The Delaware River Basin is in “generally good” health, with improvements in several areas, according to a recent report released by the Delaware River Basin Commission.
The commission’s 2025 State of the Basin report, which assesses the health of the river basin using 36 indicators, found most areas received a “good” or “very good” rating.
The basin spans parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Delaware along the 330-mile-long river.
“I am pleased to say the state of the Delaware River Basin is generally good and improving in several key indicators,” said Delaware River Basin Commission Executive Director Kristen Bowman Kavanagh. “This report – our fourth since 2004 – helps the commission to benchmark conditions and track progress toward our water resources goals, ensuring we continue to meet the diverse needs of our region.”
The report highlighted several areas of improvement, including increased groundwater availability due to sustainable groundwater management practices, improved water quality due to the implementation of the Special Protection Waters program, and a rebound in the population of some fish, which is largely due to efforts to restore water quality.
The report also identified some areas where additional study and stewardship are needed, including the impact of sea level rise on salinity intrusion, the prevalence and impact of microplastics, and the need for integrated stormwater management efforts across federal, state, and local entities.
A 2019 study found microplastics, pieces smaller than a sesame seed, were “widespread in surface waters of the basin.”
Microplastics were found in Lower Bucks County and the Neshaminy Creek.
The commission called microplastics an “increasing concern because of their persistence and potential effect on the environment, wildlife, and human health.”
While the endangered Atlantic sturgeon has shown signs of successful spawning, the American shad, once abundant, is again on a good but declining trend.
The commission called for habitat restoration, monitoring and sustainable harvest limitations for the American shad.
Data from the Lewis Fishery in the City of Lambertville, the last commercial shad fishery in the non-tidal Delaware River, shows catch levels higher than 20 years ago, but lower than in the 1980s.
The report also pointed to the need for integrated stormwater management across federal, state and local entities.
The Delaware River Basin Commission manages, protects and improves the water resources of the basin, which provides drinking water to over 14.2 million people. The commission is made up to federal representatives and the governors of the four states that the river goes through. It was created in 1961 to allow more coordination between the various government bodies.
The 2025 State of the Basin report is available online.
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