White Clay Creek

Geobox River
name = White Clay Creek
native_name =
other_name =
other_name1 =

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image_size =
image_caption = White Clay Creek running through Newark, Delaware
country = United States
country1 =
state = Pennsylvania
state1 = Delaware
region_type = Counties
region = Chester
region1 = New Castle
district =
district1 =
city = Newark, DE
city1 =
length_imperial = 25
watershed_imperial = 107
discharge_location =
discharge_imperial =
discharge_max_imperial =
discharge_min_imperial =
discharge1_location =
discharge1_imperial =
source_name = West Branch White Clay Creek
source_location = Penn Township
source_district =
source_region = Chester County
source_state = Pennsylvania
source_country =
source_lat_d = 39
source_lat_m = 48
source_lat_s = 57
source_lat_NS = N
source_long_d = 75
source_long_m = 52
source_long_s = 09
source_long_EW = W
source_elevation_imperial =
source_length_imperial =
source1_name = Middle Branch White Clay Creek
source1_location = Londonderry Township
source1_district =
source1_region = Chester County
source1_state = Pennsylvania
source1_country =
source1_lat_d = 39
source1_lat_m = 51
source1_lat_s = 40
source1_lat_NS = N
source1_long_d = 75
source1_long_m = 52
source1_long_s = 20
source1_long_EW = W
source1_elevation_imperial =
source1_length_imperial =
source_confluence_location = London Britain
source_confluence_district =
source_confluence_region = Chester County
source_confluence_state = Pennsylvania
source_confluence_country =
source_confluence_lat_d = 39
source_confluence_lat_m = 45
source_confluence_lat_s = 59
source_confluence_lat_NS = N
source_confluence_long_d = 75
source_confluence_long_m = 47
source_confluence_long_s = 41
source_confluence_long_EW = W
source_confluence_elevation_imperial = 259
mouth_name = Christina River
mouth_location =
mouth_district =
mouth_region = New Castle County
mouth_state = Delaware
mouth_country =
mouth_lat_d = 39
mouth_lat_m = 41
mouth_lat_s = 51
mouth_lat_NS = N
mouth_long_d = 75
mouth_long_m = 37
mouth_long_s = 19
mouth_long_EW = W
mouth_elevation_imperial = 0
tributary_left = East Branch White Clay Creek
tributary_left1 = Middle Run
tributary_left2 = Pike Creek
tributary_left3 = Mill Creek
tributary_left4 = Red Clay Creek
tributary_right =
tributary_right1 =
free_name =
free_value =


map_size =
map_caption =

White Clay Creek is a tributary of the Christina River, approximately 25 mi (40 km) long, in southern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware in the United States. It is renowned for its scenic character and is largely federally protected.

The 107 square mile White Clay Creek watershed is home to nearly 100,000 people and includes parts of Chester County, Pennsylvania and New Castle County, Delaware. The Pennsylvania portion still retains a rural character while the Delaware portion is more suburbanized. Sediment eroded from the rolling hills of Chester County is carried into the White Clay, probably accounting for the creek's name.

The majority of the stream is in the Piedmont region which is characterized by rolling hills, plateaus, and stream valleys. The southern portion of the stream, near Newark is in the Atlantic Coastal Plain, a relatively flat area that is dotted with large tidal wetlands. The White Clay Creek empties into the Christina River at Churchman’s Marsh.

East Branch

The East Branch arises near the hamlet of Upland in West Marlborough Township. Flowing southward, it passes through Avondale, where it is joined by Trout Run. From Avondale, the former Pomeroy and Newark Railroad, abandoned in 1939, follows the creek southward. Further south, after the confluence of Egypt Run, the creek begins to turn and meander in a narrow gorge, passing through Landenberg, formerly a mill town and the junction of the Pomeroy & Newark with the Wilmington and Western Railroad. Exiting the gorge into a broader valley, the creek receives Broad Run shortly after entering the White Clay Creek Preserve. It joins the main body of the White Clay Creek in the Preserve, at the lost community of Yeatman.

Middle Branch

The Middle Branch originates in Londonderry Township. Flowing southward along the western edge of West Grove, it turns east, south again, and then east again to meet Indian Run. Turning south, it cuts sharply through the hills near Chesterville and meets the West Branch to form the main stem.

West Branch

The West Branch rises near Kelton and flows south and east through New London Township, gradually turning to the east where it meets the Middle Branch to form the main stem.

Main Stem

The main stem is formed by the junction of West and Middle Branches. From here, it enters a narrow valley and then the White Clay Creek Preserve, meeting the East Branch at Yeatman. It flows south through the White Clay Creek Preserve and enters New Castle County, Delaware and White Clay Creek State Park approximately 12 mi (19 km) west of Wilmington. Trails parallel the creek, some of them using parts of the Pomeroy & Newark roadbed, which follows the creek to the outskirts of Newark. The creek then turns away to the east, receiving Middle Run and Pike Creek. As it approaches the Christina estuary, the valley opens up, and it passes Delaware Park. Mill Creek flows into it, shortly followed by its largest tributary, Red Clay Creek. The conjoined streams turn southwest and then back to the east as they loop around Bread and Cheese Island, formed between the Red Clay, White Clay, and Hershey Run by a back channel now filled. Just after passing the island, White Clay Creek enters the Christina approximately 5 mi (8 km) southwest of Wilmington at Churchman's Marsh.

History and Ecology

The river's historical sites include lime kilns and 19th century mills. Its lower course includes the most extensive Piedmont forests remaining in Delaware that are home to several key species, including the federally listed endangered bog turtle. In 2000, the United States Congress designated 190 mi (304 km) of the river and its tributaries as part of the National Wild and Scenic River program.

ee also

*List of Delaware rivers
*List of Pennsylvania rivers

External links

* [http://waterdata.usgs.gov/pa/nwis/current/?type=flow U.S. Geological Survey: PA stream gaging stations]
* [http://www.volunteersolutions.org/volunteerway/org/215957.html White Clay Creek Preserve]
* [http://www.nps.gov/rivers/wsr-white-clay.html National Park Service: White Clay Creek]
* [http://www.state.nj.us/drbc/christinabasin.htm Christina River Basin]