Today, a lot of outdoor enthusiasts are familiar with the Lehigh River – but are maybe unaware of its history. They have followed it path, launching out of the Pocono Peak Lake, before continuing southwest by way of the current. The Lehigh boasts a proud tradition, stretching back thousands of years to the Lenni Lenape Indians, who originally settled the surrounding land. The Lenni Lenape initially named the river Lechewuekink – a Native-American term that means “where there are forks.”

A Story Full of Twists and Turns

The Lehigh River has been channeling through Northeastern Pennsylvania for thousands of years. Yet colonial inhabitants of the region tended to view this 109-mile artery as little more than an extension of the Delaware.

Matters changed during the early 1800s. A businessman named Josiah White used his company’s resources to build a series of commercial waterways branching off of the Lehigh. White’s canals allowed for the export of local resources, most notably iron, wood, and coal.

The defining moment for the Lehigh River occurred during 1862. This is when a vicious storm swept through, flooding the waterway and its tributaries. Boulders crashed, the levees broke, and Josiah White’s canal system went irreversibly kaput. The fallout, which occurred after the height of the Industrial Revolution, opened the door for the Lehigh and Susquehanna Railroad to become the region’s primary source of commercial transport.

A Blessing in Disguise

While it’s unfortunate that Josiah White’s canals eventually gave way, environmentalists will contend that the canals’ failure was a long-term win for the area. Given the massive amounts of coal that were being exported, records show that the river was being polluted. The water occasionally ran black with a powdery film that was being left behind.

Today the Lehigh River is environmentally-friendly, and it is mainly recreational attraction. Tourists flock to the Lehigh Valley during the warm-weather months to go fishing, kayaking or whitewater rafting (among other things). In addition, the Lehigh Gorge Trail runs alongside the river, spanning 26 miles of state park. White Haven, one of the Lehigh River’s neighboring boroughs, was named after its founder, Josiah White.

Whitewater Challengers hosts a celebration of the Lehigh River ever year – the Lehigh RiverFest where kayakers and outdoor lovers can come together for an event filled with adventure. Join us for the event or on any day to learn more about the rich history of the Lehigh River.