Pages Categorized With: "Watershed Stewardship"
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Program
Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), also known as seagrass, bay grass or underwater grasses, is critical to the health of aquatic ecosystems. It provides habitat, food and nursery grounds for commercially and recreationally important fish and shellfish and helps improve water quality by trapping sediments, absorbing excess nutrients and mitigating shoreline erosion. [columnIndian River Inlet North Beach Repair Project
DNREC has begun the emergency dredging project to repair the North Indian River Inlet Beach. Beginning the week of Nov. 25, dredged material from the Inlet flood shoal will be used to restore the beach and dune system. The project aims to strengthen shoreline resiliency and protect critical infrastructure, like Delaware StateTotal Maximum Daily Loads and Advance Restoration Plans
When monitoring reveals that waterways do not meet Delaware’s water quality standards for their intended uses, as defined in Delaware’s Surface Water Quality Standards, they are added to a list of impaired waterways (Delaware’s 303(d) List). For each impaired waterway, the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) requires states to develop Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)CoastSnap DE
Visitors to two of Delaware’s most popular beaches can help collect valuable data needed to monitor Delaware’s changing coastline. And all they need is their smartphone. CoastSnap DE is part of a global community science project that places simple camera mounts at beaches. Visitors are invited to takeDivision of Watershed Stewardship
The DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship manages and protects the state’s soil, water and coastlines. It uses a comprehensive array of watershed-based programs to ensure proper stewardship of Delaware’s natural resources. Watershed Assessment and ManagementWhite Creek and Assawoman Canal Dredging
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has completed a dredging project in the White Creek and Assawoman Canal navigation channels. The primary goal of the project was to improve safe navigability. Secondarily, dredged material was placed in degraded marshes to restore lost habitat. ProjectChesapeake Implementation Program
The DNREC Chesapeake Implementation Program administers water quality focused programs and manages grants that fund projects within the Delaware portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed designed to reduce nonpoint source (NPS) pollution.Contact Us
Holly Walker 302-608-5458
Buffer Incentive Program in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) offers incentives for urban and agricultural landowners to install buffers along waterways within Delaware’s Chesapeake Bay watershed. Eligible landowners that qualify will receive an incentive payment for land they enroll in the program. A buffer is a linear stripSwimming Advisory Caution
The DNREC Recreational Water Program monitors bacterial water quality at established sampling sites throughout the state from May through September. If bacterial sampling results exceed state standards, DNREC issues swimming advisories for Atlantic Ocean beaches, as well as for Delaware Bay beaches south of and including Lewes Beach and for Lake Como in Smyrna.Economic Analysis for Shoreline Management
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has commissioned a study to explore the economic benefits of beach nourishment and to begin to develop new approaches to funding projects needed to maintain Delaware’s shorelines. This will be a public process, with public meetings to present information to Delaware residents andIndian River Near Millsboro Beneficial Use Dredging Project
Work is set to begin in the summer of 2024 on dredging the navigational channel along the Indian River, near Millsboro. The material dredged from the channel will be used in a marsh enhancement project to restore a local wetland area.Contact Us
Wetland Assessment Map
The Wetland Monitoring and Assessment program publishes wetland health assessments of the health of Delaware’s wetlands at a watershed level. The map below provides basic information about the health of the wetlands in Delaware watersheds for which assessments are complete. Watersheds are shown in colors reflecting the overall health of the wetlandsVibrio Control Plans
Vibrio is a naturally occurring bacteria present in high levels in seawater when temperatures are warm. It can cause serious illness in humans. The National Shellfish Sanitation Program requires Delaware to implement plans to reduce the risk of Vibrio illnesses from oysters harvested in Delaware. Vibrio — Vibrio parahaemolyticus (V.p.) — canDesigner Training Modules
The following resources from the DNREC Sediment and Stormwater Program are provided to assist Sediment and Stormwater Management Plan designers in use of the Delaware Urban Runoff Management Model (DURMM) and the design of post construction stormwater best management practices.Contact Us
Community Conservation Assistance Program
The Delaware Community Conservation Assistance Program (DeCAP) is a cost-share program that provides financial incentives, technical and educational assistance to property owners for installing eligible Best Management Practices (BMPs) in Delaware’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed.Contact Us
Delaware Inland Bay and Delaware Bay Coast Coastal Storm Risk Management Study
The Coastal Storm Risk Management Study of the Delaware Inland Bays and Delaware Bay Coast (known as the Back Bay Study) will explore potential storm risk management problems and flood risk reduction solutions. It will recommend risk reduction solutions that increase community resilience to coastal storms. Statement fromLiving Shoreline Cost Share Program
Living shorelines can protect and enhance the beauty of shoreline properties. The DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship provides cost share assistance for installing living shorelines and stabilization projects. Living shorelines use natural materials like native plants, oyster shells and biodegradable coconut-fiber logs as a barrier to defend againstWaterway Section Comment Form
This form is for comments on projects undertaken by the DNREC Waterway Management Section. Please include your name and contact information and select the project you are commenting on from the dropdown menu. Your NameMurderkill Inlet Jetty Rehabilitation
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has begun a project to replace and rehabilitate the jetties at the entrance of the Murderkill River.Contact Us
Shoreline and Waterway Management Section 302-608-5500
Emergency Murderkill River Inlet Dredging
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has completed an emergency dredging project at the mouth of the Murderkill River. The goal of the project was to restore navigability and increase boating safety while strengthening shoreline resiliency.Contact Us
Pilottown Road Mitigation Study
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has undertaken an investigation of flood mitigation options for the section of Pilottown Road, in Lewes, that crosses Canary Creek near its confluence with the Broadkill River. The section of Pilottown Road leading to the Canary Creek bridge isBlue-Green Algae in Delaware
Blue-green algae blooms occur each year on Delaware ponds, lakes and some tidal freshwater areas. Because they can have harmful effects on people and animals, the state has posted warning signs at water bodies which historically have had blooms.Contact Us
Brandywine Watershed Wetland Assessment
The Brandywine watershed is located within New Castle County, where it encompasses 72,969 acres of land. This is the northernmost watershed in Delaware and is part of the Piedmont region. Though most of the Brandywine watershed is developed, this area contains Category One wetlands, which are unique and ecologically significant freshwater areas.Delaware Wetland Restoration Strategies
Wetlands across the state of Delaware face many challenges. However, there are opportunities to combat specific issues and to restore and protect Delaware’s wetland resources. The DNREC Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Program is developing strategies, specific to Delaware’s different watersheds, to identify and pursue those opportunities. The wetland restoration strategies will helpReal Estate Professionals and Wetlands
Delaware real estate professionals can help their clients buy and build wisely when it comes to wetlands. Those who stay up to date on wetland issues in the state can help their clients avoid problems, and costs, when they buy land or homes in Delaware. As the landowner’s first contact, real estateLocal Government Guide to the Chesapeake Bay
The Local Government Guide to the Chesapeake Bay is a seven-module series created to support decision-making by local officials. A Local Government Guide to the Chesapeake Bay, a video introduction from the Chesapeake Bay Program.
Chester-Choptank Watershed Wetland Assessment
The Chester-Choptank watershed is located partially in Kent County and partially in New Castle County, where it encompasses 113,944 acres of land. Unlike most of Delaware’s watersheds, the Chester-Choptank drains to the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay drainage basin in Delaware, including the Chester-Choptank watershed, provides an estimated $3.4 billion in ecosystem goods and services.Floodplain Mapping for Bundicks Branch
DNREC and the federal government are working on an update of the floodplain maps for Bundicks Branch, located west of Lewes, in Sussex County. The study involves new data and engineering models. The floodplain map update will occur through a process called a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR). TheSuccess Stories: Tappahanna Ditch
Runoff from agricultural areas caused high bacteria levels in Delaware’s Tappahanna Ditch of the Choptank River. As a result, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) added the watershed to the 1996 Clean Water Act (CWA) section 303(d) list of impaired waters for bacteria and nutrients. Watershed stakeholders provided technical assistance andSuccess Stories: Iron Branch
Runoff from agricultural areas caused high bacteria levels in Delaware’s Iron Branch of Indian River Bay. As a result, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) added the watershed to the 1996 Clean Water Act (CWA) section 303(d) list of impaired waters for bacteria. Watershed stakeholders provided technical assistance and installed agriculturalCoastal Construction Permits
The DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship manages permits and approvals under the regulatory programs that govern coastal construction in Delaware.Contact Us
Jennifer Luoma Pongratz 302-608-5502
Drainage Concern Reporting Form
You can get advice or technical assistance with drainage issues on your property. The first step is reporting the issue, using the form below. What is your name? How can we contact you?Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
DNREC is part of a state and federal partnership with the USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, that aims to add up to 10,000 acres of Delaware agricultural land to the USDA Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). Landowners in the CREP receive funding to support land conservation practices.Wetlands Education Opportunities
There are multiple opportunities for wetland education and field trips in Delaware. They include opportunities within the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and among our conservation partners. DNREC Opportunities The Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Aquatic Research Education Center (AREC) offers extensive wetlandWetlands Protect
Wetlands protect us against flooding and erosion of our shores. Flood Storage WetlandsLibrary: Wetland Health Reports
A collection of wetland health reports from the DNREC Watershed Assessment Section. Wetland Publications LibraryLibrary: Long-Term Wetlands Monitoring
A collection of long-term wetlands monitoring documents from the DNREC Watershed Assessment Section. Wetland Publications LibraryYou Can Help Wetlands and Watersheds
Whether your property is in a suburban, urban, or rural landscape you can adopt several watershed and wetland friendly behaviors that will reduce your impact on the waters and land downstream of you. Here are some of the simple changes, and the more dedicated changes, you can makeWhat’s at Risk?
Even with numerous federal and state level protection efforts, many nontidal (e.g., headwater tributaries) and isolated (e.g., flooded forests, seasonal ponds) wetlands are threatened because of gaps in existing regulations or are being impacted illegally due to limited enforcement activity. Legally, wetlands are permitted to be impacted onWater Family Fest and Native Plant Sale
DNREC and the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays host an annual Water Family Fest and Native Plant Sale at the James Farm Ecological Preserve, in Ocean View. The event highlights the work of each organization to improve Delaware’s wetlands, water and recreational shorelines. LearnWetland Plant Field Guide
Plants are a key factor for identifying wetlands. The Delaware Wetland Plant Field Guide aims to make distinguishing wetlands easier by providing a transportable plant guide for use by the public, scientists, and practitioners alike.Contact Us
Library: Education and Outreach Materials
A collection of wetlands education and outreach materials from the DNREC Watershed Assessment Section. Wetland Publications LibraryWetland Monitoring and Assessment
By understanding the health of our wetlands, we also can better understand how to restore them and protect them from actions that cause damage.Contact Us
Alison Rogerson Delaware Wetlands 302-739-9939
