$9M In Canal Restoration Projects Underway In Bucks County

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Six major construction projects are officially underway at Delaware Canal State Park in New Hope, Solebury Township, and Washington Crossing (Upper Makefield).

The state is investing more than $9 million in canal infrastructure improvements and repairs in the park, including bridge replacements and construction, and emergency repairs resulting from a major rain event in July 2023.

“These projects will address safety issues and flood damage at the Delaware Canal State Park and when complete will allow water to be restored in the canal,” said Bureau of State Parks Director John Hallas. “But in the meantime, the canal in the area is dewatered to allow for the work to be completed.”

The projects include:

• Towpath bypass over Delaware Canal Inlet, New Hope: Replacing the existing temporary crossing to facilitate access of equipment critical to canal maintenance.
• Emergency stone masonry wingwall repair, New Hope: Rebuild the southeast wingwall at the bridge over the inlet channel that collapsed during a storm event on July 15, 2023.
• Emergency scour repair to Thompson Neely Access Bridge over Delaware Canal, Solebury Township: Emergency underpinning at both abutment stem walls, and stone masonry repointing.
• Bowman’s Hill wastegate repair, Solebury Township: Repair concrete apron of the wastegate and replace timber wastegates and repair a large portion of missing stone on southern wingwall impacted by 2018 flooding. This wastegate is a critical control point for canal water levels and in its current condition, cannot retain water adequately.
• Buckstone, David Library Bridge replacement, Washington Crossing: Full replacement of the superstructure, repairs to the west abutment and replacement of the east abutment.
• Tebola Beans Bridge, Washington Crossing: Full replacement of the entire structure.

The expected completion date varies for each projects. The impacts to the water in the canal are expected to last throughout the spring stocking and fishing season.

Hallas noted that water in the canal from New Hope through Washington Crossing has been drawn down to allow for the construction to occur. As a result, the canal will not be stocked in that area with trout this year due to inadequate water levels.

As an alternative, the state is attempting to rewater points along the canal south of Washington Crossing.

"This effort will rely on inflow from a handful of smaller creeks and streams in the area, as well as rainwater and storm runoff to be successful. Results are uncertain," said park officials.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will be monitoring the conditions within the lower section of the canal, referred to as Delaware Canal Section 05, to determine if trout stocking is possible.

Anglers should reference the PFBC’s trout stocking schedule online for updates to the status of stockings in this area before and during the trout season beginning April 6.