Dredge Project Updates for the 2019 Season
Towpath Closures
Operations began in March 2018 and active dredging of the Canal and debris removal began in May 2019. Operations on the dewatering site, including trucking of the removed sediment, occur year-round. During periods of active dredging the portion of the Canal being dredged is closed to boaters. Occasional, temporary closures of the towpath may be necessary during the project. Signage will be posted at D&R Canal State Park entrances surrounding the closed areas to notify the public.
Project Updates: May 1, 2019
Project Update: July 18, 2019
Project Update: November 1, 2019
Milepost 22/22 Returns to the Towpath
The Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park is happy to welcome back an old friend! On October 4, 2019 an important piece of the historic canal was reinstalled along its towpath. Milepost 22/22 - the marker which indicates the halfway point along the canal's 44-mile main stem from Bordentown to New Brunswick - was carefully retrieved, patched and put back in place between Rocky Hill and Griggstown. It had been knocked off its base years ago and lay hidden in the floodplain under overgrown grass, plants and poison ivy. Lost, but by no means forgotten, it was recently spotted by a regular park user who reached out to the D&R Canal Commission and advocated for its retrieval. After determining its condition, and discussing all options with the Park staff, it was decided to attempt a rescue, repair and reinstall mission. Thanks to the local resident who brought the wayward milepost to our attention, the D&R Canal Commission for funding the project and the expert crew from Pennacchi & Sons who did the work, this historic piece of the D&R Canal State Park has been returned to its rightful place on the towpath - a successful team effort! Welcome back 22/22! Long may you stand!
Spotted in the Park: The Spotted Lantern fly
The Spotted Lanternfly has been located in the park. This pest is invasive and can do damage to trees. Please report all sightings.
Click here for more information about the spotted lanternfly.
Dredging Begins
A dredging project is planned for the D&R Canal from Kingston to Amwell Road at East Millstone. This extensive and needed project (administered by NJ Water Supply Authority), began on July 9, 2018 and may take up to three years to complete. We thank you for your patience as the project continues along this section of the park.
Treating for Hydrilla
Hydrilla was discovered in the Washington Crossing section of the Canal in July 2016. Hydrilla is an extremely aggressive invasive aquatic plant that spreads very rapidly and forms dense mats that can choke the flow of water through the canal. A lake management firm was hired in September, 2016 to survey, assess, and map the extent of hydrilla and other problem weeds in the high-priority segments of the Delaware & Raritan Canal. The survey report indicates that, for the 18.31 miles surveyed, submerged aquatic vegetation was collected at 96 percent of the sites, confirming the spatial extent and diversity of vegetation in the Canal. Hydrilla was observed at 56 percent of the survey sites.
On May 31, 2017, the Authority began a low-dose (<4 ppb) herbicide injection of Sonar Genesis for up to 120 days targeting the hydrilla and other nuisance aquatic vegetation. At these low rates, there are no restrictions on fish/fish consumption, human/animal water consumption or contact. There are some recommended water irrigation usage restrictions that have been posted along the tried areas of the canal. All Canal water customers have been engaged in the management planning process and continue to be updated on the status of treatment. The herbicide application is showing promising signs of effectively controlling the Hydrilla and other nuisance aquatic plants. The Authority and consulting firm are monitoring the status of plants and the herbicide concentrations at several points along the Canal.
Click here for monitoring and project information.
