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Outstanding Resources

in the White Clay Watershed

Fish and Wildlife Resources

The Watershed includes mature forest, open field, wetland, and river ecosystems, a variety of habitats that gives the watershed its rich diversity that includes 33 species of small mammals, 21 species of fish, and 27 species of reptiles and amphibians, and over 90 species of breeding birds. White Clay Creek is a major trout fishing stream, with both Pennsylvania and Delaware annually stocking both rainbow and brown trout.

Cultural and Historic Resources

The Watershed has been occupied by various peoples for more than 10,000 years. The Lenni- Lenape or Delaware natives lived along the banks of White Clay Creek, where abundant game and fertile lands provided the resources for intermittent village settlements.
Historic and architecturally important sites abound in the watershed. Eight sites in Pennsylvania, including Primitive Hall and Lunn's Tavern, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In Delaware, 30 properties representing the fields of commerce, architecture, religion and agriculture are listed on the national register.
Further points of interest are the Mason-Dixon Line markers and the Arc Corner monument.

Recreation & Open Space

About 10% of the watershed is protected open space, including the bi-state White Clay Creek Preserve, and White Clay Creek State Park and New Castle COunty Middle Run Valley Natural Area in DE. Besides bait and fly-fishing, recreational opportunities in the watershed include hiking, jogging, bird watching, picnicking, horseback riding, biking, cross county skiing, sledding, swimming, and hunting.

Take advantage of the wonderful events and programs within the Preserve and Park:

• White Clay Creek State Park (DE)
• White Clay Creek Preserve (PA)
• Middle Run Valley Natural Area

Drinking Water

White Clay Creek, and the Cockeysville aquifer that underlies portions of the watershed, provide drinking water to over 128,000 citizens in Pennsylvania and Delaware.