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Brandywine Creek, DE

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Thompson Bridge Road to Market Street

Class III
8 Miles
Avg Gradient 20 fpm

Brandywine Creek @ Brecks Mill


Brandywine Creek @ Brecks Mill
Photo of Breck's Mill 13' by Bill Theilacker @ 13'

Gauge Information

Brandywine Creek
Thompson Bridge Road to Market Street III
med
2.83
7/24 22:30
[detail]

Min Sug. Level:  2 ft Max Sug. Level:  4 ft

River Description

The Brandywine drops over the fall line on this very historic stretch. Unfortunately, the vibe is spoiled by 12 dams, many of which need to be portaged.

Put in at the Brandywine State Park access on Rockland Rd. The first 1.5 miles are attractive flatwater with the Brandywine State Park on your right and Woodlawn Conservancy property on your left.

As you approach Rockland, there is a jagged sloping dam which can be run. I'd say it's about a 5 foot drop. There used to be a polluted paper mill here that has been rehabilitated into condos. You can also put in here.

After Rockland, you enter the Hagley Museum property, birthplace of the Dupont company. An incredible display of 19th century hydropower surrounds you, including dams, spillways, canals, the remains of gunpowder mills, and waterwheels and turbines that are still operational. Unfortunately the Hagley people are pretty paranoid so pull over in these beautiful surroundings at your own risk.

Continue into Wilmington and take out at Market St. downtown. About half of the dams on this section are sloping and runnable, the rest are vertical and dangerous. Maryland and Delaware Canoe Trails, Ed Gertler can give you further information about this reach.
StreamTeam Status: verified
Last Updated: 2005-12-12 22:50:21