Broadkill 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 Reports

Wetland Assessments Home

Appoquinimink Watershed

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Inland 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 Reports

Wetland Assessments Home

Appoquinimink

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Murderkill 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 located

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Nanticoke 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 Reports

Wetland Assessments Home

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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 Delaware

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Wetland Health Assessments

The Wetland Monitoring and Assessment program is tasked with the job of assessing the health of Delaware’s wetlands. Wetland Assessment Reports

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Christina Watershed Wetland Assessment

The Christina Watershed is located in New Castle County, extending north and west into Maryland and Pennsylvania. In Delaware this watershed includes the cities and towns of Wilmington, Elsmere, Newark, and Christiana. Wetland Assessment Reports

Wetland Assessments

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Smyrna Watershed Wetland Assessment

The Smyrna River watershed encompasses 71 square miles and is composed of three sub-watersheds: Smyrna River, Duck Creek, and Cedar Swamp-Delaware Bay. It is located partially in Kent County and partially in New Castle County. The watershed is within the Delaware Bay and Estuary Basin, so all of its waters drain into the Delaware Bay.

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Leipsic Watershed Wetland Assessment

The Leipsic River watershed is composed of two sub-watersheds, Leipsic River and Little Creek, and encompasses 128 square miles. It is located in Kent County within the Delaware Bay and Estuary Basin, and all of its waters drain into the Delaware Bay. Land cover in this watershed is dominated by wetlands and agriculture.

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Red Lion Watershed Wetland Assessment

The Red Lion watershed is located within New Castle County, where it encompasses 46,283 acres (72 square miles) of land within the Delaware Bay and Estuary Basin. It is composed of the C&D Canal East, Dragon Creek, Red Lion Creek, Army Creek, and Broad Dike Canal. Approximately 16% of the land area of the watershed

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Revised Sediment and Stormwater Program Regulatory Guidance Documents

The DNREC Watershed Stewardship Sediment and Stormwater Program has released revised regulatory guidance documents for public review.

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Application for a Permit for Construction Seaward of the DNREC Building Line

Kenneth Glueck has submitted an application to landscape and regrade part of the yard seaward of the building line on Lot 21, Cotton Patch Hills.

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Chesapeake Bay Projects

This page includes information on some of the projects undertaken by DNREC and its partners to help meet the goals of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan.

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Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan – Phase III

There have been three phases of Delaware’s Chesapeake Bay WIP. Delaware developed its Phase I WIP in 2010 and its Phase II WIP in 2012. Both the Phase I and Phase II WIPs describe actions and controls to be implemented by 2017 and 2025 to achieve applicable water quality standards. The Phase III WIP provides

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Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan – Phase I

Draft Phase I Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs) were due to EPA on Sept. 1, 2010. Final plans were submitted on Nov. 29, 2010. Following the release of Delaware’s Draft Phase I WIP, numerous comments and questions from both EPA and various stakeholder groups within the watershed were submitted.

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Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan – Phase II

Delaware’s Draft Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan for the Chesapeake Watershed was submitted to the EPA on Dec. 15, 2011. EPA reviewed the document and provided comments in Feb. 2012. Public comments were accepted through March 21, 2012. All suggestions were considered and the document was modified accordingly.

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Events and Workshops

The DNREC Nonpoint Source Program has hosted and participated in a series of events, workshops, and presentations designed to promote and support improvements to the quality of Delaware’s waterways. Blackbird Creek Fall Festival (Oct. 18, 2025) The Nonpoint Source (NPS) Program staffed an exhibit at the annual

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Chesapeake Bay Milestones

To continue accelerating progress toward meeting water quality goals, the EPA and Chesapeake Bay Program jurisdictions, including Delaware, agreed to set interim two-year milestones – or short-term goals – as a critical part of an accountability framework. ChesapeakeStat Find data and information

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Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan

Delaware is among six Chesapeake Bay Watershed states – along with Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York – and the District of Columbia committed to a federal-state initiative to develop a pollution “diet” that will help restore the water quality of the Bay and its tidal waters by 2025. [column

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Verification of Best Management Practices

The implementation, tracking and reporting of Best Management Practices (BMPs) has been at the center of the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership’s restoration efforts for almost three decades. Properly installed and functioning practices and technologies reduce local flooding, protect sources of drinking water, ensure against the collapse of stream

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Watershed Plans and Strategies

Numerous documents describing plans or strategies for water quality and watershed improvements have been developed over the years. Some of these efforts originated through the Tributary Action Team process while others came through other initiatives. All of the documents below can be considered watershed management plans for the Water Quality Improvement Projects grant program

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Pollution Control Strategies and Tributary Action Teams

A 1997 federal court case required Delaware to set pollution limits for its waterways. These limits are called Total Maximum Daily Loads or TMDLs, a term you will hear a lot in water pollution discussions. In order to meet these new pollution limits, we are identifying ways to reduce water pollution. Usually, citizens don’t get

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Integrated Report: 305(b) Report and 303(d) List

Section 305(b) of the Federal Clean Water Act requires that states and other entities prepare and submit Watershed Assessment Reports to the US EPA on April 1 of every even-numbered year.

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You Can Help Protect Delaware’s Waterways

There are always things that you can do in your everyday life, no matter where you live, to help protect the waterways that serve as our drinking water sources, habitat for wildlife, and places of recreation. Maintain a Healthy Lawn and Garden A healthy lawn and garden makes a

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Watershed Assessment and Management

The Watershed Assessment and Management Section oversees the health of the state’s surface water resources and takes actions to protect and improve water quality for aquatic life and human use.

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Whole Basin Management

Beginning in the 1990s, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) took a different approach to assessing, managing, and protecting Delaware’s natural resources. This approach, known as Whole Basin Management, encouraged the various programs throughout DNREC to work in an integrated manner to assess different geographic areas of the state defined on the

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Protecting Our Waterways

There are many things each of us can do to help reduce nutrient and sediment pollution entering Delaware’s waterways. Our efforts will not only help protect the environment, but in many cases, when you lend a hand to protect our waterways, you will also find that you’re adding beauty to your yard,

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Water Quality Monitoring

Delaware’s bays, ponds, streams, and rivers are monitored on a regular basis to assess the quality of Delaware’s surface waters. Much of the monitoring is done by DNREC, though other groups, including federal agencies, academic institutions, and citizen volunteer monitoring programs, also contribute to these efforts.

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Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy

The Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy (PCS) and accompanying regulations were finalized in Nov. 2008. This strategy is designed to improve the water quality of the bays (Rehoboth Bay, Indian River Bay, and Little Assawoman Bay), as well as the rivers, streams, and ponds that drain to the bays. ADVISORY: A

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Surface Water Quality Standards

The National Clean Water Act of 1972 set in place a program that is intended to restore the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters. To reach these goals, a series of steps were mandated by Congress for the Environmental Protection Agency and the individual States to take. The first step was for

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Promoting Shellfish Safety

To ensure the safety of Delaware’s shellfish growing areas, it is important that residents and visitors help maintain good water quality and limit pollution while recreating in or near shellfish growing areas.

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Shellfish Plant Inspections

Plant inspections of all shellfish shippers and processors are conducted routinely by certified Shellfish Program staff to ensure compliance with national food safety regulations and those specific to the shellfish industry. Andrew Bell Environmental Scientist 302-739-9939

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Delaware Shellfish Program

The DNREC Shellfish Program is responsible for protecting public health by minimizing the risk of food borne illness due to the consumption of shellfish. Growing Waters and Plant Inspections Andrew Bell Environmental Scientist 302-739-9939 Enforcement Natural Resources Police 302-739-9913

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Application for a Permit for Construction Seaward of the DNREC Building Line

Ms. Linda Dressler and Mr. Christopher Randolf have filed an application for a permit for construction seaward of the DNREC Building Line to construct a third floor addition within the footprint of the existing dwelling on Lot 1, Block 40, Dewey Beach.

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Application for a Permit for Construction Seaward of the DNREC Building Line

Mrs. Catharine C. Dorrier has applied for a permit for construction seaward of the DNREC Building Line to build an elevator room within the existing porch on Lot 1112 and 910, Block 122, Bethany Beach.

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Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook Details

The Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook provides background information on erosion and sedimentation, information on Delaware’s regulatory program and standards and specifications for erosion and sediment control. Download the full Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook (PDF) and any of the standards and specifications to be used on Sediment and Stormwater Plans (below) that

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Sediment and Stormwater Newsletter

The DNREC Sediment and Stormwater Program offers an email-based newsletter that shares information on permitting, best practices, training opportunities, and more. Send a blank email to join-dnrec_sedstorm_news@lists.state.de.us to sign up for the newsletter. Past Issues 2026 Jan. 2024 2025

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Sediment and Stormwater Applications

The Delaware Sediment and Stormwater Regulations require an approved Sediment and Stormwater Management Plan from the department or a delegated agency for regulated land-disturbing activities. Related Fees

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Plan Review, Engineering, Construction and Maintenance Resources

The following are resources from the DNREC Sediment and Stormwater Program for sediment and stormwater plan reviews, engineering design, construction activities and maintenance of best management practices. Plan Review Engineering

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Stormwater Watershed Reports

This page contains links to reports on the characteristics of specific Delaware watersheds for use in preparation of sediment and stormwater plans. Appoquinimink Scope of Work Hydrology Report – January 2009 Appendix A – TSDN Documents

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Training and Certification

The DNREC Sediment and Stormwater Program provides several different training opportunities to help those involved in land development and construction projects meet the requirements of the Delaware Sediment and Stormwater Regulations.

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Sediment and Stormwater

The DNREC Sediment and Stormwater Management Program operates within the Division of Watershed Stewardship’s Conservation Programs Section. The program employs a comprehensive approach to sediment control (both during and after construction) and stormwater management that includes monitoring of stormwater quantity and water quality control. [panel type=”success”

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Sediment and Stormwater Delegated Agencies

The following agencies have delegation of Sediment and Stormwater Program elements, consisting of plan review, construction inspection, and maintenance inspection for their geographic boundaries. State Agencies Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control (DNREC) Division of Watershed Stewardship Sediment and Stormwater Program 285 Beiser Boulevard, Suite 102 Dover DE 19904 302-608-5458 DNREC is responsible

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Public Hearing: Regulations Governing the Control of Water Pollution

The Division of Watershed Stewardship will conduct a virtual public hearing on proposed revisions to the Regulations Governing the Control of Water Pollution, Part 2 – Special Conditions for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Construction Activities.

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Application for a Permit for Construction Seaward of the DNREC Building Line

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Grinspoon have applied for a permit for construction seaward of the DNREC Building Line to construct a single family dwelling with an 11′ cantilevered porch/deck on Lot 50, Block 1, South Bethany.

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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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