Upper Delaware River (UDR) Network Newsletter

June 2026 Edition

Summer is a favorite season of many who spend time living, working, and recreating in the Upper Delaware River Watershed. Travelers from all over the world visit the Upper Delaware River watershed to experience the wild and scenic opportunities of the region and create lasting memories. For the conservation community, Summer brings field work, project implementation, community events, and other initiatives that remind all why the Upper Delaware River is so important,

In this edition, you'll find an update on the 2026 UDR Network Regrant Program, information about Summer water temperature in relation to angling, events and public learning opportunities, migratory species spotlight, and a featured watershed project: Countywide Assessment of Potable and Wastewater Infrastructure.

UDRN Regrant RFP’s Coming Soon!

​The Upper Delaware River Network’s regrant program aims to sustain and enhance fish and wildlife habitat; improve and maintain water quality for fish, wildlife and people; sustain and enhance water management to benefit fish and wildlife; and improve outdoor recreational opportunities within the Upper Delaware River watershed in New York State. Through this program, your project may be eligible for funding. Be on the lookout for RFP’s in August/September! Reach out to Sherri (RegrantProgram@fudr.org) with any questions regarding the UDRN Regrant Program. 

Summer Water Temperature & Angling

Summer in the Upper Delaware River Watershed is here and with warmer air temperatures coincides warmer water temperatures. Fortunately, the tailwaters sections of the Upper Delaware River stays cool throughout the Summer thanks to bottom releases out of Cannonsville and Pepacton reservoirs. Check out FUDR’s latest blog “River Insights and Updates” to learn more about how the Flexible Flow Management Program (2017) has measures in place to mitigate Summer water temperatures and how your personal choices can aid in the conservation of the fishery.

Registration is open for the 2026 UDR Rendezvous!

We are excited to welcome a strong turnout this year and are working hard to make the Rendezvous as accessible as possible for our community, partners, and watershed friends.

This year, we are offering Early Bird pricing (ends July 31st) and Community Member pricing to help reduce barriers to attendance. We encourage everyone to choose the ticket option that best fits their budget.

For those who are able, purchasing a full-price General Admission ticket helps cover the true cost of attendance and makes it easier for us to offer reduced-rate options to others. Discounted tickets are made possible through sponsorship support, including generous funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help offset event costs.

Thank you for helping us build an inclusive, well-attended, and energizing Rendezvous for the Upper Delaware River community. We hope to see you there!

Register for the 2026 UDR Rendezvous Here!

Upper Delaware River Habitat Assessments Underway!

FUDR and Trout Unlimited have partnered this Summer to collect habitat data on priority waters in the Upper Delaware River Watershed. The Upper Delaware River Conservation Corps (UDRCC) consists of six aspiring conservation professionals who have been out in the field surveying in order to document and collect important biological, geomorphological, and hydrological information. Data collected this Summer will be used to assess watershed conditions and inform future projects/management. If you see the crew out in field, be sure to give them a wave!

Species Spotlight: American Shad

Summer is here which means so are many of the migratory fishes that utilize the Upper Delaware River Basin to fulfill their life cycle(s). Migratory fishes that can be seen in the UDR basin include Striped Bass, Sea Lamprey, American Eel, and American Shad. American Shad are anadromous and rely on high quality habitat in the Upper Delaware River for spawning. For more information about American Shad, check out this Delaware River Basin Commission Webpage!

Featured Watershed Project

In this newsletter we are featuring UDR Network member Sullivan County. Thanks for everything you do!

Potable water supply and wastewater management are essential services that, in Sullivan County, are provided by a variety of different arrangements. In support of our efforts to aid municipalities in the County in the collection and centralization of data regarding water and sewer systems, the Division of Planning, with the support of Delaware Engineering, D.P.C., undertook this Countywide Assessment of Potable and Wastewater Infrastructure.

The Countywide Assessment of Potable and Wastewater Infrastructure, (or CAPWI, for short), is organized into two volumes:

Volume I includes information on the County as a whole, and contains recommendations based on the data obtained and analysis performed throughout the project. Volume II includes detailed profiles for each municipality within the County, as well as a glossary of key terms, defining various acronyms and industry language used within the reports.

Both volumes are available on the website, here: https://www.sullivanny.gov/Departments/PlanningEnvironmental/PlansandStudies/CAPWI

We would like to extend an invitation from the Upper Delaware River Watershed Network to join the UDRN Steering Committee. 

The Upper Delaware River Network's top goal is to carry out the Upper Delaware River Action Agenda and regrant funds for on the ground projects to improve the watershed.

To participate as a voting member (including a vote on which projects to fund) please email info@udrwatershed.org

Thanks for taking a moment to read the UDR Network Watershed Newsletter! We hope it helps you gain a broader understanding of all the work happening in the watershed and provides you with an opportunity to meet new partners, learn new strategies, and identify opportunities to strengthen your watershed work! 

If there is an activity or event that your organization would like featured in the next newsletter, please email info@udrwatershed.org. To learn more about the UDR Watershed Network, visit our website https://www.udrwatershed.org.

-The UDR Watershed Network Team

Activities and Important Dates