<P> The river flows in a highly winding course through valleys between ridges of the Appalachian Mountains . Its upper course is characterized by numerous whitewater rapids and supports a broad range of recreational pursuits including whitewater rafting, kayaking and canoeing . Its lower course forms the heart of the Lehigh Valley, a historically important anthracite coal and steel - producing region of Pennsylvania . </P> <P> The river rises in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania, in several ponds in Lehigh Township, Wayne County, approximately 15 miles (24 km) southeast of Scranton . It flows initially southwest, through southern Lackawanna County, through Francis E. Walter Reservoir . Near White Haven it turns south, following a zigzag whitewater course through Lehigh Gorge State Park to Jim Thorpe, then southeast, past Lehighton . Southeast of Lehighton, it passes through Blue Mountain in a narrow opening called the Lehigh Gap . </P> <P> From the Lehigh Gap, the river flows southeast to Allentown, where it is joined by Little Lehigh Creek, then northeast past Bethlehem, where it joins the Delaware River in Easton, along Pennsylvania's border with New Jersey . </P> <P> The PA Gazetteer of Streams shows that the Lehigh River begins as the outflow of Pocono Peak Lake . Flowing south from the south end of the lake (a natural but dammed body of water) it turns west after a mile and receives water from many lakes and ponds as it flows past the borough of Gouldsboro . </P>

Where do the delaware and lehigh rivers meet