The Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Council Wicomico River

The Wicomico River

View of the Wicomico River from the White Haven Ferry

There are two working ferries on the Wicomico River--Upper Ferry and Whitehaven Ferry. These two-car cable ferries give passengers a short ride to the opposite bank and a pleasant opportunity to observe this beautiful, busy waterway. The City of Salisbury is at the head of navigation and the Wicomico has brought commerce to it for the past 250 years. In 1994 1,154,200 tons were shipped along the Wicomico with an estimated value of $217 million.

The Wicomico is popular with recreational boaters--canoes, kayaks and outboards skim its waters. Barge and tug traffic is common as well. One will always see people fishing, from boats, docks, bridges and along the banks. Wherever a line can be cast, folks are luring bass, crappie, catfish, and white perch onto their hooks.

The river is tidal fresh from Salisbury to Upper Ferry. Its waters become brackish as they pass the Ferry and make their way to the Cheapeake Bay.

Sources: Exploring the Cheaspeake in Small Boats, John Page Williams, Jr. (Tidewater Publishers, 1992)
Delmarva Water Transport Committee, Inc., Newsletter, First Quarter 1995

Find out more about the Wicomico River.