Delaware (Upper) River

Dating from the paleo through the transitional period, 437 documented pre-contact archeological sites record a rich cultural tapestry of riverine occupation of aboriginal people who used the river as a trade route. Several privately owned archeological sites illustrate the history of early Europe...Show More

Dating from the paleo through the transitional period, 437 documented pre-contact archeological sites record a rich cultural tapestry of riverine occupation of aboriginal people who used the river as a trade route. Several privately owned archeological sites illustrate the history of early European settlers who arrived in the mid-18th century. Remnants of the early settlements along the river help to convey the history of the early subsistence period to the mid-1700s.

The upper Delaware River exhibits some of the highest ecological integrity found in any of the large rivers of this region. As the least-developed section of the last major river on the Atlantic Coast, undammed the entire length of its mainstem, the upper river is largely ecologically intact. Its...Show More

The upper Delaware River exhibits some of the highest ecological integrity found in any of the large rivers of this region. As the least-developed section of the last major river on the Atlantic Coast, undammed the entire length of its mainstem, the upper river is largely ecologically intact. Its free-flowing character supports key components and processes that contribute to the superb natural resources found here.

The riparian area along the river supports rare terrestrial plant communities, such as ice scour rock outcrop, seep communities, and bitternut hickory lowland woodland. The river itself sustains diverse and healthy native aquatic plant communities, including a plentiful population of threadfoot riverweed, a relatively rare aquatic plant that is indicative of excellent water quality.

The upper Delaware River is an exceptional example of a deep, narrow river valley cutting across the Small Lakes section of the glaciated portion of the Appalachian Plateau. The overall landscape is a fluvial or stream-cut landscape modified by stream derangements from glacial deposits burying po...Show More

The upper Delaware River is an exceptional example of a deep, narrow river valley cutting across the Small Lakes section of the glaciated portion of the Appalachian Plateau. The overall landscape is a fluvial or stream-cut landscape modified by stream derangements from glacial deposits burying portions of preglacial valleys. Examples of significant geologic features include sandstone cliffs, barbed tributaries, glacial deposits, glacial outwash terraces, diverse channel morphologies, exposed ancient bedrock, bedrock knobs, cutoff incised meanders, island complexes, gorges, and fossils.

The convoluted drainage pattern of the Delaware River system provides a rare combination of drainage anomalies that challenge various explanations of how Appalachian river systems evolved over geologic time.

River activities include canoeing, kayaking, boating, tubing, rafting, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, swimming, and hunting waterfowl. The upper Delaware’s cold-water fishery between Hancock and Callicoon attracts anglers from around the world, especially those interested in fly fishing for its world-...Show More

River activities include canoeing, kayaking, boating, tubing, rafting, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, swimming, and hunting waterfowl. The upper Delaware’s cold-water fishery between Hancock and Callicoon attracts anglers from around the world, especially those interested in fly fishing for its world-renowned wild trout. This type of fishing experience is seldom found elsewhere in the region.