Killcohook National Wildlife Refuge
Encyclopedia
Killcohook National Wildlife Refuge (founded as Killcohook Migratory Bird Refuge) was a National Wildlife Refuge
located on the east bank of the Delaware River
adjacent to the current Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
. It had originally been established in 1934 as a secondary sludge disposal site for use by the Army Corps of Engineers. Its status as a refuge was revoked in 1998 by the U.S. Congress and it is currently used as a confined disposal facility by the U.S. Corps of Engineers
.
. As outlined by the Twelve-Mile Circle, a colonial era agreement, Killcohook is one of two places in Delaware
that shares a land border with New Jersey
, called Finn's Point. Since the border was originally defined as being along the low water mark on the New Jersey shore of the river the land of the site created reclamation
falls within Delaware territory.
The former wildlife refuge is north of the Fort Mott State Park and south of Pennsville, New Jersey. Across the Delaware River
are Ommelanden Range near Bear, Delaware
and Delaware City
. Fort Delaware State Park
on Pea Patch Island
lies between the two shores.
.
National Wildlife Refuge
National Wildlife Refuge is a designation for certain protected areas of the United States managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the world's premiere system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife and plants...
located on the east bank of the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
adjacent to the current Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
The Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is part of the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge. A component of the Delaware River estuary in Salem County, New Jersey, it just north the Salem River and south of Pennsville....
. It had originally been established in 1934 as a secondary sludge disposal site for use by the Army Corps of Engineers. Its status as a refuge was revoked in 1998 by the U.S. Congress and it is currently used as a confined disposal facility by the U.S. Corps of Engineers
United States Army Corps of Engineers
The United States Army Corps of Engineers is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 38,000 civilian and military personnel, making it the world's largest public engineering, design and construction management agency...
.
Geography
The former refuge is part of New Castle County, DelawareNew Castle County, Delaware
New Castle County is the northernmost of the three counties of the U.S. state of Delaware. As of 2010 its population was 538,479, an increase of 7.6% over the previous decade. The county seat is Wilmington. The center of population of Delaware is located in New Castle County, in the town of...
. As outlined by the Twelve-Mile Circle, a colonial era agreement, Killcohook is one of two places in Delaware
Delaware
Delaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
that shares a land border with New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, called Finn's Point. Since the border was originally defined as being along the low water mark on the New Jersey shore of the river the land of the site created reclamation
Land reclamation
Land reclamation, usually known as reclamation, is the process to create new land from sea or riverbeds. The land reclaimed is known as reclamation ground or landfill.- Habitation :...
falls within Delaware territory.
The former wildlife refuge is north of the Fort Mott State Park and south of Pennsville, New Jersey. Across the Delaware River
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
are Ommelanden Range near Bear, Delaware
Bear, Delaware
Bear is a census-designated place in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. The population was 17,593 at the 2000 census.Originally a small crossroads in a rural area south of Wilmington, the area supported small farms growing mainly corn and cattle...
and Delaware City
Delaware City, Delaware
Delaware City is a city in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. The population was 1,695 at the 2010 census. It is a small port town on the eastern terminus of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and is the location of the ferry to Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island.-Geography:Delaware City is...
. Fort Delaware State Park
Fort Delaware State Park
Fort Delaware State Park is a Delaware state park on Pea Patch Island in New Castle County, Delaware, in the United States. A fortress was built on Pea Patch Island by the United States Army in 1815, near the conclusion of the War of 1812, to protect the harbors of Wilmington, Delaware and...
on Pea Patch Island
Pea Patch Island
Pea Patch Island is a small island, approximately 1 mi long, in the U.S. state of Delaware, located in the mid channel of the Delaware River near its entrance into Delaware Bay. It is a low, marshy island, located in New Castle County, facing Delaware City on the Delaware shore, and Finns Point on...
lies between the two shores.
Wildlife
Killcohook NWR consisted primarily of marshland, with emphasis on breeding of migratory waterfowl. Species singled out for protection in Killcohook include the American Black DuckAmerican Black Duck
The American Black Duck is a large dabbling duck. American Black Ducks are similar to Mallards in size, and resemble the female Mallard in coloration, although the Black Duck's plumage is darker...
.