Nanticoke River Explorers Brochure
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he Nanticoke River is the wetland functions. Both Maryland and Delaware have Submerged aquatic largest Chesapeake Bay identified the Nanticoke watershed as a priority area vegetation (SAV) tributary on the lower for protecting and enhancing natural resources for is considered an SCALE SEAFORD River Towns and Delmarva Peninsula, Nanticoke River recreation and conservation and recognize the need indicator species for 0 1 2 3 Watershed NANTICOKE RIVER The Tmeandering gently through marshland, to develop a greater sense of stewardship among water quality and 1 Points of Interest forests and farmland, on its 50 mile journey from southern the growing population. provides important miles Delaware to Tangier Sound in Maryland. Navigable beyond habitat for many Present Day307 Access and313 Information Seaford Boat Ramp SEAFORD, DE 1 Seaford, Delaware, the river has played an important role in animal species. Living Resources HURLOCK 20 Seaford was once part of Dorchester Nanticoke commerce and trade throughout its history, providing a critical Historically, there NANTICOKE WILDLIFE AREA, DELAWARE County in the Province of Maryland. First were well-established water route for early Native American tribes, and later for European The interaction between land and water that takes place in the This wildlife area surrounds historic Broad Creek called “Hooper’s Landing”, Seaford was settlers. The Nanticoke watershed encompasses approximately Nanticoke watershed has created diverse natural conditions and an SAV beds in the lower just South of Seaford, DE on the Nanticoke. Visitors laid out in 1799, and incorporated in 1865, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Atmospheric National Oceanic and Woodland just three days prior to the end of the Civil 725,000 acres, including over 50,000 acres of tidal wetlands. which abundance of wildlife. The diversity of forests, fields and shallow Nanticoke but they can enjoy leisurely hikes through the forested trails, Ferry Experience the river by kayak. SECRETARY Nanticoke War. In 1939, Seaford became the “Nylon River represent about one-third of all the tidal wetlands in the State marshes, provides suitable habitat for a number of rare, threatened have been steadily on foot or by horseback, and the area has long been Wildlife Area 14 Capital of the World” when the DuPont of Maryland. The watershed is also the most biologically diverse or endangered plant and animal species. Neotropical songbirds, declining since the 1970’s. Surveys also indicate a significant DORCHESTER COUNTY, MD coveted by anglers as a wonderful spot for fishing. EAST NEW For more information call (302) 539-3160. Company opened the first Nylon plant. watershed on the Delmarva, and is reduction in waterfowl, fish and shellfish populations. A variety of MARKET such as warblers and the American Dorchester County is the largest county on Maryland’s Eastern Tobacco cultivation was also prominent Explorers Welcome home to the highest concentration redstart, rely on the watershed’s factors have contributed to this decline: habitat disturbance, over- Shore. It is surrounded by bays and rivers leaving only 20 miles of in Seaford. William Henry Harrison Ross, DELAWARE of bald eagles in the northeastern forests during their annual migrations harvesting, blockages to fish migration, pollution and disease. land-to-land border with its neighbor, creating a prime destination MARYLAND an innovative farmer with extensive land ELDORADO for outdoor recreation. Agriculture dominates the northeast holdings in Seaford, became Delaware’s 400 Years Ago and Today United States. According to the and nesting. Other bird species found M 2 portion of the county, with the remaining land comprised primarily Governor in 1851. The Ross Mansion and 2000 Census, the watershed is home in the area include: eagles, ospreys, Historically, coastal marshes like those in the Nanticoke River 14 a BETHEL 16 rs Plantation features his Italian Renaissance of forests and marsh. Dorchester County’s wetlands account for h 313 B to 42,459 residents. Population herons, peregrine falcons, owls, wild watershed were generally wider and landforms like spits, beaches, and y road Creek approximately 39% of the all the wetlands in Maryland, which h GALESTOWN style home. density is expected to increase by islands were notably different than they are today. While wetlands o Phillips Landing turkeys, and many different waterfowl provides a diverse ecosystem and habitat for wildlife. p and coastal areas are afforded some protection from development e 19.5% between 2000 and 2020 and wading birds. Mallards, black Nanticoke Wildlife Area BETHEL, DE 2 under State and Federal wetland regulations, due to a combination duck, wood duck, and Canada geese 50 The entire town of Bethel, a quaint village are the principal migratory game of sea level rise, erosion and other factors these fragile marshes O Creek of Victorian and Italianate architecture, is C Nature and are being damaged and even destroyed. A recent report noted a E on the National Register of Historic Places. species which breed in the watershed. A Cherry Beach Park & N DORCHESTER Cope Bennett Park Once a prosperous shipbuilding center, Extensive wood duck habitat is reasonable projection for sea level rise of at least 2 feet by the year SHARPTOWN SUSSEX the community is traced to 1840 when Heritage Tourism 2100. As a result, water quality will suffer and habitat for marsh present in the wooded swamps that COUNTY 3 Kendall Lewis laid out twelve building lots. The Eastern Shore offers many dependant wildlife and food webs for many aquatic species will be 24 Days Gone By Museum, Woodland, Delaware DNREC border the upper Nanticoke River and COUNTY Originally known as Lewisville, the name opportunities to relax, recharge, and Marshyhope and Broad Creeks. irreversibly changed. 348 changed to Bethel in 1880. GATE WAY leave hectic lifestyles behind. Local roads and byways are flat, offering 331 er excellent cycling adventures, while the many pristine waterways A variety of mammals can also be found in the watershed including: iv 50 SHARPTOWN, MD 3 R Fisheries and Aquatic Life provide scenic trails for recreational boaters, as well as both novice beaver, raccoons, rabbits, otters, opossums, skunks and red and g Sharptown once laid claim to the largest in k SUSSEX COUNTY, DE fleet of schooners anywhere on the river, and experienced paddlers. Visitors to the region have the option of grey fox. Muskrats are commonly seen in the marsh along with During the 17th century Tangier Sound (just below the mouth of ua 313 nsq Sussex County, the birthplace of the broiler chicken building eighteen U.S. merchant ships bringing bicycles and kayaks from home or renting them from a nutria. The nutria is a South American rodent that was accidentally the Nanticoke) was host to a great number of historical oyster beds Tra industry, is Delaware’s largest county spanning in the latter part of the 1800’s. This local outfitter. introduced to the area in the and other shellfish, like hard clams, that thrived in the pristine industry flourished up until the early 19th FISHING BAY 4 979 square miles. The diverse landscape is home 1930’s, resulting in considerable waters. The oyster beds were sometimes found extending up into the WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA VIENNA to historic seaside and river towns full of history, century when most of the area’s forests had In addition to recreational activities, damage to the wetland and Wicomico River. Like many charm and personality. Western Sussex County is been cleared (as a result of boatbuilding Maryland’s largest parcel of publicly owned – and Vienna visitors to the Eastern Shore will field areas where they roam. areas in the Bay these oyster Boat Ramp the center of the state’s agriculture industry with and farming) and shipbuilding all but nearly pristine – tidal wetlands offers 28,500 acres of ver Ri the most land under cultivation in the State. disappeared from the region. While find opportunities to explore and Fortunately, recent efforts to bars have suffered from over remote wilderness for boaters and paddlers to explore co shipbuilding is no longer a way of life learn about the area’s rich cultural and enjoy. Adjacent to the 65,000 acre Blackwater i control nutria are achieving fishing and a decline in water m o 54 on the Nanticoke, barges still actively c National Wildlife Refuge, the area is ideal for bird a heritage. The history and heritage of significant results. quality. More recently, the 5 DELAWARE transport goods up and down the river m watchers, paddlers, anglers and hunters. a Lecompte the Eastern Shore has been shaped diseases Dermo and MSX c B MARDELA SPRINGS as in colonial times. Cherry Beach and i WMA arr h en MARYLAND and refined by its relationship to C Cope Bennet Parks provide the following Healthy populations of squirrel, have reduced the population Cr ee Mardela Springs ON THE DELMARVA PENINSULA the bay with its abundant natural rabbit and deer also provide further. Oyster harvests were k Boat Ramp amenities. resources and miles of shoreline. recreational opportunities for relatively low during the late 50 MARYLAND AND DELAWARE VIENNA, MD 4 The story begins 12,000 years hunting and wildlife observation. 1960’s and early 1970’s, The waterfront community of Vienna ago with settlement of the area Darden Tom Delmarva fox squirrel is one rebounded slightly in the Town of Vienna, Maryland WICOMICO COUNTY, MD was known as a hub for commerce and by various Native American tribes, of the rare animals that makes late 1970’s, and since that trade and in 1762 was an official customs WICOMICO Wicomico County is the “heart” of the Delmarva FOR MORE INFORMATION through the colonial and civil war eras, and continues to the its home here and were once common throughout the Delmarva time, have shown a steady Annette Chenault collecting port in the colonies.