A canal in Bucks County is looking more like a canal again following a dry spell that neighbors say has lasted too long.

The opening of a box, flip of a switch and a cascade of water. Thanks to a pump sitting near the Delaware River, new hope is being brought to the Delaware Canal.

"(The pump) brings water up through the pipe under the towpath and puts into the canal," explained Rick Dalton.

The Delaware Canal State Park Manager Rick Dalton flipped the switch Sunday. It will fill the canal from the Center Bridge to New Hope Bucks County.

"It's just another dream come true," said Susan Taylor.

Pricey too. The cost to keep the canal full comes to $1,200 per month. Susan Taylor, who runs the non profit Friends of the Delaware Canal, partnered with another non-profit and raised $32,000 to pay for the pumps' electricity.

"The canal is meant to have water in it. Without it's just a ditch," she said.

"It brings life to the area. New Hope has needed it for a long time," Melissa Lefchack said.

Lefchak, the event coordinator at the Centre Bridge Inn, says "when will the water return" has been a constant question for years.

"Always hearing something different so to actually see it happen is exciting," Lefchak went on to say.

Built back in the 1820's the canal was used to haul coal to Philadelphia. Since 2004 the canal has been creamed by heavy flooding. Outside of a six month stretch this will be the first time in four years the canal has been full.

But just as the water was turned on another obstacle arose.

The canal was supposed to be full by the end of the week but the Ferry Street bridge project in New Hope will delay that for another couple of weeks.

In the meantime the water is waiting.

"The canal requires patience. If you don't have patience you can't deal with the Delaware Canal," Taylor said.