TOTAL RIVER DISCHARGE
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the reporting a streamflow rate of cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Murderkill River, with a gauge stage of ft at this location. This river is monitored from 1 different streamgauging stations along the Murderkill River, the highest being situated at an altitude of ft, the .
The Murderkill River is a river in Delaware, USA. It is approximately 26 miles long and runs through Kent County, Delaware. The river's name is derived from the Dutch word "moord", which means murder, and "kill", which means creek. The river is primarily fed by precipitation and is dammed by three reservoirs: McGinnis Pond, Killen Pond, and Coursey Pond. These reservoirs serve as sources of drinking water for the surrounding communities.
The Murderkill River has a rich history, dating back to the Native Americans who lived in the area. It was also an important route for early European settlers and played a role in the American Revolution. Today, the river is used for recreational activities such as fishing and boating, and some portions of the river are used for agricultural purposes.
YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)
Streamflow Conditions
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Murderkill River At Bowers
USGS 01484085 |
493 cfs | 2.15 ft |
History of the River
The Murderkill River is a river flowing to Delaware Bay in central Delaware in the United States. It is approximately 21.7 miles (34.9 km) long and drains an area of 106 square miles (270 km2) on the Atlantic Coastal Plain.
The Murderkill flows for its entire length in southern Kent County. It rises just west of Felton and flows generally east-northeastwardly, through Killen Pond (site of Killens Pond State Park) and Coursey Pond, under Carpenters Bridge, and past Frederica to Bowers, where it enters Delaware Bay about 0.5 miles (1 km) south of the mouth of the St. Jones River. The Murderkill River is tidally influenced from its mouth upstream to just past Frederica, and is considered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to be navigable for the lower 10 miles (16 km) of its course.According to 2002 data from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, 55% of the area of the Murderkill River's watershed is occupied by agricultural uses; 17% is forested; 14% is urban; 9% is wetland; and 2% is water.