MEAL | Exclusively Redeem halfway during the trip at "The Famous River Hot Dog Man" FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE | Shuttle bus rides to and from the river included.
FREE KEY CHECK | Our keycheck is free! All keys should be checked in our office to prevent loss/damage in the river.
FREE LIFE JACKETS | Safety is our number one concern. Included with every rental!
ON SITE FACILITIES | Restrooms, Changing Rooms, Showers, and a great Snack Bar!
NO DEPOSITS REQUIRED | We are the only outfitter that does not require any deposits for rentals!
- Gay Day Floatilla
- Kathy's Tube for the Cause
- Great American Water Gun War
- Labor Day Tubing Finale
EVENT: The 3rd Annual Gay Day Floatilla
DATE: July 7, 2012 - Every 1st Saturday in July
EVENT DESCRIPTION: Show your support to the LGBT Community by attending our 3rd Annual Gay Day Pride Floatilla! Make sure to get here in time for our co-ed swimsuit contest @ 1PM. Contestants will be eligible to win 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places prizes!
Prizes will include:
- 1st Place: Family-Pack (4) Free Passes & T-shirt
- 2nd Place: 2 Free Passes & T-shirt
- 3rd Place: Free Pass & T-shirt
EVENT: The 11th Annual Kathy's Tube for the Cause
DATE: August 4, 2012 - Every 1st Saturday in August
EVENT DESCRIPTION: Help find a cure for breast cancer with us and the 10th Annual Kathy's Tube for the Cause! Proceeds will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure , formerly known as the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Make sure to wear some pink!
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Event: The 3rd Annual Great American Water Gun War
Date: August 25, 2012 - Every Last Saturday in August
Event Description: Size does matter...when it comes to water guns! Get ready to get soaked during our Great American Water Gun War! Spray everything that comes in your path for this fun family event!
Event Special:
- Aqua Zooka rentals FREE for everyone August 25
- Check back for times on the battle schedule
EVENT: Labor Day Tubing Extravaganza!
DATE: September 3, 2012 - Every Labor Day
EVENT DESCRIPTION: This is the LAST CALL FOR TUBING in 2012! Make sure to come tubing before it gets too cold! We will offer rafting, canoeing, and kayaking up until the first week of October, weather permitting. Please call us for details.
Related Links:
- Enjoy a memorable experience before Summer's over
- See what you would be missing out on...