Pages Categorized With: "Wetlands"
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.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 wetlandsLiving 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 itsBrandywine 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 estatePresentations 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.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 2025 Water Family Fest and Native Plant Sale on May 3 was a great success! A fine time wasWetland 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
Wetland 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
Library: Education and Outreach Materials
A collection of wetlands education and outreach materials from the DNREC Watershed Assessment Section. Wetland Publications LibraryDelaware Wetlands
The DNREC Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Program, known as Delaware Wetlands, provides quality reports on the status, health and function of Delaware’s wetlands. It collaborates with other government agencies, businesses, non-profits and universities to further wetland research.Contact Us
Enjoy Wetlands
Nearly 30 percent of Delaware is covered in wetlands, offering residents and visitors alike the opportunity to explore and enjoy everything wetlands have to offer. Whether it’s visiting one of the nature centers, or taking a hike through a park, wetlands are easily accessible across the state. So grab your friends and family and checkDelaware Wetlands Status and Trends
Delaware’s Wetlands Status and Trends reports are based on the results of wetland trends analyses performed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) Program for Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. Two reports have been published, one in 2001 and another in 2011.Appoquinimink River Watershed Wetland Assessment
The Appoquinimink River watershed is located within New Castle County and contains the Towns of Odessa, Middletown and Townsend. It drains into the Delaware Bay, encompassing 58,591 acres of land. Wetland Assessment ReportsMispillion Wetland Assessment
The Mispillion and Cedar Creek watersheds are located in southeastern Kent County and northeastern Sussex County. In Delaware this watershed includes the cities and towns of Milford, Houston, Lincoln and Slaughter Beach. Wetland Assessment ReportsWetlands Provide
Wetlands provide many important economic, social, and environmental benefits. Fish and Shellfish ProductionBroadkill Watershed Wetland Assessment
The Broadkill River watershed in Sussex County encompasses 68,500 acres within the Delaware Bay and Estuary Basin. Twenty percent of the watershed is covered in wetlands. Wetland Assessment ReportsLibrary: Wetlands Videos
A collection of wetlands videos from the DNREC Watershed Assessment Section. All links below will open in YouTube. Wetland Publications LibraryInland Bays Watershed Wetland Assessment
Unique and rare wetland communities surrounding the Inland Bays include Atlantic White Cedar swamps, sea-level fens, and interdunal swales providing habitat for numerous rare plants and animals. Wetland Assessment ReportsDelaware Wetland Management Plan
Delaware is a state rich with wetlands that vary from forested vernal ponds, to highly productive salt marshes, to unique Bald Cypress Swamps. As stewards of these great resources it is our responsibility to slow the loss of wetland acreage, improve the health of remaining wetlands and work together to better understand and share withMurderkill Watershed Wetland Assessment
Located in Kent County, the Murderkill watershed covers 28,000 hectares (69,000 acres) within the Delaware Bay and Estuary Basin. This watershed contains many key natural heritage and wildlife habitats such as coastal plain streams and ponds, impoundments, wetlands and beach dunes. Rare wetland habitats including coastal plain ponds and bald cypress riverine patches are locatedSea Level Rise and Delaware’s Wetlands
Over the past century, Delaware has experienced a sea level rise of more than one foot. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the rate of sea level rise will increase over the next century. This will lead to the loss of coastal wetlands in Delaware. [column md=”6″ xclass=”col=xs-12 col-md-6Nanticoke Watershed Wetland Assessment
Located in the Coastal Plain physiographic region, the Nanticoke River watershed historically was very rich in wetland resources which covered an estimated 46 percent of the land area. Wetland Assessment ReportsLiving Shorelines
A living shoreline is a method of shoreline stabilization and protection for wetlands that is built using natural materials and native plants. They are a habitat friendly alternative to rip rap, bulkhead or stone revetments.Contact Us
St. Jones Watershed Wetland Assessment
Located in Kent County, the St. Jones River watershed covers 57,643 acres of the Delaware Bay Basin. The St. Jones River is dammed at Silver Lake in Dover and then winds 10 miles through residential and commercially developed areas, the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve, and the Ted Harvey Wildlife Area, before emptying into DelawareWetlands Purify
Wetlands purify our water by removing sediments and other pollutants including chemicals. Wetlands also filter and process excess nutrients that may runoff from agricultural and development sites. Wetlands have been called “the kidneys of our watersheds.” Wetlands Purify [button type=”info”Library: Management Plans and Monitoring Protocols
A collection of management plans and monitoring protocols from the DNREC Watershed Assessment Section. Wetland Publications LibraryWetland Health Assessments
The Wetland Monitoring and Assessment program is tasked with the job of assessing the health of Delaware’s wetlands.Contact Us
Alison Rogerson Watershed Assessment 302-739-9939
