Walnutport officials asked to help maintain canal

Walnutport borough officials have been asked to do their part to help maintain a historic landmark.

Marilyn Kaul, historian, Walnutport Canal Association, made the request to borough council on Thursday.

“The canal was in crisis this past week,” said Kaul, who added that a pipe was blocked, and as a result, the water wasn’t flowing down the rest of the canal.

While the matter has since been addressed, Kaul noted it’s only a “temporary fix.”

“This isn’t the first time,” she said. “This is very dangerous; it just keeps on happening.”

Kaul added, “We need a permanent solution.”

In addition, Kaul said that there are trees growing in the canal bed of Lock 25.

“We have to get together to put an end to this problem,” she said. “We have to get a permanent solution to this problem.”

Kaul reiterated the importance of maintaining the canal.

“The canal is our history and hour heritage, and it’s imperative that we save it,” she said. “We just need to work together to preserve our history and our heritage.”

Michael Wentz, borough grant coordinator, told Kaul that contractors are busy this time of year, and therefore the borough is waiting on heavy equipment to get in.

“The people we go to to get heavy equipment are busy,” Wentz said. “We’re at the will right now of the industry.”

Wentz said he believes the borough needs to arrange for a meeting with state Sen. Mario Scavello and state Rep. Zach Mako’s office.

“It’s not going to cost any money to get (them) together,” he said. “Lock 25 should be a priority.”

Councilwoman Patrice Hunsicker added, “It’s a safety issue.”

Kaul said the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor “is well aware” of the issues at the canal.

“They’ve been aware of it for years,” she said.