River of the Year for 2020: The Delaware River

[KY_EnviroGuy]

River of the Year for 2020: The Delaware River
American Rivers announces 2020 River of the Year alongside Most Endangered Rivers of 2020 release.
Amy Souers Kober | April 14, 2020

Link: https://www.americanrivers.org/2020/04/river-of-the-year-for-2020-the-delaware-river/

Excerpts:

American Rivers gave the Delaware this honor to recognize its momentous progress for water quality, river restoration and community revitalization.

“The Delaware River is a national success story,” said Bob Irvin, President and CEO of American Rivers. “The River of the Year honor recognizes the hard work of many local advocates who understand that a healthy Delaware River is vital to the health of millions of people.”

This is a river that touches the lives of so many. Fifteen million people get their drinking water from the Delaware River. If you live in New York City, Philadelphia, Trenton or Wilmington – you’re drinking the Delaware. The river is also home to one of the largest freshwater ports in the world, and the river contributes billions of dollars to the economy every year from water supply, recreation, tourism and other benefits.

The river has come a long way. Seventy-five years ago, it was choked with pollution and sewage. Parts of the river were dead zones, unable to support fish or other aquatic life. According to the Delaware River Basin Commission, “The river’s water was so foul that it would turn the paint of ships brown as they traveled through or were docked for any period of time. People were sickened simply by the smell of the river.”

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Also see: Governors of PA, NJ, and DE Pledge to Restore Delaware River Watershed

Link: https://www.sierraclub.org/pennsylvania/lehigh-valley/blog/2019/05/governors-pa-nj-and-de-pledge-restore-delaware-river

Congratulations to the many volunteer and professional environmentalists working hard to clean up this river.

(cross-posted to Environment & Energy)

KY...........

[Cha]

1. KR for the Delaware River!

Mahalo, KYGuy!

[Tanuki]

2. .......

[jberryhill]

3. .

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[treestar]

4. Kick for the Delaware!

Washington could cross it safely!

[UncleNoel]

5. Early on it was called thre South Rivern and the Delaware and Shawnee lived on its banks.

It was first discovered by the Dutch then it had a gracious perioed under Sweden and finally the English possessed it.

Needless, to say,, the Native Americans were disenfranchised--not the infamous Walking Purchase and other horrendous deeds.

To the south, William Penn had an enlightened approach to Native Americvans, but his sons after his death pursued a grievous policy.

[PJMcK]

6. Our mountain house is on the Upper Delaware

We're near the headwaters of this beautiful river, in the northeast corner of Pennsylvania. We have 250-feet of riverfront and it's incredibly stunning with the mountains, the river, the wildlife and the fresh air. The water is so clean that you can actually drink it! We spend hours at the river's edge just breathing in the natural beauty.

There are no gas-powered motorboats allowed, only electric fishing boats. The vast majority of boaters, however, are in canoes and kayaks or floating in inner tubes often with one float designated for the beer cooler. As you head downriver towards Narrowsburg, NY, you'll encounter a few mild rapids, bald eagles, hawks, fish, a variety of ducks, deer and possibly a bear, (they mostly keep to themselves). The river changes dramatically as it winds through the magnificent Lower Catskill Mountains.

We've retreated here from our apartment in NYC in order to ride out the current health crisis. Because it is so rural, social distancing is really only a problem when grocery shopping. Even there, the local store-- which is employee-owned and operated-- has implemented some pretty firm distancing and anti-hoarding policies. It's a quiet, peaceful and lovely place to hide from the virus and we're profoundly fortunate.

I've only been coming here for about a half dozen years but I'm grateful for the tremendous work people have done to repair and protect this exceptional waterway.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

7. Thank you for sharing your love of this beautiful area.

The photos I saw while reviewing the American Rivers and Sierra Club articles reminded me of the Cumberland Mountains in TN near where I was raised. Brings back so many serene memories from my college days, tromping through woods to find caves to explore along with a few vacations in the Smokies.

You are indeed very fortunate........