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Delaware & Raritan Canal

The Legacy of the Delaware & Raritan Canal

The Delaware & Raritan Canal was once a vital link for commerce and transportation across New Jersey. Stretching 44 miles, it fueled economic growth, supported military efforts, and showcased impressive engineering. Today, it’s a scenic state park and key water source, blending history with modern utility.

The Canal’s Route and Purpose

The Delaware & Raritan Canal ran 44 miles from Bordentown on the Delaware River to New Brunswick on the Raritan River. Fed by the Delaware River at Raven Rock, water traveled south to Bordentown and northeast to New Brunswick. With only 14 locks managing 115 feet of elevation, the canal played a key role in 19th-century industry and commerce.

Engineering and Operations

Simpler than the Morris Canal but more efficient, the D&R Canal was 8 feet deep with large locks (24 feet wide, 220 feet long). Stone-lined banks prevented erosion, and swing bridges allowed tall vessels to pass. Steam-powered lock operations began in 1868. In 1866, it moved over 2.8 million tons of cargo, mostly coal, and served as a military supply route in three wars.

A Waterway of Diverse Vessels

The canal saw a variety of boats, from mule-towed canal boats and sailboats to steam tugs, barges, luxury yachts, and naval vessels. It connected with major East Coast canals, making it a busy waterway for trade and travel.

From Commerce to Conservation

Chartered in 1830, the canal opened in 1834 and operated until 1932. In 1974, it became the Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park, a popular spot for recreation. Today, it also supplies water to nearly 1 million Central New Jersey residents, preserving both its history and utility.

Detailed Information

Main canal
Bordentown to New Brunswick: 44 miles, 14 locks

Feeder canal
Raven Rock to Trenton: 22 miles (4 locks, 3 of which are guard locks)

Dimensions
60 feet wide x 6 feet deep

Summit level at Trenton
57 feet above sea level

People

  • Robert F. Stockton
    First president, serving until his death in 1866
  • Canvass White
    First chief engineer, serving until his death in 1834
  • Ashbel Welch
    Chief engineer of the Joint Companies, beginning in 1835
  • Col. James Neilson
    First treasurer

Chronology

  • 1830 | Charter granted for the Delaware & Raritan Canal Company and the Camden & Amboy Railroad
  • 1831 | D&R Canal and the C&A Railroad became the Joint Companies
  • 1834 | Canal opened for through traffic
  • 1847 | Connection established to Pennsylvania’s Delaware Canal by means of a cable ferry at Lambertville
  • 1850 | Construction began on Belvidere & Delaware Railroad along the original feeder towpath; towpath was moved to the opposite side
  • 1851 | Canal depth dredged to 8 feet
  • 1853 | Locks on main canal lengthened to 220 feet and banks “rip-rapped” with stone
  • 1866 | Peak year for freight; 2,857,233 tons, 83% of which was coal
  • 1868 | Installation of steam-powered winches and steam activated valves
  • 1902 | Pennsylvania Railroad viaduct constructed in New Brunswick, thus limiting mast height to 50 feet
  • 1929 | Peak year for pleasure boaters; 941 non-commercial vessels
  • 1932 | Last season for boating
  • 1934 | State took over canal properties
  • 1944 | Construction began to convert canal to a water supply system
  • 1973 | Canal entered on the National Register of Historic Places
  • 1974 | Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park and the D&R Canal Commission created

DR Canal State Park Diagram (PDF)

D&R Canal NJ State Park

Kayak & Canoe Rentals

Griggstown
1076 Canal Rd, Princeton, NJ 08540

Princeton
483 Alexander St, Princeton, NJ 08540

Photo Gallery

This 1933 photo shows a Kingpost bridge in Kingston. The white building is now part of the Eno Terra Restaurant.
This 1933 photo shows a Kingpost bridge in Kingston. The white building is now part of the Eno Terra Restaurant.
Two teams of light colored mules pull a sailing vessel along the D&R Canal.
Two teams of light colored mules pull a sailing vessel along the D&R Canal.
The Perseverance Paper Mill in Lambertville uses a motorized boom to load this Lehigh Coal and Navigation boat.
The Perseverance Paper Mill in Lambertville uses a motorized boom to load this Lehigh Coal and Navigation boat.
The Delaware & Raritan Canal’s southern terminus was at Bordentown, below Trenton. Here, the boats entered the canal through Lock 1, which connected the canal to Crosswicks Creek and the Delaware River.
The Delaware & Raritan Canal’s southern terminus was at Bordentown, below Trenton. Here, the boats entered the canal through Lock 1, which connected the canal to Crosswicks Creek and the Delaware River.
The Standard Paint Company was built in 1887 on the site of an prior lumber yard in South Bound Brook.
The Standard Paint Company was built in 1887 on the site of an prior lumber yard in South Bound Brook.
The Denny Brothers steam boat sits at an undisclosed location.
The Denny Brothers steam boat sits at an undisclosed location.
In this view of Trenton, the canal runs between the Pennsylvania RR yard knows as ‘Coalport’ and the Enterprise Pottery complex with its cone-shaped kilns.
In this view of Trenton, the canal runs between the Pennsylvania RR yard knows as ‘Coalport’ and the Enterprise Pottery complex with its cone-shaped kilns.
A man observes a pair of canal boats docked on the D&R Feeder. Empty, or light boats sat very high on the water. Canopies on the stern protected the captain from the hot sun.
A man observes a pair of canal boats docked on the D&R Feeder. Empty, or light boats sat very high on the water. Canopies on the stern protected the captain from the hot sun.
Lock 12 in South Bound Brook was also knows as ‘Five Mile Lock’, which related to its approximate location from the east end of the canal in New Brunswick.
Lock 12 in South Bound Brook was also knows as ‘Five Mile Lock’, which related to its approximate location from the east end of the canal in New Brunswick.
The steamboat F.W. Brune exits the State Street Lock in Trenton. The large locks on the Delaware & Raritan allowed boats of all shapes and sizes to navigate the canal.
The steamboat F.W. Brune exits the State Street Lock in Trenton. The large locks on the Delaware & Raritan allowed boats of all shapes and sizes to navigate the canal.
Although this photo is labeled Griggstown, it is actually an area to the south called Little Valley. The bridge pictured is a swing bridge, which would pivot out of the way to allow boat passage. The house served as the bridge tender’s residence, and the smaller structure his station.
Although this photo is labeled Griggstown, it is actually an area to the south called Little Valley. The bridge pictured is a swing bridge, which would pivot out of the way to allow boat passage. The house served as the bridge tender’s residence, and the smaller structure his station.
This drawing shows the swing bridge at Griggstown. The bigger building is the bridgetender’s house, while the smaller one to the right is the hut where he waited for approaching boats.
This drawing shows the swing bridge at Griggstown. The bigger building is the bridgetender’s house, while the smaller one to the right is the hut where he waited for approaching boats.
The basin in front of Lambertville’s lift lock allowed boats to turn 90 degrees to enter the outlet lock to the Delaware River. The swing bridge in the foreground allowed the mules to cross the Delaware & Raritan canal.
The basin in front of Lambertville’s lift lock allowed boats to turn 90 degrees to enter the outlet lock to the Delaware River. The swing bridge in the foreground allowed the mules to cross the Delaware & Raritan canal.
A canal boat takes on a load at the Perseverance Paper Mill in Lambertville.
A canal boat takes on a load at the Perseverance Paper Mill in Lambertville.
Lock 10 had a swing bridge that allowed lock tender to access the opposite side of the lock. The bridge could pivot out of the way when a boat was being locked through.
Lock 10 had a swing bridge that allowed lock tender to access the opposite side of the lock. The bridge could pivot out of the way when a boat was being locked through.
Lock 10, also known as ‘Ten Mile Lock’ was located west of South Bound Brook, approximately 10 miles from the eastern terminus.
Lock 10, also known as ‘Ten Mile Lock’ was located west of South Bound Brook, approximately 10 miles from the eastern terminus.
Here the northern terminus of the D&R is seen where the canal met the Raritan River in New Brunswick. The footbridge seen by the outlet allowed mainland access for the mules and tenders.
Here the northern terminus of the D&R is seen where the canal met the Raritan River in New Brunswick. The footbridge seen by the outlet allowed mainland access for the mules and tenders.
This illustration of New Brunswick shows a boat being pulled along the canal between the city and the Raritan River.
This illustration of New Brunswick shows a boat being pulled along the canal between the city and the Raritan River.
Two loaded boats are seen docked at New Brunswick, which was the northern terminus of the D&R.
Two loaded boats are seen docked at New Brunswick, which was the northern terminus of the D&R.
On a hot summer’s day, youngsters swim from a bridge in New Brunswick while onlookers watch from above. The arched bridge in the background carried the Pennsylviania RR over the D&R Canal and Raritan River.
On a hot summer’s day, youngsters swim from a bridge in New Brunswick while onlookers watch from above. The arched bridge in the background carried the Pennsylviania RR over the D&R Canal and Raritan River.
The port of New Brunswick was a busy place, with many shipyards and factories abutting the canal, including Johnson & Johnson.
The port of New Brunswick was a busy place, with many shipyards and factories abutting the canal, including Johnson & Johnson.
The steamboat Lottie B. sits in front of the Railroad Hotel at the Princeton Basin. As the name implies, the hotel served passengers from both canal and rail.
The steamboat Lottie B. sits in front of the Railroad Hotel at the Princeton Basin. As the name implies, the hotel served passengers from both canal and rail.
Built in 1884, the tugboat Relief was used for various purposes on the D&R. In addition to towing barges, it also served as an icebreaker.
Built in 1884, the tugboat Relief was used for various purposes on the D&R. In addition to towing barges, it also served as an icebreaker.
Laborers both lived and work upon repair scows like this one. Since repairs were frequently needed, they travelled to all areas along the canal.
Laborers both lived and work upon repair scows like this one. Since repairs were frequently needed, they travelled to all areas along the canal.
Rocky Hill was a community between Kingston and Griggstown. Here the Rocky Hill branch of the Pennsylvania RR closely followed the path of the canal. This photo dates from the 1930’s.
Rocky Hill was a community between Kingston and Griggstown. Here the Rocky Hill branch of the Pennsylvania RR closely followed the path of the canal. This photo dates from the 1930’s.
This Oct 30, 1906 photo shows the Excelsior Terra Cotta Co. at Rocky Hill. The following year it would be consolidated into the Atlantic Terra Cotta Co.
This Oct 30, 1906 photo shows the Excelsior Terra Cotta Co. at Rocky Hill. The following year it would be consolidated into the Atlantic Terra Cotta Co.
The Roebling wire manufacturing plant was opened in Trenton in 1849. Roebling cable was used to pull canal boats up and down the inclined planes on the Morris Canal.
The Roebling wire manufacturing plant was opened in Trenton in 1849. Roebling cable was used to pull canal boats up and down the inclined planes on the Morris Canal.
This view looks across the Griggstown causeway towards the Long House. The house served as a store and post office, and at one time, may have been a grain storage facility.
This view looks across the Griggstown causeway towards the Long House. The house served as a store and post office, and at one time, may have been a grain storage facility.
This view at Kingston shows the size of the locks on the D&R. Because of the lock size, boats of all variety could navigate the D&R, which made it the more successful of the two NJ canals.
This view at Kingston shows the size of the locks on the D&R. Because of the lock size, boats of all variety could navigate the D&R, which made it the more successful of the two NJ canals.
A beautiful 1880 illustration shows a bucolic view of New Brunswick. While a Victorian era family looks across the Raritan River and D&R Canal, we see a collection of canal boats, saling vessels, crew boats and work scows on the water, while horse-drawn carriages and trains pass over on bridges.
A beautiful 1880 illustration shows a bucolic view of New Brunswick. While a Victorian era family looks across the Raritan River and D&R Canal, we see a collection of canal boats, saling vessels, crew boats and work scows on the water, while horse-drawn carriages and trains pass over on bridges.
The New Brunswick factory district is shown on the D&R canal with the Raritan River in the foreground.
The New Brunswick factory district is shown on the D&R canal with the Raritan River in the foreground.
Another view of the Railroad Hotel with the Alexander Road swing bridge to the right in the photo.
Another view of the Railroad Hotel with the Alexander Road swing bridge to the right in the photo.

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