Division 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 Management

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New Tool Helps Delawareans Manage Flood Risk Amid Rising Climate Threats

Flooding is already a problem in Delaware, the lowest-lying state, and it is expected to worsen over time due to climate change. That’s why the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has launched a new flood planning tool, known as I-ADAPT, or the Individual Adaptation and Decision Planning Tool.

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I-ADAPT: A Flood Planning and Adaptation Tool

The Individual Adaptation Decision and Planning Tool, I-ADAPT, is designed to help Delaware residents adapt to increased flooding. Users enter information about their property and the tool generates recommendations on how to lower their flood risk.  As Delaware residents experience flooding events more frequently due to climate change induced sea

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I-ADAPT Definitions

The following is a glossary of terms used throughout the I-ADAPT tool and associated documents. The definitions are organized alphabetically. 100-year floodplain: According to FEMA, the 100-year floodplain is the boundary of the flood that has a 1-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given

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How to Use the I-ADAPT Tool

The I-ADAPT tool will ask a series of questions about your property and personal preferences. These questions are used to develop recommended strategies based on the specific information about your property. The questions span several pages within the tool. To toggle between these pages, select the “Next” button at

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Flooding Adaptation Strategies

This page lists all of the flooding adaptation strategies and their associated informational documents available through the I-ADAPT Tool.  The adaptation strategies are listed by category — Interior, Exterior, Shoreline, Yard and Other adaptations — and alphabetically. Interior Adaptations Backflow

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Additional Resources

This page lists additional resources that are referenced throughout the adaptation strategy documents associated with the I-ADAPT planning tool.  These resources are listed alphabetically. C Community Rating System D Delaware

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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 is

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Flooding – What You Can Do

Flood Awareness Week is May 20-24, 2024. Are you prepared for flooding?

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Floods: Are You Prepared?

Delaware has the lowest average land elevation in the United States. It is more susceptible to flooding and faces an increased risk from sea level rise. Be prepared. Know your flood risk and how to manage it. With Climate Change, and the uncertainty it brings, the saying “Where

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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). The

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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?  

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Tax Ditch Program

DNREC provides administrative and technical assistance and support to tax ditch organizations and landowners across the State. Tax Ditch Law Questions and Answers

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Tax Ditch Questions and Answers

The DNREC Tax Ditch Program has collected questions often asked by landowners about tax ditches. If you have additional questions, please contact the Tax Ditch Program at 302-855-1930 or by email. Tax ditch channels range in size from six to 80

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Drainage and Stormwater Assistance

Each year thousands of Delawareans express concerns about drainage and stormwater. In many cases, residents don’t know who to contact if they have a problem. Several state and local agencies, including DNREC, DelDOT, conservation districts and municipal public works programs can help resolve drainage and flooding related problems.

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Drainage Programs

The Drainage Programs work with landowners, tax ditch organizations and federal, state and local agencies to improve drainage, stormwater management and water quality in Delaware. Drainage Program 302-855-1930 Report Drainage Concerns 302-855-1955

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Wetland And Channel Restoration

The Drainage Program is responsible for over 45 wetland and stream restoration projects, resulting in approximately 180 acres of total restoration and habitat creation. Restoration activities are put into practice in a variety of locations, including local schools (creating an outdoor classroom), backyards of private landowners (Smith and Battista), marginal agricultural fields,

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Floodplain Management

The DNREC floodplain management program works to preserve public health, safety, and well-being and protect property by reducing flood hazard risks statewide. Flood Insurance Floodplain Mapping

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The First State Watermark

An archive of past editions of The First State Watermark, Delaware’s floodplain management newsletter. December 2021 July 2021 February 2021 June 2020 January 2020 June 2019 May

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Resources for Communities

The federal government requires communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to adopt updated floodplain regulatory language to comply with NFIP requirements. Floodplain Management [button type=”primary” block=”true”

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Floodplain Mapping

The DNREC Floodplain Management Program works with FEMA to improve the accuracy of Flood Insurance Rate Maps, which were originally created in the 1970s, and to provide technical support pertaining to flood risk. Floodplain

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The National Flood Insurance Program

Homeowners’ insurance does not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program. Floodplain Management Floodplain Mapping [button type=”primary” block=”true”

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Resilient Community Partnership: Atlantic Coast Communities and Lewes

DNREC’s Delaware Coastal Programs (DCP) office has partnered with a group of seven unique coastal municipalities on a comprehensive assessment of impervious surface coverage. The project will produce community-specific strategies for reducing existing and future impervious surface coverage and increasing stormwater infiltration. Local Leadership [column

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Creating a Flood Ready Community

This course, presented with the University of Delaware Institute for Public Administration, Delaware Sea Grant and DNREC Coastal Programs, reviews the multiple sources of flood risks to Delaware communities that can be addressed and mitigated through planning, codes and ordinances. This training covers floodplain requirements for municipalities. It presents

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Flood Risk and Avoidance

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) provides resources to state agencies and local government planners to help them identify and find ways to lessen risks from flooding. State agencies are responsible for building and maintaining infrastructure that keeps the state running. Roads, schools, wastewater treatment

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