Delaware • New Jersey • Pennsylvania
New York • United States of America
- Creation of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System
- National Wild & Scenic River Designations in the DRB
- Resource Archive
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| Map showing stretches of National Wild and Scenic rivers in the DRB. Map by DRBC. View archived PDF. |
On October 2, 1968, the United States Congress approved legislation signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson that created the .
This law, known as the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, stated:
"It is hereby declared to be the policy of the United States that certain selected rivers of the Nation which, with their immediate environments, possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, or other similar values, shall be preserved in free-flowing condition, and that they and their immediate environments shall be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations."
According to the National Park Service (NPS), when the Congress created the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System in 1968, it envisioned a cooperative system that would rely on the combined efforts of state, local and federal governments, along with individual citizens and non-governmental organizations.
The system was intended to be flexible enough to provide a means for communities to protect their rivers in a way that is sensitive to the needs and concerns of the people who live, work and recreate along the rivers.
According to the NPS, only 13,467 miles of 228 rivers in 41 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico - less than one-half of one percent of the nation's rivers - are included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
In the Delaware River Basin, there are six designated NWS river segments, including 3/4 of the non-tidal Delaware River, one tributary watershed and sections of several other tributaries.
Designated: Upper Delaware River
In November 1978, Congress and President Jimmy Carter added .
The included section is from the confluence of the river's East and West branches at Hancock, N.Y. downstream to Millrift, Pa. All but 30 acres along these 73 miles is non-federal and most is privately owned.
Designated: Middle Delaware River
Also in November 1978, Congress and President Jimmy Carter added from just south of Port Jervis, N.Y. downstream to the Delaware Water Gap near Stroudsburg, Pa.
Nearly 70,000 acres along this 40-mile middle river corridor are part of the and owned by the federal government.
Combined, these the upper and middle river corridors take in approximately 145,000 acres.
- (P.L. 95-625; pdf)
Designated: Lower Delaware River
In an October 18, 2000, letter to U.S. Rep. Rush Holt, President Bill Clinton wrote:
"As you know, the future of the Delaware River, the longest free-flowing river in the eastern United States, is vital to the economy of the regions surrounding this important waterway. Wild and Scenic River designation will encourage natural and historic resource preservation and protect precious open space. By allowing local municipalities to sustain and protect the Delaware River as one of our nation's national treasures, this law will help to ensure the vitality of these communities and the quality of life of their citizens."
Weeks later, in November 2000, Congress approved a bill, which was signed into law by President Clinton, adding a .
- (P.L. 106-418; PDF archive)
The includes a 38.9-mile section of the main stem Delaware (and about 28 miles of selected tributaries, the Tinicum, Tohickon and Paunacussing creeks) linking the Delaware Water Gap and Washington Crossing, Pa., just upstream of Trenton, N.J.
The Lower Delaware section is managed as a . Oversight is through a partnership of adjacent communities, state governments and the National Park Service.
The Lower Delaware celebrated its in 2015.
Designated: White Clay Creek Watershed
In October 2000, Congress and President Clinton added .
- (P.L. 106-357; PDF archive)
The creek flows from southeastern Pennsylvania to northwestern Delaware and eventually joins the Christina River, a Delaware tributary to the Delaware River. The White Clay is the first wild and scenic river designation in the state of Delaware.
The White Clay Wild and Scenic River is managed as a . Oversight is through a partnership of adjacent communities, state governments and the National Park Service.
In December 2014, President Barack Obama signed into law a bill that added approximately nine miles of the White Clay Creek and its tributaries to the existing Wild and Scenic Rivers designation for the waterway.
- (P.L. 113-291, Section 3073; PDF archive)
Passage of this bill means that the entire White Clay Creek Watershed is now included in the national system, making it the first National Wild and Scenic River protected in its entirety.
Designated: Maurice River
In December 1993, Congress and President Clinton added a segment of the and several of its tributaries (including Menantico and Muskee creeks and the Manumuskin River), totaling 35.4 miles, to the national system.
- (P.L. 103-162; PDF archive)
The Maurice River, located in New Jersey, is a Delaware Bay tributary.
The Maurice Wild and Scenic River is managed as a . Oversight is through a partnership of adjacent communities, state governments and the National Park Service.
Designated: Musconetcong River
The Musconetcong is a non-tidal Delaware River tributary located in New Jersey.
In December 2006, Congress and President George W. Bush added 24.2 miles of the to the national system.
- (P.L. 109-452; PDF archive)
In June 2022, an additional 4.3-mile segment from Hughesville Mill to the confluence with the Delaware River was added to the national system.
The Musconetcong Wild and Scenic River is managed as a . Oversight is through a partnership of adjacent communities, state governments and the National Park Service.
