Just in time for summer, two new water trails have been launched in the Chesapeake region. Both trace the historic routes of Captain John Smith, an English explorer who played a pivotal role in the exploration and settlement of the eastern United States. His leadership at Jamestown, his contacts with Chesapeake Indians and his Chesapeake Bay voyages — documented in maps and journals — helped ensure the success of early English colonization efforts.
In Virginia, the newChickahominy Watertrail travels through some of the state’s most pristine landscapes. You can re-discover the environment as John Smith knew it – experiencing both the natural splendor and the rich Native culture of the region. Explore tidal marshes and rare Bald Cypress swamps, while searching for wildlife along the shores. Check out the new map and guide for the trail, which marks all the public access points, places you can launch a boat, (some are soft launches – not appropriate for larger craft) along the river.
In just a few weeks, the Nanticoke Watertrail will also be a reality. Stretching approximately 26 miles through Sussex County, Delaware, the Trail begins at Seashore Highway above the city of Seaford and follows the mainstem of the Nanticoke River to the Maryland State Line. Draining almost 318,000 acres in Kent and Sussex counties, the upper reach of the Nanticoke River Watershed covers approximately 25% of Delaware’s land area. It is one of the healthiest and most ecologically diverse rivers on the Delmarva Peninsula, with landscapesranging from thick forests to salt marshes. Plenty of animals live along the water too, including rare species like the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel and the highest concentration of Bald Eagles in the Northeastern United States – so be sure to bring binculars when you head out on the river.
Saturday June 10th will mark the official launch of the Trail as part of the 16th Annual Riverfest in Seaford, DE. At 2pm on the Nanticoke River Bridge, a dedication ceremony will take place. You don’t want to miss this exciting event, marking a new phase in the developoment of the country’s first National Water Trail. There is also a canoe and kayak challenge as part of the Festival, so check out information on that too.
