Is the Upper Delaware River clean?

For its size, the Upper Delaware River contains some of the highest water quality in the eastern United States. The upper portion of the watershed remains largely forested. These forests act as a natural buffer against pollution and erosion by filtering water, which is very important for maintaining water quality.



Yes, the Upper Delaware River is consistently rated as having some of the highest water quality in the Mid-Atlantic United States. In 2026, it remains a "Special Protection Water" as designated by the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC). A supportive peer "ecology" note: the river is exceptionally clean because much of the surrounding land is protected within the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River corridor, which limits industrial runoff and heavy development. The water is cold and oxygen-rich, making it a premier habitat for wild trout and American shad. While "clean" is relative, the river typically meets or exceeds federal standards for swimming and aquatic life. However, after heavy rains, it is always wise to wait 24–48 hours before swimming to allow any temporary sediment or localized runoff to wash through the system.

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Delaware River Basin waterways are still polluted 50 years after the Clean Water Act | Opinion. Published: Oct. 30, 2022, 6:01 p.m.

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DRBC has established a surface water quality standard for TDS of 500 mg/L in freshwater zones of the Delaware River.

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For its size, the Upper Delaware River contains some of the highest water quality in the eastern United States. The upper portion of the watershed remains largely forested. These forests act as a natural buffer against pollution and erosion by filtering water, which is very important for maintaining water quality.

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However, the most famous fact about the Delaware River is the famous crossing of it by George Washington in 1776 which helped him successfully surprise Hessian troops in New Jersey during the American Revolution.

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On March 24, 2023, the Trinseo Altuglas chemical plant in Bristol, Pennsylvania in the United States had an equipment failure that resulted in a leak of between 8,100 and 12,000 gallons of butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and methyl methacrylate into Otter Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River.

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The chemicals released into the Delaware River include butyl acrylate, a flammable liquid used to manufacture paints, coatings, caulks, sealants, and adhesives. The same chemical was also released into a river in East Palestine, Ohio as a result of the Norfolk Southern train derailment.

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There are bull shark occasionally in the Delaware river. One was caught in a net in 1908 basically across the river from where the Philly Airport is today.

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The deepest point on the Delaware River is located at Narrowsburg in the Town of Tusten, where the Big Eddy runs 113 feet deep. Normal riffle areas are 2-8 feet in depth and pools range from 12-20 feet deep.

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Within the Upper Delaware Region, snakes are found in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Some snakes, like the Northern Watersnake, prefer aquatic habitats and are often found in slow-moving or standing water with places they can bask in the sun. The Northern Watersnake is commonly seen in and along the river.

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Residents can track the impact of the spill on a map provided by the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management. Officials say there is no risk associated with inhaling the water or skin contact. Bathing and showering with water is fine.

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Enjoy a scenic, fun and refreshing 3 - 4 hour tube, raft, canoe or kayak ride down the Delaware River, which is the nation's most historic river and perfect for outdoor water sport activities.

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The Delaware River Basin provides water to two major U.S. cities: Philadelphia, Pa. and New York City. All of Philadelphia's water comes from the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, and roughly 50% of the water supply for New York City comes from the Delaware River Basin, even though NYC is not in the DRB.

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