Clean, free-flowing rivers create unique and valuable ecosystems. Riffles, runs, and pools in the main channel of the Delaware River provide a variety of aquatic habitats. Dense underwater plant beds shelter game fish, minnows, and darters. Buried in the sandy bottom, common elliptio mussels filter river waters. Bears, river otters, and great blue herons hunt the shoreline under the shade of silver maples and sycamore trees. Bald eagles and osprey soar through the sky scanning the water for fish.
