Appoquinimink River Water Trail

Do you wonder how many people in the watershed know that there is an Appoquinimink River or that they live in the Appoquinimink watershed?  Many residents and visitors enjoy fishing, canoeing and kayaking on the river, and there are probably just as many or more who like to do these things, but never think much about the opportunity they have in their own community.  For these reasons, the Appoquinimink Tributary Action Team is in the preliminary stages of exploring the idea of creating a water trail for the Appoquinimink River.

What is a water trail?

Water trails are small boat and paddling routes that combine recreation and conservation on waterways.  These aquatic trails provide access to rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, and coastlines.

These waterways were the highways of early explorers and residents. Historically, log dugouts, bark canoes, flatboats, and sailing vessels used waterways to link coastal settlements and to penetrate the roadless interior.  With the opening of better land-based travel routes, water trails declined until only the major rivers and lakes remained accessible, and then mostly for commercial traffic.

Modern water trails are designed to create educational, scenic, and challenging experiences for recreational boating enthusiasts, combined with creative ways to provide small-boat launches and shore access, maintain wilderness character, limit road access, and promote careful use.  More significantly, they encourage low-impact use and a strong sense of stewardship.  The result is greater care for the waters and lands along the trails and less need for official policing and regulation.

Water trails are developed and maintained by local volunteers with the help of public officials and private landowners, all of whom promote the proper use and maintenance of the trails and their adjacent resources.

Water trails are important because they serve the public interest in a variety of ways. Revitalizing waterways and adjacent communities, they foster self-discovery, help build skills and healthy lifestyles, and provide educational opportunities in many subjects, especially those related to the natural sciences and history. 

Water trails link past and present, people and prosperity, conservation and recreation.  By bringing people to the water, they promote knowledge and the concern that nurtures caring, protection and conservation.  The trails build a water-lovers community.  According to the National Park Service, “for communities across the country, water trails are a flexible and responsive tool for promoting a healthy economy and a high quality of life while preserving our natural and cultural heritage.”

An Appoquinimink River Trail

A water trail along the Appoquinimink River would allow small boaters easier access to the river and give more people the opportunity to gain a different perspective of the river and the remaining natural areas in the community.  As people become more aware of the natural assets in the Appoquinimink watershed, we hope that they will want to further improve and protect it.

Restoring this boat ramp is one way of improving a current access point.

The Appoquinimink River Trail will consist of a few good entry and exit points for kayaking or canoeing up or down the river.   Along with signage about navigating currents and tides, river goers will learn about the hydrological, geographical, and biological features of the waterways. David Bartoo of DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation and Cortney Worrall of the Appoquinimink Tributary Action Team have toured the area and are currently working to identify better upstream access and ways to improve downstream access points.

We need some volunteers!

If you or anyone you know is interested in helping, please contact Cortney Worrall. There are many immediate opportunities to help.  Cortney is also interested in hearing feedback from anyone with questions, comments, and, in particular, andy concerns about this potential project.

For more information about water trails, visit the National Park Services Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program or North American Water Trails.