Pages Categorized With: "Watershed Stewardship"
Shoreline Public Access
Starting in the summer of 2026, Delaware communities along Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay shorelines will need approved shoreline public access plans before beginning beach nourishment, maintenance or improvement projects using public funds. To help them meet that requirement, DNREC’s Shoreline and Waterway Management Section (SWMS) has developed guidelines for developing shoreline public access plans.Marsh Migration in Delaware
Tidal wetlands face serious threats from rapid environmental changes. They are challenged by accelerated rates of rising water levels and increased storm surge associated with climate change. In response, these habitats have adapted a survival mechanism called marsh migration. Marsh MigrationPocomoke Watershed Wetland Assessment
The Pocomoke watershed is partly located in southern Sussex County and extends south into Maryland. It encompasses 138,125 acres of land in both states. Though most of the Pocomoke watershed is agricultural land, this area contains Category One wetlands, which are unique and ecologically significant freshwater areas.Nonpoint Source Program Project Highlights
This page includes information on some of the recent projects undertaken by the DNREC Nonpoint Source Program and its partners to help meet local water quality goals. Projects have been leveraged with Clean Water Act Section 319 funding and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program funding. Clean Water Act Section 319Economic Analysis for Shoreline Management
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has released a study that investigates the economic benefits of beach nourishment and begins to explore a more equitable policy to share the cost of these projects with the people who benefit from them. [button type=”primary” block=”true” link=”https://documents.dnrec.delaware.gov/Watershed/Shorelines/economic-analysis/Full-Report.pdf”Biennial Partnership Meeting
The DNREC Nonpoint Source Program hosted a Biennial Partnership Meeting in Lewes on May 3, 2023, sharing the work and achievements of the program and its partners. The next meeting will occur inOnline CCR Course Field Trip Registration
The Sediment and Stormwater Program’s Certified Construction Reviewer (CCR) course is an online class with an in-person field trip component. The course is available on the Delaware Learning Center as a self-paced, 12-hour class and final exam. After successful completion of the online portion, participants must complete an in-person field trip and submit a correspondingSubmerged 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 completed the emergency dredging and beach repair project at the North Indian River Inlet Beach. Approximately 480,000 cubic yards of sand was dredged and used for restoration. Updated April 9, 2025
Total 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. The DNREC Chesapeake Bay Implementation Program is soliciting proposals, through a competitive grant process, to improve water qualityBuffer 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.Indian 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
Delaware Wetlands Conference Registration
The 2026 Delaware Wetlands Conference offers two days of exploration into a plethora of wetland and natural resources presentations, networking opportunities, and hands-on activities.Sponsors and Exhibitors
Sponsors and exhibitors at the Delaware Wetlands Conference gain visibility across many sectors of Delaware, the mid-Atlantic and beyond. From government organizations to universities, from non-profits to private business professionals, the conference attracts attendees and presenters from throughout the region and an array of other states.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. Currently, funding for this program is on pause with no date of potential reinstatement. With no funding for the program and itsWaterway 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.
Presentations and Posters
The call for poster proposals for the 2026 Delaware Wetlands Conference is open. Poster proposals are accepted until Dec. 19, 2025. The call for abstracts for oral presentations is now closed. ProfessionalsChester-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
