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Christina Watershed

Christina River Watershed

Christina River Watershed

The headwaters of the Christina River watershed lie within the state of Maryland and enter Delaware west of Newark. The Christina River is tidal from just south of the town of Christiana to its confluence with the Delaware River at Wilmington. The Red and White Clay creeks converge in the vicinity of Stanton, Delaware, and the combined flow empties into the tidal Christina near Churchmans Marsh. Extensive tidal freshwater wetlands, including Churchmans Marsh, exist along the lower Christina. The Brandywine Creek flows through Wilmington and enters the Christina River just before the Christina flows into the Delaware River. The majority of the Christina River watershed is located in New Castle County (DE). Lower portions of the Christina River are under tidal influence.  The Christina River watershed is highly developed with 59% of the landuse classified as urban.

The Christina River watershed is part of the larger Christina River Basin, which is a 565 sq. mi. watershed comprised of the Brandywine, Red Clay, and White Clay Creeks, and the Christina River watersheds. 

Size: 78 square miles

Population: 182,321 (Source: 2010 U.S. Census)

Delaware Impervious Cover: 31.2%

 Source: NOAA Coastal Services Center (CSC), Coastal Change Analysis Program (C-CAP) Land Cover data based on analysis of Landsat 30m resolution imagery.

States: DE, MD and PA

 Counties:

Figure 2. Christina Watershed Land Use

Christina Watershed Land Use

  • DE: New Castle
  • MD: Cecil
  • PA: Chester

Christina River’s Bodies of Water

  • Churchmans Marsh
  • Muddy Run
  • Main stem Christina River
  • Lower Christina River
  • Smalley’s Pond (DE)