Tacony

Tacony is a boat ramp access point on the Delaware River in Philadelphia, positioned on a major tidal river system that drains a 13,521 square mile watershed. The Delaware River at this location is a Stream Order 8 waterway, classified as a major river comparable to the Mississippi or Missouri, with an average flow of over 30,000 cubic feet per second. As a tidal river in this section, water conditions are influenced by ocean tides and can vary significantly throughout the day, making it important for paddlers to check tide tables before launching.

The site serves the lower Delaware River, which features moderate current velocities averaging 3.11 feet per second and notable tidal influences near Philadelphia. Boaters should be prepared for strong current conditions, particularly during flood tides or high water periods. This is an urban river access point with commercial and recreational boat traffic typical of the Philadelphia area, so awareness of other watercraft is essential. The river in this section has a relatively gentle gradient at 2.7 feet per mile, though the overall watershed elevation drop of 882 feet occurs across the entire 331-mile length upstream.