Delaware
Popular stretch of Delaware Canal in Bucks County turns into foul-smelling mess with hundreds of dead fish
A stretch of the Delaware Canal in Solebury Township, Bucks County, has turned into a foul-smelling scene, with hundreds of dead and decaying fish, swarms of flies and growing concern among residents and visitors.
The canal, which typically flows alongside the Delaware River, has dried up for several miles, leaving behind what witnesses describe as an unsettling and unusual sight.
“It smells. You can see all the flies, the dead fish,” Brian, a weekly visitor from Doylestown, said. “So, it’s disappointing.”
Residents say the affected stretch runs from New Hope to the Centre Bridge area, appearing unusually dry and lifeless.
“It’s a long stretch,” Brian said. “It certainly looks cataclysmic with how dry it looks.”
Without water, fish have died in large numbers, attracting flies and creating an unpleasant environment along the towpath, a popular destination for walkers, joggers and bicyclists.
“It’s very sad and very disturbing,” Gina Roche, who lives in New Hope, said. “It’s not good for tourism in the area either because nobody wants to walk or bike on the path when it smells like this.”
Roche said she has seen similar conditions in the canal before, but never this severe.
“I think about all the wildlife that it’s destroying,” she said. “The last time this happened, there were turtles crawling out of the mud, dead fish flapping on the basin of the canal. And it’s so unnecessary.”
The cause of the problem appears to be mechanical. About 2 miles north near Centre Bridge, a pump designed to divert water from the Delaware River into the canal was found knocked over and nonfunctional.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources provided a detailed statement:
“The Center Bridge pump at Delaware Canal State Park was found knocked over and determined to be non-functional. The Center Bridge pump is responsible for bringing water into the New Hope section of the canal. The river levels in the Center Bridge area of the canal are normal for this time of year, and no known storm event impacted the pump.
River conditions must first recede and stabilize to allow staff to safely return the pump to an upright position. In addition, electrical issues have been identified with the switch that controls the pump.
Once the pump is restored to position, staff will proceed with further electrical diagnostics and necessary repairs.
Current conditions indicate that water levels in New Hope are decreasing. With minimal precipitation forecasted, canal water levels are expected to continue to drop, so we are hopeful to upright the pump soon. We will provide updates on timelines for returning the pump to service as soon as possible.”
Officials have not identified a definitive cause of the damage, though a spokesperson said it may have been struck by debris in the river.
In the meantime, the dry canal continues to impact both the local environment and quality of life.
“Very concerned,” Edward Leydon of Solebury said. “This is a real key feature of living here and visiting here.”
Officials say conditions are improving slightly, but there is no immediate timetable for when the pump will be fixed or when water will return to the canal.
Wednesday, July 8, 2026 10:19PM
ASTON, Pa. (WPVI) — Summer camps are in full swing, and on Wednesday the Action Cam was in Aston, where kids are getting some hands-on learning at Delaware County Technical School.
Middle school students are exploring career pathways as they build, cook, design and create in state-of-the-art classrooms.
They are doing everything from carpentry to cosmetology.
By the end of camp, the kids will create STEAM-based projects that they can take home.
Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Across the State Trained AmeriCorps VISTA members will be on-site at 21 Delaware Libraries providing walk-in assistance for digital literacy
DOVER, Del. — The Delaware Libraries today announced the launch of a 10-week summer program aiming to support Delawareans on digital literacy.
The AmeriCorps Digital Literacy Specialists assist the public with computer and technology questions, including completing online applications, navigating websites, and building basic digital skills. As patrons become more comfortable, specialists can introduce them to the many free computer training programs and learning resources available through Delaware Libraries including in-person classes. This project is an initiative of the Division’s Social Innovation Team.
“Libraries are proud to expand their digital literacy specialist supports this summer with a presence in 21 Delaware Libraries,” said Dr. Annie Norman, State Librarian of Delaware. “The digital landscape is ever evolving, and the Delaware Libraries stands at the ready to help Delawareans navigate AI, software skills, social media concepts, and more.”
There is no appointment needed for a meeting or to ask a question to a Specialist.
The Specialists are trained to support many concepts, including:
- Essential Software Skills
- Personalized Assistance
- Workplace Technology
- AI – Understanding & Help
- Basic Computer Skills & Classes
- Social Media Help
- Navigate Internet, Avoid Scams
- Using Tech in Daily Life, Device Help
- Learning Express, Northstar Certification
- And Much More!
Visit DelawareLibraries.org/Digital to view a full schedule of Specialists. For more services visit DelawareLibraries.org/GetConnected!
Delaware Libraries offer specialty library cards for every age group, including a My First Delaware Library Card for birth to age 5, a Super Library Card for children ages 6–12; a Teen Delaware Library Card for ages 13-17 and Delaware Library cards for everyone.
Sign up for a Delaware Library Card today! It’s Easy! It’s Free! It’s Online!
Instructions in Spanish are also available. (En el sitio web de las bibliotecas de Delaware se pueden encontrar instrucciones en español para obtener una tarjeta de biblioteca gratuita de Delaware)
Programming celebrating the Delaware Libraries’ 125th anniversary will continue throughout the year.
Delaware
Talk & Film Bring Delaware’s Revolutionary Story to Life at Archives’ First Saturday Program – State of Delaware News
On Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., the Delaware Public Archives will host a special First Saturday Program featuring a presentation and a screening of a new documentary exploring Delaware’s pivotal role in America’s founding.
The event will begin with a shortened presentation of Independence or the Bayonet, examining the critical days leading up to July 1776 through the perspectives of Caesar Rodney, George Read, and Thomas McKean.
Following the presentation, attendees will watch Caesar Rodney’s Ride: The Story of Delawareans and the Declaration of Independence, a new one-hour documentary presented by the Delaware Heritage Commission. The film explores Caesar Rodney’s legendary overnight ride to Philadelphia and the important role Delawareans played in the fight for American independence.
This special program is part of the Delaware Public Archives’ ongoing Delaware 250 educational programming commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and highlighting Delaware’s unique contributions to the nation’s founding.
The program is free and open to the public.
For more information about the Delaware Public Archives or to learn more about upcoming events and programs, visit archives.delaware.gov.
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