Blind Pass - Click for Chartview

Blind Pass runs between Captiva and Sanibel Islands connecting the Gulf to Wulfert Channel and Pine Island Sound. This cut has been all but naturally closed for years now. I find it curious that the state of Florida is going to reopen this seaward cut by way of dredging. Undoubtedly, a new inlet in this region will be a boon for (text corrected 1/25/13) SMALL craft operating in the Sanibel Island – Captiva Island – Pine Island Sound region, but I do wonder how long depths will last between dredging projects.

FLORIDA-GULF INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY-ESTERO BAY TO LEMON BAY-BLIND PASS: Dredging Operations.
Florida Dredge & Dock LLC will commence dredging operations on or about February 10, 2013. Hydraulic dredging operations will be performed in Blind Pass, Florida. The dredge `ROCK POINT’ and work boats Path Finder and Naple will monitor channels 13, 16 and working channel 71 the Dredge cell (727) 480-5074. Pipeline and vessels will be visibly lighted. Floating rubber and submerged polyethylene pipeline is associated with the operation. The pipeline will traverse southerly directly from the Wulfert Channel dredging area to designated beach fill location. All dredging
operations will be on the east side landward of Blind Pass Bridge. Operations will be from 6:00am to 7:00pm Monday through Sunday (7-days per week) with an approximate completion date of April 15, 2013. For further information contact the Project Manager, Mr. Prasong Buranakitipinyo at (727) 942-7888 or cell (904) 451-3216. Mariners are urged to minimize wake and proceed with caution after passing arrangements have been made. Chart 11427

Boon to cruisers? There’s a 7 foot fixed bridge across this channel. Have crossed it for years. Another Charley and badaboom no more channel ‘“ – again.
Chris

There is really no access here for any other than flats-style boats, or those without fixed T-tops’¦ the 7 foot clearance is just that. However, one benefit for the area is increased water flow into Pine Island Sound, which is bound to help water quality and overall fishing.
This inlet was dredged a few years ago, and the information at the time showed a contract for maintenance dredging, which will have to take place every few years. Curiously, the inlet was reasonable stable for many years (my experience goes back 18 years or so) until Lee County decided to place a jetty along the northern edge of the inlet, which is Lee County jurisdiction (Captiva Island). Unfortunately, the city of Sanibel, in their infinite environmental reasoning, refused to allow a companion jetty on their (south) side, thus dooming the channel to continual silting-in due to the along-shore littoral drift. Go figure. An open inlet, reasonably stable, would benefit the entire area’s environment’¦ but Sanibel believes in a `natural’ beach, and thus no south jetty, and taxpayer money continually wasted on dredging.
Capt. Mike Smith

Blind Pass Dredging

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