Audubon recently added the Delaware River Watershed to its national Water initiative, joining iconic ecosystems including the Great Lakes and Floridas Everglades. Audubon Takes Minnesota and Wisconsin Policy Makers on Tour of Upper Mississippi. Tributaries are arranged generally north to south from the source of the river to its mouth, its confluence with the Delaware River, tributaries within that rivers' watershed are mentioned in notes. The new deal among the states would require the Lower Basin to conserve at least 3 million acre-feet by 2026, with at least half of that coming this year. Info Alerts Maps Calendar Fees A River and its History 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. Seeking Auwo: Inside the Search to Find a Secretive Tropical Bird Lost to Science, This Wave Theory of Spring Migration Will Prepare You for Your Next Birding Outing, Get a full year of Audubon Magazine delivered, Access a free guide of more than 800 species of North American birds, Discover the impacts of climate change on birds and their habitats, Learn more about the birds you love through audio clips, stunning photography, and in-depth text. Our mission is to protect the rivers and streams that provide drinking water for more than 15 million people across four states. The money from the Inflation Reduction Act would pay farmers, Native American tribes, cities and others who voluntarily forgo their supplies. 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. Cut Climate Pollution to Protect Birds and People, Stop the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Extinction Act, Help Save America's Birds & Other Wildlife. Promoting more-inclusive outdoor experiences for all. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice at American Rivers. 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. 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. Great blue herons can sometimes be seen hunting American shad that travel unobstructed between the upper reaches of the river and the Atlantic Ocean. Philadelphia, Katie Hobbs (D), California Gov. 12 Parks and Trails to Explore in the Delaware River Watershed | New But there are more steps to ultimately make this binding and enforceable.. Philadelphia's entire land surface ultimately drains to one of seven watersheds that are tributaries to the Delaware 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 years, which amounts to 13 percent of these states total allocation from the river. These days, tourism is the largest industry in the Upper Delaware region. Getting together everyone with a . The purpose is plain: a clean Delaware for future generations. How Do Wildfires in Canadas Boreal Forest Affect Birds Across the Continent? 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. Basins are made up of multiple watersheds and drain to larger bodies of water, like the Chesapeake Bay or Delaware River. The Delaware Water Gap NRA was the result of a failed plan to build a dam on river at Tocks Island, just north of the Delaware Water Gap, for flood control and hydroelectric power. Entsminger said it was also a major step forward for protecting a vital water source for the West. Help secure the future for birds at risk from climate change, habitat loss and other threats. The 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. 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. Eight million people live in communities across the Delaware River Basin. The links below go to United States Geological Survey (USGS) web pages. On Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, the Delaware River Basin Commission, a regulatory agency responsible for the water supply of more than 13 million people in four Northeastern states, moved to ban gas drillers from dumping fracking wastewater in the Delaware River watershed and to . Delaware River Watershed | Audubon 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. 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. In the Central Watershed, forests give way to urbanization, agriculture, energy infrastructure, and other fragmenting uses. Our vision for the Delaware River Watershed itself is one of an inclusive space for families of color to engage, learn, and understand the flowing connection that most of us take for granted . This time, Touton gave the states two months to reach a deal. Delaware River Watershed Initiative [1]:p.9. Not sure if you live in the Delaware River Watershed? And Audubon draws on the strength of its network, truly local everywhere to engage a diverse audience in conservation about the watershed we share. [2] The bay is bordered by the State of New Jersey and the State of Delaware. Delaware River: American Rivers' 2020 River of the Year. National Audubon Society Or take action immediately with one of our current campaigns below: The Audubon Bird Guide is a free and complete field guide to more than 800 species of North American birds, right in your pocket. Read on to learn more about how Audubon is protecting the Delaware River Watershed here. From New Jersey, the Big Flatbrook, Pequest, Musconetcong, and Maurice rivers, plus Oldmans, Raccoon and Rancocas creeks, flow into the Delaware. That launched intense negotiations that blew through two deadlines and at times involved bitter disputes between the parties. Want to know how your actions can help make a difference for our planet? The National Wildlife Federation and its partners want to further educate and connect these families to the riverupstream and downstream, land, and waterand help them advocate for clean drinking water and safe natural areas for wildlife. As the fiscal agent of the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, the National Wildlife Federation is spearheading the charge to take several key actions. Along the way, small waterways grow and form larger tributaries including the Lehigh, Schuylkill and Christina Rivers. A combination of chronic water overuse and historic drought conditions are creating chaos. The Zane Grey House and museum are located here. Legal Notices Privacy Policy Contact National Audubon, Type in your search and hit Enter on desktop or hit Go on mobile device. Often they are themselves the border. Natural Lands' Wild Weeds, July 22. 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. In addition, the watershed provides important year-round habitats and migratory stopover sites for hundreds of bird species, including Audubons twelve watershed focal species. During the shutdown, DEP will not be diverting water from these reservoirs for water supply; however, they will continue releasing water into Delaware River tributaries pursuant to the Flexible Flow Management Program, a water allocation agreement between the states of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware and the City of New York. In leading Audubons Delaware River Watershed Program, Audubon Pennsylvania is bringing together expertise from Audubon New York, the John James Audubon Center, the Discovery Center, and our watershed chapters: Delaware Audubon Society; Bucks County Audubon Society; Valley Forge Audubon Society; Wyncote Audubon Society; Lehigh Valley Audubon Society; Washington Crossing Audubon Society; Northeastern Pennsylvania Audubon Society; Gifford Pinchot Audubon Society; Sullivan County Audubon Society; and Orange County Audubon Society. The Delaware River Region refers to an area in western New Jersey (USA) along the Delaware River border with Pennsylvania. "It's wonderful to have Deputy Administrator McCabe and . Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, advocate for greater protections and funding. The deal, which was first reported Monday by the New York Times but whose outlines The Washington Post detailed last week, came together over the past month in conference calls among state and federal officials and meetings in cities such as Las Vegas and Phoenix. Spread the word. Despite successful conservation efforts across the Delaware River basin, the hard-working river has not been immune to the pressures of development. The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) is a federal-interstate agency created in 1961 by compact legislation signed into law by President John F. Kennedy and the governors of Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York (the four basin states with land draining to the Delaware River). 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. Tom Buschatzke, Arizonas commissioner to the Colorado River talks, emphasized on Monday that the deal did not represent a final outcome and that the parties have agreed to a new proposal to be analyzed by the Interior Department in the months ahead. Membership benefits include one year of Audubon magazineand the latest on birds and their habitats. These headwaters originate in the Catskill Mountains and eventually flow into Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. 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. Life along the Delaware: How the Upper Delaware River unites many into Due to environmental opposition and dwindling funds, the government transferred the property to the National Park Service in 1978. The watershed supplies clean drinking water to more than 5 percent of country, vital habitat for wildlife and is a historic and recreational treasure. With appointments to two regional commissions, Audubon aims to influence conservation and policy to protect the birds and people of the watershed. Let us send you the latest in bird and conservation news. There are 216 tributary streams and creeksan estimated 14,057 miles of streams and creeksin the watershed. Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed The Delaware River Makes From floodplains compromised by rapid development, to destruction of the shellfish and migratory fish that populated our waters, to polluted runoff in cities and towns, the National Wildlife Federation and its partners are committed to spreading the practices that keep our land and water safe and clean. Forest preservation in this region of New York and northeastern Pennsylvania also serves a critical role in watershed health, preserving water quality and regulating temperature in headwater streams. Gavin Newsom (D) and Nevada Gov. 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. Area: 13,539 square miles in four states, plus the 782 square-mile Delaware Bay. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. After a decade-plus of coordinated, technical, engineering study, planning and modeling, the DEP is planning to temporarily shut down the Delaware Aqueduct in October 2024 to complete the repair. Delaware River | History, Facts, & George Washington New York City and Philadelphia. One-third of the State of Delaware drains into the Chesapeake Bay. Natural Lands' Insect Safari for Kids, July 18. 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. Thats a big part of the attraction for more than 500,000 people drawn to the Delaware annually to boat, camp, hunt, hike, watch wildlife, or just enjoy the scenery. Pennsylvania (6,454 square miles or 47.67 percent of the basin's total land area); New Jersey (3,009.5 square miles, or 22.23%); New York (2,395 square miles, 17.69%); and Delaware (979 square miles, 7.23%), Includes 42 counties, and 836 municipalities. We think its good policy, he said. As we celebrate this success, our work continues. The Delaware River is the longest free-flowing river in the eastern United States, spanning five states from its headwaters in the Catskills of New York to the mouth of the Delaware Bay. Consumptive Use: Over 850 million gallons a day; this is water withdrawn from the Basin but not returned. Five ways to participate in the 50th anniversary celebration! Nevada has pledged to conserve 285,000 acre-feet through 2026, according to John Entsminger, the Southern Nevada Water Authority general manager and states commissioner to the negotiations. Rivers and Streams: 4,062 miles of freshwater rivers and streams. 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. These forests act as a natural buffer against pollution and erosion by filtering water, which is very important for maintaining water quality. 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. We protect birds and the places they need. . PA Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River (U.S. National Park Service) It has offered its own plan to conserve water. The Lower Delaware Scenic & Recreational River is managed in partnership with local entities, and includes state parks, scenic river towns, the Delaware Canal, and the historic sites in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey of Washington's Crossing of the Delaware in the Revolutionary War. 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 . Delaware River Basin - Stroud Water Research Center Over 15 million people (roughly 5 percent of the nation's population) rely on the waters of the Delaware River Basin for . More than 13.3 million people obtain clean, abundant water from the Delaware River Watershed, including 4.5 million residents of New York City, as well as Philadelphia, Allentown and Trenton. 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. Tributary dam removal projects aim to further enhance water quality and potentially add to the watersheds portfolio of more than 430 miles of Wild and Scenic River designation extending to the Maurice and Musconetcong Rivers in New Jersey, and the entire White Clay Creek in Pennsylvania and Delaware. Entsminger said this amount would be saved in Lake Mead and would be uncompensated by the federal government. Audubon Maryland-DC and Audubon Pennsylvania have joined forces to become Audubon Mid-Atlantic. "[1]:p.9 While the watershed is home to 4.17 million people according to the 2000 Federal Census, these bodies of water provide drinking water to 17 million peopleroughly 10% of the population of the United States. How healthy is the Delaware River watershed? Climate change, excessive stormwater, invasive species, wetland loss and water pollution all pose unique challenges to the watersheds health for birds and people. On our Watershed Stewardship page are some tips on actions that you and your friends can take to help your watershed. California is the largest user of the Colorado River, with an allocation of 4.4 million acre-feet per year. 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. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del. The biodiversity in the Grand Canyon is dependent on annual buildups of sediment rich sandbars, which have eroded after 20 years of drought. 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. However, the impacts of development combined with the unpredictable threat of climate change continue to threaten this vibrant river system. New Jersey and three surrounding states can't agree so old pre-conservation rules will kick in. Spread the word. Our watershed program focuses on the nexus of habitat and water quality, targeting key federal, state and interstate policies, including long-term funding for the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program, the Delaware River Basin Commission and key conservation programs in the watershed states. Gateway Gardens: a new approach to stormwater management. (Bernardsville, NJ) - 102 organizations of the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed sent a letter to congressional leaders and appropriation committees declaring their support for $13.5 million in investments for a federal program designed to protect the drinking water of more than 13 million residents. Our common bond is a belief that we all are accountable for a healthy watershed. We're on the ground in seven regions across the country, collaborating with 52 state and territory affiliates to reverse the crisis and ensure wildlife thrive. Most recently, DEP and the DRBC held a public information session on May 11, 2023, about the shutdown and repair. The Delaware River (originally called the Grasshopper River) [4] is a 94-mile-long (151 km) [2] river located in the northeastern part of the state of Kansas. In 2010, New York City announced a $1 billion plan to repair these leaks. The Delaware River is the longest free-flowing river in the eastern United States, spanning five states from its headwaters in the Catskills of New York to the mouth of the Delaware Bay. Outdoor Activities; Animals, Plants, Aquatic Life; Chemical and Pollution Control National Parks on the Delaware - Delaware Water Gap National Recreation A May 31 deadline looms for the management of the river's water reservoirs. Simply put, it describes the area of land that feeds a particular waterway, like a stream, river, lake or wetland. All of the watersheds that eventually drain to the Delaware River make up the Delaware River Basin. The dry period has lasted more than two decades, draining the major reservoirs along the river. Todays announcement is a testament to the Biden-Harris administrations commitment to working with states, Tribes and communities throughout the West to find consensus solutions in the face of climate change and sustained drought..