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Delaware | New Castle County / Delaware City and Augustine Beach shoreline

Delaware RiverFort DuPont Branch Canal to Augustine Beach

An advanced tidal and open-water Delaware River planning reach from the public Fort DuPont launch context through the Branch Canal to the public Augustine Beach ramp.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceApproximately 6 tidal/open-water miles from Fort DuPont through the Branch Canal and lower Delaware River to Augustine Beach; actual line varies with channel choice, tide, and access conditions
DifficultyHard
Typical time3–5 hours depending on tide
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Delaware River at a USGS monitoring station, used as same-river context for the Delaware Fort DuPont to Augustine Beach route.
Route photoDelaware River same-river context for the Fort DuPont to Augustine Beach planning reachPhoto by U.S. Geological Survey

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceApproximately 6 tidal/open-water miles from Fort DuPont through the Branch Canal and lower Delaware River to Augustine Beach; actual line varies with channel choice, tide, and access conditionsFort DuPont Branch Canal to Augustine Beach
DifficultyhardThe route includes a Branch Canal transition and broad tidal main-stem/open-water exposure rather than whitewater. Wind-against-tide chop, wakes, commercial traffic, cold water, limited bailout, difficult shorelines, and a committed take-out make it an advanced trip.
ShuttleCar shuttleUse a two-vehicle shuttle or arrange a lawful pickup at Augustine Beach before launching. Confirm both facilities’ hours, parking, ramp sharing, gate status, dredging/maintenance notices, and the exact carry and landing. Keep a conservative alternate plan only if an official open facility is confirmed; do not improvise a shoreline take-out.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow current Delaware tidal-access inventory, DNREC boating/PFD and water-quality guidance, Fish & Wildlife ramp and vehicle-access rules, Coast Guard navigation/security notices, NOAA marine advisories, tide/water-level information, local parking rules, and posted closures. No route-specific paddle permit is claimed.
CampingDay tripNo on-route camping is claimed. Public ramps, Fort DuPont, Augustine Beach, marsh shoreline, private waterfront, and industrial frontage do not create overnight camping or mooring rights; use separately reserved lodging or a designated campground nearby.
SeasonMay-OctLate spring through fall is the practical planning season, but warm-season timing does not remove cold-water, wind, tide, commercial-traffic, or visibility hazards. Check NOAA tide/water levels, marine forecasts, small-craft advisories, recent weather, daylight, water quality, and both ramps immediately before launch.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

Waiting on forecast.

WeekendChecking

Waiting on forecast.

Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

An advanced Delaware-only tidal/open-water day route with a Branch Canal launch transition, two state-listed public ramp facilities, hard weather and traffic controls, and no informal shoreline camping posture.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Fort DuPont Branch Canal public boat ramp
Open mapDirections to put-in

The state inventory establishes public facilities but does not guarantee paddlecraft access, available parking, open gates, a launch-ready wetted edge, or a safe landing on the travel date.

Finish

Take-out

Augustine Beach public boat ramp
Open mapDirections to take-out

Fort DuPont is described by DNREC as a Branch Canal launch context. Confirm the route from the ramp to the Delaware River rather than treating the facility coordinate as a direct main-stem landing.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • The state inventory establishes public facilities but does not guarantee paddlecraft access, available parking, open gates, a launch-ready wetted edge, or a safe landing on the travel date.
  • Fort DuPont is described by DNREC as a Branch Canal launch context. Confirm the route from the ramp to the Delaware River rather than treating the facility coordinate as a direct main-stem landing.
  • Augustine Beach has periodic dredging and maintenance closures. A closed or unsafe Augustine finish stops the trip; do not substitute Collins Beach, Delaware Bay shoreline, New Jersey, or an unmarked bank without a separate review.

Watch for

  • NOAA Delaware City station 8551762 tide and water-level information, NWS marine forecast and small-craft advisories, wind-against-tide chop, visibility, daylight, and cold-water exposure
  • USGS 01482170 Delaware River at New Castle gage-height proxy, local current, wakes, commercial traffic, marked channels, dredging, floating debris, shoals, riprap, bulkheads, and difficult shorelines
  • Fort DuPont Branch Canal exit, Augustine Beach closure or maintenance notices, parking, gate status, ramp sharing, exact waterline, lawful landing, shuttle, and a hard no-launch decision when any endpoint or weather condition is uncertain

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

Trip schedule

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Gauge detail

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Gauge

Recent trend

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Next 8 hours

Short-route forecast

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Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

The Delaware River at a USGS monitoring station, used as same-river context for the Delaware Fort DuPont to Augustine Beach route.
Delaware River same-river context for the Fort DuPont to Augustine Beach planning reachPhoto by U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Geological Survey station image

Sources

Data and sources

Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.

NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Named moving-water corridorFort DuPont Branch Canal through the Delaware River to Augustine Beach

    The current Delaware tidal-access inventory lists both facilities as public boat ramps approximately five miles apart. The route is bounded to Delaware endpoints and explicitly includes the Fort DuPont Branch Canal transition; it does not claim an open Delaware Bay or interstate extension.

    Source

  • Authoritative public endpoint evidenceFort DuPont three-ramp facility and Augustine Beach two-ramp facility

    Delaware’s current access inventory identifies both facilities as public boat ramps. DNREC’s waterways and wildlife-area materials provide managed-access context; current ramp condition, paddlecraft carry, gate, parking, and waterline still require field verification.

    Source

  • Proxy tidal-flow evidenceUSGS 01482170 Delaware River at New Castle, DE, with NOAA Delaware City tide/water-level context

    The USGS station is retained as clearly labeled nearby tidal gage-height proxy context. Use NOAA tide/water levels, marine forecasts, local wind/current, and visual conditions; no universal numeric paddling cutoff is transferred.

    Source

  • Route-specific access and safety guidanceDNREC Fort DuPont Branch Canal context, Augustine Beach wildlife-area access map, dredging notices, NOAA tide/water levels, and NWS marine forecasts

    Fort DuPont is a canal-entry launch context, Augustine Beach is closure-sensitive, and the broad main stem requires advanced tidal/open-water planning for wind, current, commercial traffic, wakes, cold water, and visibility.

    Source

  • Camping postureNearby basecamp only

    No overnight use of either ramp, the Branch Canal, river shoreline, wildlife areas, private waterfront, or industrial frontage is claimed.

    Source

  • Approved route imageryUSGS Delaware River station image used as same-river context

    Approved same-river USGS imagery supplies route context only; it does not certify current access, channel condition, tide, traffic, weather, or endpoint landing.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

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Delaware route guideBrowse every tracked Delaware route.New Castle County / Delaware City and Augustine Beach shorelineJump to routes in this region.

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Quick answers

Delaware River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Fort DuPont Branch Canal to Augustine Beach route on the Delaware River?

This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.

Where does the Fort DuPont Branch Canal to Augustine Beach route on the Delaware River start and end?

This route starts at Fort DuPont Branch Canal public boat ramp and ends at Augustine Beach public boat ramp, Approximately 6 tidal/open-water miles from Fort DuPont through the Branch Canal and lower Delaware River to Augustine Beach; actual line varies with channel choice, tide, and access conditions on the water.

Is the Fort DuPont Branch Canal to Augustine Beach route on the Delaware River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a hard route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.

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