UPPER DELAWARE RIVER — On Saturday, May 19, the National Park Service will offer a shad-viewing float trip on the Delaware River from the Callicoon River Access (PA) to the Skinners Falls River Access (NY) between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Join park biologists for a nine-mile river paddle to observe migrating American shad and learn about their natural history and ecology. The event celebrates American shad, World Fish Migration Day (http://www.worldfishmigrationday.com), and the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (https://www.riv ers.gov/wsr50/index.php).

The spring spawning run of American shad has taken place in the Delaware River for the past 10,000 years. Determined fish are now travelling 330 miles or more upriver from the ocean, on this last major river on the Atlantic Coast that is undammed the entire length of its main stem. Some of these three- to six-year-old fish have travelled over 12,000-miles at sea. Historically, the Delaware River had the largest American shad runs of any river on the Atlantic Coast, and migrating fish at one time likely numbered in the tens of millions, though the run is considerably diminished now.

The float trip is open to the public, but for a limited number of people with their own boats (canoes or kayaks) and transportation. Reservations must be made ahead of time by contacting Don Hamilton, Chief of Natural Resources, at don_hamilton@nps.gov (preferred), or 570/729-7842 ext. 3302.