The thirdmajor river system is the
Delaware River
. This river also
begins in southeastern New York and drains 14% of our state. It forms a
natural border between New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Twomajor tributaries
are the
Lehigh
and
Schuylkill Rivers
. Philadelphia is amajor deep-water
port located along the Delaware River. Once again, use themap on this
page to trace the river to the body of water into which it empties.
Our three largest river systems have been very important
resources in the development of our state. They supply
residents with drinking water. They supply water for cooling
nuclear reactors that produce electricity. Throughout time,
people have used these waterways as transportation routes.
Ships and barges have carried huge amounts of
freight
, such as
coal and steel. The Delaware, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers are
especially well known for shipping goods. One exception, however, is
the Susquehanna River. It is too shallow to allow shipping of products.
Throughout time, people have used Pennsylvania’s
waterways as transportation routes. Ships and barges have
carried huge amounts of freight, such as coal and steel.
Chesapeake
Bay
Delaware
Bay
Gettysburg
Easton
Carlisle
Chambersburg
Harrisburg
Mercersburg
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Johnstown
StateCollege
Williamsport
York
Allentown
Erie
Altoona
Bethlehem
Lancaster
Reading
Scranton
Wilkes-Barre
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Lake
Erie
12
Understanding Pennsylvania
Conneaut Lake
Tioga Lake
Hammond Lake
