The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers annually announce a River of the Year. This year, the Delaware River got the most votes for that honor. This announcement was reported earlier this month, and you can read the specific announcement in the February 19 issue of the River Reporter. Many of the people who voted for the Delaware River may have taken a canoe or raft trip and floated down the river at some point. Others might have taken a ride up Route 97 and stopped on the Hawks Nest or other parking areas along the main stem of the river. Indeed, the recreational value of the river is high for visitors and residents alike.

Some other traits that this river has is an abundance of pristine, diverse habitat along with many species of flora and fauna. Most of us are familiar with the bald eagles seen here over the winter. However, there are many breeding pairs present year-round along the river as well. At the last count, there were over 20 pairs within the boundaries of the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, a 73-mile stretch. 

Many times while involved with eagles, I found other wildlife. While I was trying to count young from a nest across the river, a red fox came up to my location and gave me a good look. Another time, a call concerning a reported grounded eagle on a river bank resulted in the discovery of at least six gravid female timber rattlesnakes at a gestation site near the river.

Speaking of reptiles and amphibians, there are an abundance of turtles along the river: snapping turtles, painted turtles and wood turtles are found in or near the river. Spiny softshell turtles and other species can also be found. American toads can be heard in the spring along many river bank areas, and frog species can be found especially in canal remnants and nearby ponds. The Upper Delaware is a good birding spot to spy waterfowl and many other species.

Fish abound in the river. Species such as trout and smallmouth bass thrive, and the spring shad run provides good early fishing opportunities. There are abundant fly hatches along the river at various times of the warm season. 

Lastly, talking about insects, there is one of note worth mentioning. The water-dwelling nymph of the dobsonfly, known as a hellgrammite, is  widely acknowledged as a good bait for river fishing. It is also a good bioindicator of the exceptional water quality that is present in the Delaware River—an almost certain “aye” vote for good living, from this and the other critters in the Upper Delaware corridor.