Members of the Delaware River Sojourn Steering Committee accept the Recreation Achievement Award. Photo by the DRBC. Click for larger image.

The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) held its 35th Annual River Valley Awards ceremony earlier this month. Keynote remarks were made by U.S. Congressman Marc Molinaro (R; NY-19).

The Awards spotlight those who serve their communities, protect the resources and overall help enhance people's quality of life in the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River Valley in diverse and often unheralded capacities.

The Delaware River Sojourn Steering Committee (DRBC is a member) received the Recreation Achievement Award for its work organizing the Sojourn, an annual, week-long paddling and camping trip on the Delaware River, since 1995.

DRBC staff was pleased to be in attendance to celebrate the Sojourn Steering Committee's award, and we congratulate all the other winners. There are great things happening in the Upper Delaware Valley!

The Upper Delaware Council oversees a partnership of federal, state and municipal government to manage the 73.4-mile designated Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River. The UDC fills a vital role in the relationship between the National Park Service and the local communities. The DRBC is a non-voting member of the UDC.

  • Download the Awards Program (pdf)

  • Learn more about the UDC

A group photo of all the UDC 35th Annual River Valley Awardees. Photo by the DRBC. Click for larger image.	The Recreation Achievement Award for the Delaware River Sojourn Steering Committee. Photo by the DRBC. Click for larger image.	U.S. Congressman Marc Molinaro (holding photo) listens while UDC Chairperson Aaron Robinson (L) gives remarks. Photo by the DRBC. Click for larger image.

DRBC Executive Director Steve Tambini introduces the Innovation and Collaboration Award. Photo by the DRBC. Click for larger image.

Earlier this month, DRBC staff attended the Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin's (WRA) 40th Awards Gala. At the gala, the winners of the 2023 Water Resources Awards were announced. These awards recognize leadership, innovation and excellence in the science and management of water resources within the Delaware Basin.

The City of Camden, Camden County and the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority were awarded the Innovation and Collaboration Award for their effective partnerships with one another and with the community. "Camden’s leaders and its residents have worked tirelessly to improve their community connections to the water and to make Camden a place where people, nature and business can all thrive," said DRBC Executive Director and nominator Steve Tambini. Tambini introduced the Innovation and Collaboration Award at the gala.

The DRBC congratulates all of the winners, who were recognized for their work to mitigate impacts from climate change, partner collaboratively across various sectors and stakeholder groups and enable historically disadvantaged communities to improve their neighborhoods.

  • Read WRA news release announcing the winners (pdf)

The WRA is a nonprofit, non-partisan, advocacy and public information organization that promotes the science-based management of water resources within the Delaware River Basin to protect water dependent uses and enhance the long-term sustainability and resiliency of the river system.

  • Learn more about the WRA

Camden County's Maggie McCann accepts the Innovation & Collaboration Award. DRBC's Steve Tambini & WRADRB President Jennifer Garigliano stand behind. Photo by the DRBC. Click for larger image.	DRBC staff had a great time at the event. You could not ask for a better location! Photo by the DRBC. Click for larger image.	The WRADRB Awards Gala was held at the Fairmount Water Works on the Schuylkill River. Photo by the DRBC. Click for larger image.

NJ-AWRA President Becky Lyne (L) presents an Excellence in Water Resources Planning Award to DRBC's Dr. Namsoo Suk. Photo by the DRBC. Click for larger image.

DRBC staff attended the N.J. Section of the American Water Resources Association's (NJ-AWRA) 19th Annual Water New Year's Eve Celebration, where they honored two projects with their Excellence Award. One was to the DRBC for our work to improve Delaware River Estuary dissolved oxygen and associated aquatic life uses. The other was to the City of Hoboken for the Northwest Resiliency Park, which will aid in stormwater management in the city.

  • NJ-AWRA Water New Year's Eve Event Info

  • Learn more about the DRBC's Delaware River Estuary Aquatic Life Use Project

You may be asking, what is a "water new year"? Hydrologists use a year that starts on October 1 - when soil moisture begins to be recharged following the summer months - and ends on Sept. 30. It is a NJ-AWRA tradition to celebrate Water New Year's Eve by honoring folks doing great work in water resources.

The DRBC is proud to accept this award highlighting our scientific and engineering work to improve water quality in the Delaware River Estuary, and we also say kudos to the City of Hoboken for their award!

The NJ-AWRA serves as a forum for information exchange, bringing together water resource professionals from across the state of New Jersey. The NJ-AWRA also works to advance water resources research, planning, development, management and education. The DRBC's Manager of Water Resource Modeling Tom Amidon currently serves as its Immediate Past President.

DRBC staff in attendance accept the Excellence Award. From L to R: DRBC's Dr. Fanghui Chen, Tom Amidon, Dr. Namsoo Suk and Dr. Li Zheng. Photo by the DRBC. Click for larger image.	The DRBC received an Excellence in Water Resources Planning Award from the NJ-AWRA. Photo by the DRBC. Click for larger image.	NJ-AWRA President Becky Lyne (L) presents a representative of the City of Hoboken with the NJ-AWRA Excellence Award. Photo by the DRBC. Click for larger image.