Canal critters

In 1828, the Delaware & Hudson Canal, a 108-mile waterway, was placed into operation in order to barge coal to New York City. A significant part of the canal was along the Delaware River. In 1898, the canal was abandoned. Depending on the location, the canal was either filled in, or left as it was with a causeway or bridge built for access across.

What happened over the next century or so in some areas of the canal route was that nature created unique ecosystems next to the river. In some of these areas, springs or streams flow through the canal trench. In other areas, the water table has allowed water to form ponds where barges once floated.

The result of this is that there is now a rich habitat next to a river where normally there might be swift water and river banks with little shelter. Some of these canal “ponds” hold a myriad of plant and animal life. Waterfowl, reptiles and amphibians, as well as otter, beaver and other aquatic mammals in these areas add to the river’s wildlife diversity.