How clean is the Delaware Bay?

The waters of the Inland Bays and Delaware Bay may contain organisms that could be harmful to one's health, particularly for persons with certain medical conditions or compromised immune systems. Swimming could result in an increased risk of rashes, infections or gastrointestinal distress.



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While the entire tidal river is part of the estuary, salinity levels vary from the Delaware Bay (saltwater) to Wilmington, Del. (brackish) to Philadelphia, Pa. and Trenton, N.J. (mostly freshwater).

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At its deepest parts, Delaware Bay ranges in depth from 26 feet to 148 feet deep. At its widest point, the bay is about 25 miles wide but narrows to 11 miles wide at the entrance.

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The waters of the Inland Bays and Delaware Bay may contain organisms that could be harmful to one's health, particularly for persons with certain medical conditions or compromised immune systems. Swimming could result in an increased risk of rashes, infections or gastrointestinal distress.

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For swimming, walking, playing, reading or snoozing on the beach, the Delaware Bay's beaches strongly rival any ocean beach. Here you'll find quiet, beautiful, and uncrowded beaches.

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The Bay supports the world's largest freshwater port system, approximately 3,000 vessels a year, and is the largest receiving center for crude oil, steel, paper, and meat imports. Fort Delaware is on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Certainly, not all waterways are swimmable even in 2019, but they are much cleaner. Some portions of the Delaware are swimmable based on bacteria levels. Other portions are not, including where the teens gathered near the defunct Pier 18, also known as Graffiti Pier.

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Salt in Our Water — Saltwater Intrusion and Inundation in Delaware. It happens more frequently when it hasn't rained for a while, usually in the summer. People will call the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to report a salty taste in their water.

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Two of the state's most popular beaches – Rehoboth and Dewey – were again awarded 5-star ratings as Superstar Beaches for their perfect swimming water quality for the past four years. They were two of only 13 Superstar Beaches so designated by the NRDC among beaches of the coastal states.

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The Delaware Bay is bordered by the states of New Jersey & Delaware and reached depths of more than 150ft.

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Delaware Seashore The main attraction for many visitors is swimming and sunbathing along the park's spectacular beaches. Two ocean swimming areas feature modern bathhouses with showers and changing rooms. Lifeguards patrol the beaches from 9 am to 5 pm daily between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day.

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While the entire tidal river is part of the estuary, salinity levels vary from the Delaware Bay (saltwater) to Wilmington, Del. (brackish) to Philadelphia, Pa. and Trenton, N.J. (mostly freshwater).

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The Delaware Bay hosts the world's largest concentrations of spawning horseshoe crabs.

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