Partnership for the DE Estuary

From its headwaters in Maryland, the Christina River Basin flows through the rolling hills and farms of Pennsylvania and Delaware, meandering through communities of all sizes until it empties into the Delaware River in Wilmington.  The Brandywine River, White Clay Creek, Red Clay Creek, and the Christina River together make up this 565 square-mile watershed.

This highly developed yet ecologically significant watershed provides many benefits, including:

• Providing habitat for important animals such as bald eagles, brook trout, bog turtles, and striped bass
• Supplying 100 million gallons of drinking water each day to more than half a million people
• Supporting major economic activity, including the Port of Wilmington, which imports 1 million tons of bananas annually – the largest volume in the nation.
• Delivering more than 75% of the water supply for residents and businesses in New Castle County, Delaware.
• Offering ecological and recreational values that approach $300 million annually.

The natural beauty of the many streams and valleys of this watershed also inspired generations of artists and illustrators, including those of the Brandywine School, made famous by the art of Howard Pyle, the Wyeth family, Frank Schoonover, and others.