NJ WATER SUPPLY AUTHORITY'S TREE MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
OCTOBER 26, 2022:
Tree management is an important element of routine maintenance, especially considering the age of
the Canal (hand dug in the 1830’s) and its earthen embankment and clay bottom construction. Tree
maintenance activities include removing fallen trees from the Canal and cutting trees that have rooted
in structures. Trees that have rooted in structures pose a threat to the integrity and stability of the
structures including the embankment itself, retaining walls, spillways, waste gates, culverts, aqueducts,
and other flow control structures. Additionally, trees are trimmed along the towpath to allow for the
safe passage of the general public and for the vehicles that the Authority and the D&R Canal State Park
Service need to maintain the canal and towpath.
Why does the Authority cut down trees along the Canal if they aren’t diseased or dead?
Tree root systems threaten the structural integrity of the Canal and therefore the Authority’s ability to deliver water. Tree roots loosen embankment soils and create seepage paths for water. Seepage paths can develop quickly into large leaks or breaches of the embankments.
The larger the trees become, the bigger the threat they pose. Large trees can be uprooted during
windstorms, which can displace a large amount of soil, making the embankment vulnerable to
breaching. A breach in the embankment impacts the Authority’s ability to deliver water downstream in the Canal.
Tree roots also damage the historic structures of the canal. For example, in many areas the historic stone armoring of the Canal has been lost due to tree roots dislodging stones. These stone structures were constructed to protect the embankments.
One of many examples of damage caused by trees occurred in recent years in Lambertville on the multi-use trail directly adjacent to "It’s Nutts On the Canal" (formerly Lilly’s on the Canal), where several trees fell into the canal and collapsed a retaining wall. The cost to repair that wall was more than $280,000.
More than 1,000,000 people rely on the canal for water and the Authority is obligated to move an
average of 100 million gallons per day of water through it, as measured at Port Mercer. The Authority must take every reasonable measure to properly maintain the canal’s infrastructure in order to protect
our ability to continue to deliver water through it.
D&R CANAL WATCH VOLUNTEERS REPAIR DOCKS ALONG THE CANAL
SEPTEMBER 10, 2022:
A very grateful thank you to the dedicated D&R Canal Watch volunteers who took on the task of retrieving, repairing, replacing and/or rebuilding several boat access docks that were either damaged or swept away by Tropical Storm Ida over a year ago. A special "shout out" to Watch members Bob Barth, Chuck Martin, Tim Roth, Ted Chase and Wayne Petko who not only gave their time, expertise and sweat equity but also managed the project and helped with the acquisition by The Watch of all the needed materials to see it through.
It has taken time for the Park to comeback from, and address, much of the damage caused by Ida (some projects are still ongoing) but the task has been made just a bit easier with the support of our most dedicated volunteers! Not only did they assist with some of the immediate after storm clean-up, but thanks to their continued efforts, the docks at Kingston, Rocky Hill, Griggstown and Blackwells Mills are now back in service and can be used by all our park users. THANK YOU to the D&R Canal Watch and the "Wednesday Work Crew" volunteers!
If you are interested in supporting the park then consider becoming a D&R Canal Watch member and/or volunteer! Click here to access their membership form.
THE NEW "INLET TRAIL" IS OPEN AT BULLS ISLAND
JUNE 4, 2022:
We are super excited to introduce our park visitors to the much anticipated "Inlet Trail" at Bulls Island in Delaware and Kingwood Townships, Hunterdon County. For those of you who are long-time visitors to the Bulls Island Recreation Area, you will know that this much beloved section of the park, located alongside the scenic Delaware River, has been inaccessible to the public for several years. On June 3rd this new trail was officially opened for public use. It is is located between the Delaware & Raritan Canal and Delaware River and offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy a 1.3 mile leisurely stroll through shaded woods with scenic and historic views of the park.
On June 3rd The Department of Environmental Protection's Deputy Commissioner for Legal, Regulatory and Legislative Affairs Sean Moriarty, Assistant Commissioner for State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites John Cecil and D&R Canal Commission Vice Chairman Bruce Stout along with park employees Patricia Kallesser, Marsha Apffel and Stephanie Fox helped to cut the ribbon to the new "Inlet Trail."
We hope many of you have explored and enjoyed this new trail. For those who haven't, we certainly invite you to come by for a visit and enjoy!
REHABILITATION OF THE FIVE MILE LOCK PARKING AREA TO BEGIN IN JULY 2022
UPDATED - JULY 21, 2022
UPDATED - AUGUST 16, 2022
Visitors are asked to utilize the parking areas either at South Bound Brook or DeMott Lane to access the path for their enjoyment. Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to make this improvement at the park.
Park Superintendent Patricia Kallesser can be reached for any questions at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
This project is complete and the parking lot is now accessible for use by our park users.
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BE ALERT & AWARE: SEXUAL ASSAULT AT SIX MILE RUN
IMPORTANT UPDATE - AUGUST 10, 2022
BE ALERT AND AWARE -May 17, 2022
We are asking our park users to always be on alert, aware and use caution, especially those who enjoy our trails solo. This assault occurred along the multi-use trail at the Six Mile Run Reservoir Site in Somerset. This well-used trail system located near Blackwells Mills and Canal Roads in Franklin Township is used by off-road bikers and hikers alike. Anyone with information about this assault please contact the police as described below and detailed in the article linked here.
The victim reported to authorities that the unknown male suspect was on a bicycle when he dismounted and tackled her to the ground while she was running on the trail. The victim fought with the male suspect, escaped from the assault and immediately notified authorities by dialing 911. The suspect is said to have fled the area on a bicycle. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment and released.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic man about 5-foot 6-inches to 5-foot 7-inches tall, heavier build, about mid 30's, wearing black pants or shorts, a green hoodie, and a blue gator face covering. (see the released sketch of the suspect). Detectives are attempting to determine if the suspect involved in this recent incident is the same actor involved in previously reported attacks in Somerset and Middlesex Counties. The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information relating to the sexual assault or surveillance footage of the area is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Sex Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at 908-873-5533 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ.
Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers' Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential. Tips may also be submitted to www.middlesextips.com
We ask the public to be vigilant and always aware when enjoying the many trails available at the D&R Canal State Park. Your safety is paramount! The New Jersey State Park Police is coordinating with the Middlesex County Prosecutor has stepped up patrols in the park. In an effort to educate and empower our park visitors we are sharing some basic steps and tips below that should be followed every day when out and about at the park and elsewhere. These will help you to stay alert, increase awareness of your surroundings, be present and stay safe. And of course report anything suspicious or concerning to the proper authorities.
PERSONAL SAFETY
PROPERTY & VEHICLE SECURITY
Man Charged with Sexually Assaulting Women in NJ Parks, Officials Say
