Brandywine Creek
New Castle Co. · 30 mi · Class I–III
260CFS/ 8.73 ft
Optimal→Stable
Optimal: 200–800 CFS · USGS #01481500
Length
Difficulty
Optimal
Avg Flow
Hist. Median
USGS Gauge
Brandywine Creek State Park · First State National Historical Park
Delaware's best paddling creek. The Brandywine flows through the rolling Wyeth country of the Brandywine Valley — Class I–III rapids over piedmont bedrock past historic du Pont estates, covered bridges, and the site of the Battle of Brandywine (1777). Andrew Wyeth painted these banks for six decades.
Trip sections
Chadds Ford PA to Wilmington — Class I–III, piedmont rapids
Wilmington to the Christina — Class I, tidal approach
Outfitters
Wilderness Canoe Trips
Brandywine Creek kayak and canoe rentals
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPSLoading forecast...
10-Year Flow Patterns
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Data Quality
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.