These maps, a product provided by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), show the approximate boundaries and classifications of Delaware wetlands as interpreted from leaf-off color infrared aerial photography (1992, 2007, 2017). Statewide wetland maps are used for local and regional site-specific planning and management purposes, and allow for status and trends assessments provide information on the type, amount, location and causes of wetland changes. Wetlands mapping utilizes a standardized wetlands classification scheme which was adapted from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wetlands Inventory (Cowardin, et al. 1979, and 2016 revision for 2017 data). The 1992 data was created by DNREC under contract with Photoscience, Inc. and Environmental Resource, Inc., and in partnership with the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI). The 2007 and 2017 map data we created by DNREC and completed under contract with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and University, Conservation Management Institute, and in coordination with NWI. Methods used meet or exceed NWI procedures and the guidelines of the Federal Geographic Data Committee's Wetland Mapping Standard (document FGDC-STD-015-2009). The 2017 wetlands are identified at a minimum mapping unit of .25 acres with smaller, highly recognizable polygons (e.g., ponds) mapped down to approximately 0.10 acres. Photo interpreters (PIs) identified the wetland targets at a scale of approximately to 1:10,000 with delineations completed at 1:5,000 and, occasionally, larger as necessary. The 2017 mapping used the NWI 2.0 guidelines which incorporate hydrography spatial data (National Hydrography Dataset – NHD) along with wetlands data.

2007 Head of Tide wetlands are those salt and freshwater wetlands that have water influenced by the tides and is derived/extracted from the overall 2007 wetland data.

2017 High Marsh and Low marsh are wetland polygons identified as either High or Low marsh for the purposes of beginning to track these two estuarine wetland types in response to climate change.

2017 High Water Mark is an attempt to depict the high water line along coastal areas.

These maps, a product provided by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), show the approximate boundaries and classifications of Delaware wetlands as interpreted from leaf-off color infrared aerial photography (1992, 2007, 2017). Statewide wetland maps are used for local and regional site-specific planning and management purposes, and allow for status and trends assessments providing information on the type, amount, location and causes of wetland changes. Wetlands mapping utilizes a standardized wetlands classification scheme which was adapted from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wetlands Inventory (Cowardin, et al. 1979, and 2016 revision for 2017 data). The 1992 data was created by DNREC under contract with Photoscience, Inc. and Environmental Resource, Inc., and in partnership with the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI). The 2007 and 2017 map data was created by DNREC and completed under contract with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and University, Conservation Management Institute, and in coordination with NWI. Methods used meet or exceed NWI procedures and the guidelines of the Federal Geographic Data Committee's Wetland Mapping Standard (document FGDC-STD-015-2009). The 2017 wetlands are identified at a minimum mapping unit of .25 acres with smaller, highly recognizable polygons (e.g., ponds) mapped down to approximately 0.10 acres. Photo interpreters identified the wetland targets at a scale of approximately to 1:10,000 with delineations completed at 1:5,000 and, occasionally, larger as necessary. The 2017 mapping used the NWI 2.0 guidelines which incorporate hydrography spatial data (National Hydrography Dataset – NHD) along with wetlands data.

2007 Head of Tide wetlands are those salt and freshwater wetlands that have water influenced by the tides and is derived/extracted from the overall 2007 wetland data.

2017 High Marsh and Low marsh are wetland polygons identified as either High or Low marsh for the purposes of beginning to track these two estuarine wetland types in response to climate change.

2017 High Water Mark is an attempt to depict the high water line along coastal areas.