In 2017, the nonprofit Delaware Center for the Inland Bays produced a report on the health of several Sussex County estuaries. One of those studied was Dirickson Creek on Little Assawoman Bay. The report found that Dirickson Creek was impaired, by state and federal standards. That term found in the Clean Water Act meant that concentrations of dissolved nitrogen and bacteria recorded at the Old Mill Bridge monitoring station on the creek meant it failed to meet quality standards 75% of the time. Impaired also meant that it is not safe for fishing, drinking, bathing – basically anything involving humans.
The report did clearly state that actions needed to improve the water quality were limiting developed areas adjacent to the creek, and protecting the forests along the shoreline. The last eight years have brought more new communities surrounding the creek and the elimination of the few legacy trees remaining in that area.
Most recently, DNREC has been asked to approve a 24-slip marina to be built near the Old Mill Bridge for the new community Bridgewater Estates. The water in this area is (more often than not) 1 foot deep. This was not in the original approval for that development, and despite opposition to the proposal, it received preliminary approval a few months ago. There is to be another hearing in September.
Will this be the tipping point for Dirickson Creek? The Inland Bays and this creek can be healthy again, but as the CIB study concludes: "It will take people, towns, communities and public officials to work together as though our quality of life here depends on it. Because it does."
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