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 Nanticoke River, with a gauge stage of ft at this location. This river is monitored from 1 different streamgauging stations along the Nanticoke River, the highest being situated at an altitude of ft, the .
The Nanticoke River is a major river in the Delmarva Peninsula, flowing for approximately 64 miles from southern Delaware to Maryland's Chesapeake Bay. The river has played a significant role in the area's history, serving as a vital transportation route for Native Americans, European settlers, and African slaves. Today, it is used for fishing, boating, and other recreational activities. The Nanticoke River is also used for agricultural purposes, with many farms and livestock operations located along its banks. There are several reservoirs and dams along the river, including the Marshyhope Creek Dam, Blades Dam, and Records Pond Dam. These structures provide hydroelectric power and help regulate the river's flow for various uses. Overall, the Nanticoke River is an important natural resource, providing a significant economic and cultural contribution to the region.
YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)
Streamflow Conditions
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nanticoke River Near Bridgeville
USGS 01487000 |
22 cfs | 4.15 ft | 0 |
History of the River
The Nanticoke River is a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay on the Delmarva Peninsula. It rises in southern Kent County, Delaware, flows through Sussex County, Delaware, and forms the boundary between Dorchester County, Maryland and Wicomico County, Maryland. The tidal river course proceeds southwest into the Tangier Sound, Chesapeake Bay. The river is 64.3 miles (103.5 km) long. A 26-mile ecotourism water trail running along the River was set aside in July 2011 by Delaware state and federal officials, contiguous with a 37-mile water-trail extending through Maryland to the Chesapeake Bay.Some of the main tributaries that feed the Nanticoke on the west-side include: Cow Creek; Jack Creek; Wapremander Creek; Marshyhope Creek; and the east side: Gravelly Fork, Gum Branch, and Broad Creek. Notable towns and communities situated along the river include Nanticoke, Bivalve, Vienna, and Sharptown in Maryland; and further north the city of Seaford, Delaware.
According to a study paid for by the town of Vienna, the English explorer John Smith travelled up the Nanticoke River and mapped it, and visited with Native Americans in their settlement, now believed to be Vienna.The river was dredged in 1990 and 2013 to facilitate shipping travel along the course.