About
Delaware River, Upper — Henry Hudson, 1609. Wild & Scenic since 1978, the Upper Delaware runs 70 miles of Class I-II water through Pike and Monroe counties at an average 4,200 CFS. The river flows within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, with optimal paddling between 2,000-8,000 CFS on gauge 01446700. From Hancock to Narrowsburg covers 30 miles of the most remote water, where bald eagles nest along undeveloped banks. The middle section from Narrowsburg to Milford spans 25 miles with scenic bluffs and consistent Class I-II rapids. Below Milford, the final 15 miles to Delaware Water Gap see the heaviest recreational use. Kittatinny Canoes operates commercial trips along the corridor. The 1978 Wild & Scenic designation specifically targeted protection of this Upper Delaware reach, preserving free-flowing conditions through what had been proposed for damming.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.