Delaware River

The Delaware River is a river on the Atlantic coast of the United States. The Delaware was explored by Adriaen Block as part of the New Netherlands Colony, and was named the South River to mark the southernmost reach of that colony.

What do you know about the Delaware River? Explore the Quick US Geography Rivers and Streams Quiz.  "Check Your Answers" at the end of the page.

1. The main source of the Delaware River is the West Branch. The source is located on Mount Jefferson, Town of Jefferson, Schoharie County, New York. What is the elevation?

• 240 feet
• 1,140 feet
• 2,240 feet

2. What is the total length, from the head of the longest branch to Cape May and Cape Henlopen?

• 210 miles
• 310 miles
• 410 miles

3. Where does the tide-water meet the river?

• Trenton, New Jersey
• Delaware Water Gap
• Dover, Delaware

4. The Delaware River crosses at the Delaware Water Gap, between nearly vertical walls of limestone. What is the ridge?

• Marshall Ridge
• Kittatinny Ridge
• Washington Ridge

5. What tributary flows into the Delaware River in Philadelphia?

• Schuylkill River
• Willow Grove Rive
• Clark River

6. After New York City had made 15 reservoirs (with more to come) for their water supply, and with a growing population, the city tried to gain permission to make five reservoirs along the Delaware River's tributaries. However, they were denied the permission to impound the Delaware's tributaries to make new reservoirs. So in 1928, New York City decided to draw water from the Delaware River to feed the population boom that had started during the beginning of the Great Depression. There were, however, villages and towns across the river in Pennsylvania that were already using the Delaware for their water supply. The two sides eventually took their case to the U.S. Supreme Court, and in 1931, New York City was finally allowed to draw 440 million gallons of water a day from the Delaware and its upstream tributaries.

• True or False?

7. Perhaps the most famous �Delaware Crossing� involved the improvised boat crossing undertaken by George Washington�s army during the American Revolution on Christmas Day, 1776. This led to a successful surprise attack on the Hessian troops occupying Trenton, New Jersey. The crossing took place near what current town?

• New Hope
• Fort Washington
• Fort Necessity

8. What is the name of the tributary that begins South of Claryville, Sullivan County?

• Neverdie River
• Keepalive River
• Neversink River

9. The Delaware River is a major barrier to travel between New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Most of the larger bridges are tolled only westbound, and are owned by the Delaware River and Bay Authority, Delaware River Port Authority, Burlington County Bridge Commission or Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission.

• True or False?

10. What is the elevation at the Delaware Bay?

• 0 feet
• 5 feet
• 10 feet

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