The Christina River Is An Iconic Part of Delaware's Remarkable Landscape
By Kim Magaraci|Published January 06, 2021
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Kim Magaraci
Author
Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com
The story of the Christina River shows why conservation is important and highlights some beautiful Delaware scenery. Though it isn’t a particularly long river, in its 35 miles it crosses a huge portion of the First State. From its rise in Chester County, Pennsylvania, it winds into Cecil County, Maryland, and then back into Delaware through Newark, Newport, the edge of the White Clay Creek area, the tips of the Brandywine Valley, and finally into the Delaware River at the Port of Wilmington.
As the Christina River winds down through New Castle County, it creates a beautiful scene that any nature lover can appreciate. It's truly a wild body of water that's shaped Delaware history.
The river was the first part of the state settled by Europeans, and you can even see a replica of the schooner, the Kalmar Nyckle, that brought the first Swedish immigrants to their new home.
Today, the river is a busy waterway with a history of connecting the Brandywine Valley to the outside world, via the ports and docks of the city of Wilmington, and the way that it flows into the Delaware River.
While the most iconic views of the Christina River are along the Wilmington riverwalk and waterfront. The river walk is a great place to spend a warm day outdoors!
Over the years, the Christina River has gone from an extremely contaminated body of water to one that's been restored and rejuvenated, and now it's a place of recreation for many Delawareans.
The story of the river is one of resilience and natural beauty, and thanks to the efforts of so many, we'll be able to enjoy this river for years to come.