Mispillion River

Mispillion River
The Mispillion River in Milford in 2006
Location of the mouth of the Mispillion River
Location
CountryUnited States
StateDelaware
CountiesKent
Sussex
Physical characteristics
Sourceconfluence of Beaverdam and Tantrough Branches at Blairs Pond
 • locationnear Milford
 • coordinates38°52′53″N 75°30′00″W / 38.88139°N 75.50000°W / 38.88139; -75.50000
 • elevation29 ft (8.8 m)
MouthDelaware Bay
 • location
near Mispillion Light
 • coordinates
38°57′05″N 75°18′48″W / 38.95139°N 75.31333°W / 38.95139; -75.31333
 • elevation
0 ft (0 m)
Length15 mi (24 km)approximately
Basin size76 sq mi (200 km2)
Discharge 
 • average91.77 cu ft/s (2.599 m3/s) at mouth with Delaware Bay
Basin features
ProgressionDelaware BayAtlantic Ocean
River systemDelaware Bay
Tributaries 
 • leftBeaverdam Branch
Lednum Branch
Mullet Run
Swan Creek
Fishing Branch
Beaverdam Branch
Kings Causeway Branch
Crooked Gut
 • rightTantrough Branch
Johnson Branch
Bowman Branch
Deep Branch
WaterbodiesBlairs Pond
Griffith Lake
Haven Lake
Silver Lake

The Mispillion River is a river flowing to Delaware Bay in southern Delaware in the United States. It is approximately 15 miles (24 km) long and drains an area of 76 square miles (200 km2) on the Atlantic Coastal Plain.

It rises in northern Sussex County, approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) southwest of Milford, and flows generally east-northeastwardly, defining the boundary between Sussex and Kent counties; it passes through the center of Milford on its course to its mouth at Delaware Bay, 16 miles (26 km) northwest of Cape Henlopen. The lower 12 miles (19 km) of the river are considered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to be navigable.

A boardwalk known as the Mispillion Riverwalk follows the river in Milford. As of 2003, an effort was underway to preserve a greenway along the river upstream and downstream of Milford.