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.

For listing of species see:

Fish Species found in the White Clay Creek Watershed

Amphibians found in the White Clay Creek Watershed

Mammals found in the White Clay Creek Watershed

Birds found in the White Clay Creek Watershed

Visit the Delmarva Ornithological Society's webpage to learn more about birds and birding events in our area.

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.

A listing of structures in the watershed in the National Historic Registry is under development and will be posted when available.

The New Garden Township Historical Commission website has a variety of information about the historic and cultural resources within their township:  Proposed Stream Names for tributaries of the East Branch of the White Clay Creek and information on Historic Structures, the Landenberg Bridge, New Garden Biographies, Cemeteries, and publications and events.

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 country 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 (New Castle County)

A printable .pdf version of the trail map is available here.

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 through individual wells and water providers.

Learn more about the City of Newark water supply from the White Clay Creek and the reservoir as a recreational area at the City Of Newark Department of Water and Wastewater.

United Water Delaware also uses the White Creek for its customers.

Artesian Water utilizes water from the Cockeysville aquifer as one source for its water supply.