Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, administered by the National Park Service, preserves almost 70,000 acres (28,000 ha) of land along the Delaware River's New Jersey and Pennsylvania shores. Middle Delaware National Scenic River is a designated 40-mile (64 km) section of the river entirely within the recreation area.
The park was originally conceived as part of a plan to build a dam on the Delaware River at Tocks Island, just north of t...
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Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, administered by the National Park Service, preserves almost 70,000 acres (28,000 ha) of land along the Delaware River's New Jersey and Pennsylvania shores. Middle Delaware National Scenic River is a designated 40-mile (64 km) section of the river entirely within the recreation area.
The park was originally conceived as part of a plan to build a dam on the Delaware River at Tocks Island, just north of the Water Gap. This dam would control water levels for hydroelectric power generation and create a 37 mile lake in the center of present park for use as a reservoir. Starting in 1960, the present day area of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area was acquired for the Army Corps of Engineers through eminent domain. Between 3,000 and 5,000 dwellings were demolished, including historical sites, and about 15,000 people were displaced by the project. Because of massive environmental opposition, dwindling funds, and an unacceptable...
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