Blackbird Creek

The Blackbird Creek watershed drains a portion of southern New Castle County roughly 31 square miles. Blackbird Creek flows into the Delaware River just upstream from Delaware Bay.

The Blackbird Creek Watershed is dominated by forest, wetlands and agriculture.

The nutrient and bacteria TMDLs for the Blackbird Creek Watershed require 40% reductions in phosphorus and nitrogen loads and 80% reduction in bacteria loads. The designated uses for the Blackbird Creek include primary recreation, secondary recreation, fish, aquatic life and wildlife, industrial water supply, and agricultural water supply in freshwater segments.

The Blackbird Creek Watershed has a total of three sites listed in the Site Investigation and Restoration Section database. Two are sites have undergone a preliminary assessment / site inspection (PA/SI) and one is a state-fund lead (HSCA) sites.

Each of the sites is sampled through the programs listed above for a consistent suite of environmental contaminants. These contaminants are broadly classified as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs), Pesticides, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Metals as listed using USEPA and DNREC defined standards. When sites are adjacent to water bodies sediment samples are collected to assess potential impact from a site on the health of the waters.

If you would like to view reports for any of the sites in the SIRS program please follow the link the DNREC Environmental Navigator to search by map for the Blackbird Creek Watershed.

The Blackbird Creek Reserve provides many recreational opportunities within the watershed. The Reserve boasts several miles of trails through upland and marsh areas, a canoe/kayak launch, restoration demonstration areas as well as a variety of programs and volunteer opportunities. The Reserve also supports ongoing research and monitoring, field studies, citizen monitoring programs, and training opportunities. Limited hunting is allowed on the Reserve by permit. The Blackbird State Forest, located on the border of New Castle and Kent counties, is the northernmost state forest. It has 40 miles of trails that are used for hiking, cross country skiing, running, bicycling, and horseback riding. There is also a 2,200 foot paved nature trail designed for wheelchair accessibility. The trail system connects 5 primitive campsites and four picnic areas. Blackbird State Forest is also open to hunting and catch and release fishing by perimt.

Delaware Bay and Estuary Assessment Report

Blackbird Creek Watershed Proposed TMDLs

Forest Service State Forests

Blackbird Creek Reserve