Water Returning To High And Dry Delaware Canal In New Hope

NEW HOPE, PA — There’s good news in New Hope. By this weekend, water will again be filling the Delaware Canal.

The historic waterway dried up earlier this year after a pump, maintained by the Friends of the Delaware Canal and used to bring water in from the Delaware River, failed.

The Friends group announced on Wednesday that it will be bringing water back to the waterway thanks to a temporary fix to the problem.

“We worked closely with the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the pump’s maintenance team to find a solution,” said the nonprofit canal advocacy organization. “Right now, we have a temporary pump installed as the original pump is repaired. We love seeing the water come back – it should be in New Hope by the weekend.”

A temporary pump is unloaded from the back of a truck. (Friends of the Delaware Canal)

The solution, however, has come at a cost for the Friends organization. The temporary pump has set the organization back $17,000.

“The Friends of the Delaware Canal is asking for your help! The estimated cost is $17,000 and an unexpected expense,” the organization said. “Its final cost could be higher. We are fundraising to recoup this cost and for continued operation of the pump.”

Donations toward the pump project can be made by clicking here.