Perch Creek Watershed
Watershed Description
Mid-Atlantic Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest in Perch Creek Watershed
Perch Creek watershed is one of the smallest watersheds in Delaware. This watershed is urbanizing with development between Glasgow, Delaware and Elkton, Maryland.
Watershed Area: 1,314 acres (532 hectares)
Location: Western New Castle County in northwestern Delaware between Big Elk Creek on the north and Back Creek on the south.
Flow Direction: West towards Elk River of the Chesapeake Bay.
Characteristics: Semi-urban watershed with rolling hills sloping towards the Chesapeake Bay.
Major Vegetation Communities/Land Covers
Mid-Atlantic Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest, a “natural community” type, is the largest vegetation community/land cover in the Perch Creek watershed. Development ranks cultivated lawn and impervious surface at #2 and #4, respectively. Agricultural field ranks as #3. Red Maple-Sweetgum Swamp finishes the list at #5.
| Perch Creek Watershed Vegetation Community/Land Covers (Top 5 for 2007) | ||
| Vegetation Community/Land Cover | Acres | Hectares |
| Mid-Atlantic Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest | 353.00 | 143.00 |
| Cultivated Lawn | 300.00 | 121.00 |
| Agricultural Field | 172.00 | 70.00 |
| Impervious Surface | 127.00 | 51.00 |
| Red Maple-Sweetgum Swamp | 77.00 | 31.00 |
*The table above is subject to change with more watershed mapping.
Managed Lands
- None
Links of Interest
Vegetation Community/Land Cover Maps Available
One vegetation community/land cover map based on 2007 aerial imagery is available in .pdf format. The map is in the process of completion and is provided “as is” for informational purposes. Email robcoxe@baccharisconsulting.com for shapefile requests.