An Overview of Delaware's Rivers, Bays, and Ponds

Largest and Most Notable Waters

Delaware’s water network is compact but diverse. The Delaware River and tidal Delaware Bay define the east, while the western edge drains to the Nanticoke River (Chesapeake Bay). In the north, Piedmont streams like the Christina River, Brandywine Creek, White Clay Creek, and Red Clay Creek flow through rocky valleys to Wilmington. Central and southern Coastal Plain rivers include the Appoquinimink, Smyrna, Leipsic, St. Jones, Murderkill, Mispillion, and Broadkill rivers. Along the Atlantic, the Delaware Inland Bays—Rehoboth Bay, Indian River Bay, and Little Assawoman Bay—anchor coastal recreation. Major freshwater bodies include Lums Pond (Delaware’s largest), Hoopes Reservoir, Newark Reservoir, Killens Pond, and Trap Pond.

Water Sources for Rivers and Ponds

Flows are driven by precipitation and groundwater exchange. Piedmont streams rise on crystalline bedrock slopes; Coastal Plain rivers meander through low‑gradient marshes. Tidal influence extends far inland along the Delaware River, Bay, and Inland Bays.

Types of Rivers

Delaware features:

Piedmont bedrock streams with riffles and falls (Brandywine, White Clay).
Coastal Plain blackwater rivers and tidal creeks (Broadkill, Mispillion, St. Jones).
Tidal estuaries & bays (Delaware River & Bay, Inland Bays).
Engineered canals like the Chesapeake & Delaware (C&D) Canal and the Lewes–Rehoboth Canal.

Types of Lakes

Natural lakes are rare; most named “lakes/ponds” are historic millponds or reservoirs (e.g., Lums, Killens, Hoopes, Newark). Coastal lagoons such as Gordons Pond and Silver Lake (Rehoboth) are brackish and connected to dune systems.

River Directions

Most drainage flows east to the Delaware Bay/Atlantic. The southwest corner drains west/south via the Nanticoke to the Chesapeake Bay. Tides and wind strongly influence levels in estuarine reaches.

Navigation & Ports

The Port of Wilmington sits on the Christina near its confluence with the Delaware River. The C&D Canal provides a sea‑level link between the Delaware River and Chesapeake Bay. The Indian River Inlet connects Indian River Bay to the Atlantic.

Dams and Their Uses

Historic mill dams created many ponds used today for water supply, flood control, and recreation—notably Lums Pond, Killens Pond, Hoopes Reservoir, and Newark Reservoir. Canal structures regulate navigation depths.

Recreation

Paddling on Brandywine/Christina/White Clay, fishing at Lums, Killens, and tidal creeks, and boating on the Inland Bays and Delaware Bay are popular.

Flooding & Coastal Hazards

Riverine flooding can follow heavy rain, while nor’easters and tropical systems drive storm surge in Delaware Bay and the Inland Bays. Setbacks, marsh conservation, and living‑shoreline projects help reduce risk.

Agriculture & Water

Coastal Plain drainage ditches and impoundments manage water for fields and habitats; municipal supply relies on a mix of surface reservoirs and groundwater.

Water‑Quality Focus

Key issues include nutrients and bacteria in tidal creeks/bays and legacy contaminants in portions of the Delaware River. State and federal programs implement TMDLs and habitat restoration.

Delaware Rivers, Bays, Ponds and Water Features

Delaware River (DE reach), DE Delaware Bay, DE Christina River, DE Brandywine Creek, DE White Clay Creek, DE Red Clay Creek, DE Naamans Creek, DE Shellpot Creek, DE Appoquinimink River, DE Blackbird Creek, DE Smyrna River, DE Duck Creek, DE Leipsic River, DE Little River (Kent Co), DE St. Jones River, DE Murderkill River, DE Mispillion River, DE Cedar Creek (Slaughter Beach), DE Prime Hook Creek, DE Broadkill River, DE Lewes–Rehoboth Canal, DE Rehoboth Bay, DE Indian River, DE Indian River Inlet, DE Indian River Bay, DE Assawoman Canal, DE Little Assawoman Bay, DE Dirickson Creek, DE White Creek, DE Herring Creek (Rehoboth Bay), DE Love Creek, DE Guinea Creek, DE Canary Creek, DE Nanticoke River, DE Broad Creek (Nanticoke trib.), DE Deep Creek (Nanticoke trib.), DE Gum Branch (Nanticoke trib.), DE Gravelly Branch (Nanticoke trib.), DE Clear Brook (Nanticoke trib.), DE Marshyhope Creek (DE reach), DE Chesapeake & Delaware Canal (C&D), DE Gordons Pond (coastal lagoon), DE Silver Lake (Rehoboth), DE Silver Lake (Dover), DE Lake Como (Smyrna), DE Moores Lake (Dover), DE Garrisons Lake, DE Noxontown Pond, DE Lums Pond, DE Hoopes Reservoir, DE Newark Reservoir, DE Killens Pond, DE Trap Pond, DE Records Pond (Laurel), DE Hearns Pond (Seaford), DE Concord Pond (Seaford), DE Haven Lake (Milford), DE Silver Lake (Milford), DE Wagamons Pond (Milton), DE Red Mill Pond (Lewes), DE Reynolds Pond, DE Blairs Pond, DE Griffith Lake, DE Andrews Lake, DE McGinnis Pond, DE Coursey’s Pond, DE Tub Mill Pond, DE Horsey Pond, DE Tidbury Pond, DE Barclay Farms Pond, DE Beck’s Pond, DE Hoopes Reservoir, DE Carousel Park Lake, DE White Clay Creek Preserve ponds, DE St. Jones Reserve marshes, DE Bombay Hook NWR impoundments, DE Prime Hook NWR impoundments, DE Cape Henlopen tidal flats, DE Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (Delaware reach), DE