Christina River
New Castle Co. · 35 mi · Class I
15.1CFS/ 4.07 ft
Below Optimal
→Stable
Water temp: 51°F — Hypothermia risk, wear a drysuit
Optimal: 200–1000 CFS · USGS #01478000
⚡Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification·Know this river?
35 mi
Length
Class I
Difficulty
200–1000 cfs
Optimal
420 cfs
Avg Flow
380 cfs
Hist. Median
#01478000
USGS Gauge
First State Heritage Park · Wilmington Riverfront · Hagley Museum

The Christina River flows through the heart of Wilmington to its confluence with the Brandywine, passing the historic mill district where the du Pont family built their gunpowder empire. The tidal lower river offers gentle urban paddling past First State Heritage Park and the revitalized Wilmington Riverfront.

Trip sections
Newark to Wilmington — Class I, piedmont creek
Wilmington Riverfront — tidal, urban heritage paddle
Outfitters
Wilderness Canoe Trips
Christina and Brandywine Creek rentals
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPS
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Your Optimal Range
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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.