White Clay Creek
Encyclopedia
White Clay Creek is an 18.5 miles (29.8 km) tributary
of the Christina River
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 miles (277.1 km²) 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.
. 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.
. 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.
, gradually turning to the east where it meets the Middle Branch to form the main stem.
and enters New Castle County, Delaware and White Clay Creek State Park
approximately 12 miles (19.3 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 miles (8 km) southwest of Wilmington at Churchman's Marsh.
kiln
s 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 miles (305.8 km) of the river and its tributaries as part of the National Wild and Scenic River
program.
Tributary
A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...
of the Christina River
Christina River
The Christina River is a tributary of the Delaware River, approximately 35 miles long, in northern Delaware in the United States, also flowing through small areas of southeastern Pennsylvania and northeastern Maryland. Near its mouth the river flows past downtown Wilmington, Delaware,...
in southern Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
and northern Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is renowned for its scenic character and is largely federally protected.
The 107 square miles (277.1 km²) White Clay Creek watershed is home to nearly 100,000 people and includes parts of Chester County, Pennsylvania
Chester County, Pennsylvania
-State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were...
and New Castle County, Delaware
New Castle County, Delaware
New Castle County is the northernmost of the three counties of the U.S. state of Delaware. As of 2010 its population was 538,479, an increase of 7.6% over the previous decade. The county seat is Wilmington. The center of population of Delaware is located in New Castle County, in the town of...
. 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
Piedmont (United States)
The Piedmont is a plateau region located in the eastern United States between the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the main Appalachian Mountains, stretching from New Jersey in the north to central Alabama in the south. The Piedmont province is a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian division...
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
Atlantic Coastal Plain
The Atlantic coastal plain has both low elevation and low relief, but it is also a relatively flat landform extending from the New York Bight southward to a Georgia/Florida section of the Eastern Continental Divide, which demarcates the plain from the ACF River Basin in the Gulf Coastal Plain to...
, 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, 13.5 miles (21.7 km) long, arises near the hamlet of Upland in West Marlborough TownshipWest Marlborough Township, Pennsylvania
West Marlborough Township is a township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 814 at the 2010 census. East Marlborough and West Marlborough townships were carved out of the larger Marlborough Township in 1729....
. Flowing southward, it passes through Avondale
Avondale, Pennsylvania
Avondale is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,265 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Avondale is located at ....
, where it is joined by Trout Run. From Avondale, the former Pomeroy and Newark Railroad
Pomeroy and Newark Railroad
The Pomeroy and Newark Railroad was a predecessor of the Pennsylvania Railroad in the U.S. states of Delaware and Pennsylvania. It connected Pomeroy, Pennsylvania to Newark, Delaware, and has mostly been abandoned.-History:...
, 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
Landenberg, Pennsylvania
Landenberg is an unincorporated community in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is, essentially, a post office address that covers parts of New Garden, London Britain and Franklin Townships. The White Clay Creek bisects Landenberg. Landenberg falls into two school districts:...
, 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
Broad Run (White Clay Creek)
Broad Run is a tributary of White Clay Creek located principally in New Garden Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania in the United States.It rises at Kaolin, just south of Pennsylvania Route 41. Flowing southward, it enters a wide, deep valley. Between two hills east of Landenberg, Broad Run has...
shortly after entering the White Clay Creek Preserve
White Clay Creek Preserve
White Clay Creek Preserve is a Pennsylvania state park along the valley of White Clay Creek in London Britain Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park was donated by the DuPont Company in 1984 for the purpose of "preserving the diverse and unique plant and animal...
. It joins the main body of the White Clay Creek in the Preserve, at the lost community of Yeatman.
Middle Branch
The Middle Branch, 11.4 miles (18.3 km) long, originates in Londonderry TownshipLondonderry Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania
Londonderry Township is a township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,149 at the 2010 census.-History:Londonderry Township was officially created in 1734. It is named after the city of Londonderry then in Ireland but in present-day Northern Ireland...
. Flowing southward along the western edge of West Grove
West Grove, Pennsylvania
West Grove is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,854 at the 2010 census.-History:The village of West Grove derived its name from the Friends Meeting House on Harmony Road built in 1787 several miles west of the Friends Meeting House in the village of...
, 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, 8 miles (12.9 km) long, rises near Kelton and flows south and east through New London TownshipNew London Township, Pennsylvania
New London Township is a township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 5,631 at the 2010 census. It was the birthplace of U.S...
, gradually turning to the east where it meets the Middle Branch to form the main stem.
Main stem
The main stem of White Clay Creek is formed by the junction of the 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 PreserveWhite Clay Creek Preserve
White Clay Creek Preserve is a Pennsylvania state park along the valley of White Clay Creek in London Britain Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park was donated by the DuPont Company in 1984 for the purpose of "preserving the diverse and unique plant and animal...
and enters New Castle County, Delaware and White Clay Creek State Park
White Clay Creek State Park
White Clay Creek State Park is a Delaware state park along White Clay Creek on in New Castle County, Delaware in the United States. The park, often known by its initials W.C.C.S.P., is near the Mason-Dixon Line. North of the park is Pennsylvania's White Clay Creek Preserve...
approximately 12 miles (19.3 km) west of Wilmington
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
. Trails parallel the creek, some of them using parts of the Pomeroy & Newark roadbed, which follows the creek to the outskirts of Newark
Newark, Delaware
Newark is an American city in New Castle County, Delaware, west-southwest of Wilmington. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the city is 31,454. Newark is the home of the University of Delaware.- History :...
. The creek then turns away to the east, receiving Middle Run
Middle Run
Middle Run may refer to one of the following:*Middle Run, a creek in New Castle County, Delaware, east of downtown Newark, and a tributary of White Clay Creek*Middle Run Valley Natural Area in New Castle County, named after the creek which runs through it...
and Pike Creek. As it approaches the Christina estuary, the valley opens up, and it passes Delaware Park
Delaware Park (race track)
Delaware Park is an American horse racing track, casino, and golf course in Stanton, Delaware. It is located just outside the city of Wilmington, and about thirty miles from Philadelphia.-Thoroughbred racing:...
. Mill Creek
Mill Creek (White Clay Creek)
Mill Creek is a stream principally located in northern New Castle County, Delaware, a tributary of the White Clay Creek. It takes its name the large number of mills located along it during the 18th and early 19th centuries....
flows into it, shortly followed by its largest tributary, Red Clay Creek
Red Clay Creek
Red Clay Creek is a tributary of White Clay Creek in southeastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware in the United States.The East and West branches both rise in West Marlborough Township, Pennsylvania, near the hamlet of Upland, and flow south through Kennett Square before uniting just north of...
. 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
Hershey Run
Hershey Run is a stream located in New Castle County, Delaware. It is a tributary of White Clay Creek.It rises on the edge of the Belvedere subdivision on the outskirts of Newport, Delaware and flows southward along the western edge of that town. To the west of the run lies Bread and Cheese...
by a back channel now filled. Just after passing the island, White Clay Creek enters the Christina approximately 5 miles (8 km) southwest of Wilmington at Churchman's Marsh.
History and ecology
The river's historical sites include limeCalcium oxide
Calcium oxide , commonly known as quicklime or burnt lime, is a widely used chemical compound. It is a white, caustic, alkaline crystalline solid at room temperature....
kiln
Kiln
A kiln is a thermally insulated chamber, or oven, in which a controlled temperature regime is produced. Uses include the hardening, burning or drying of materials...
s and 19th century mills. Its lower course includes the most extensive Piedmont
Piedmont (United States)
The Piedmont is a plateau region located in the eastern United States between the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the main Appalachian Mountains, stretching from New Jersey in the north to central Alabama in the south. The Piedmont province is a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian division...
forests remaining in Delaware that are home to several key species, including the federally listed endangered bog turtle
Bog turtle
The bog turtle is a semiaquatic turtle endemic to the eastern United States. It was first scientifically described in 1801 after an 18th century survey of Pennsylvania. It is the smallest North American turtle, measuring about long when fully grown...
. In 2000, the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
designated 190 miles (305.8 km) of the river and its tributaries as part of the National Wild and Scenic River
National Wild and Scenic River
National Wild and Scenic River is a designation for certain protected areas in the United States.The National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was an outgrowth of the recommendations of a Presidential commission, the Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission...
program.