Dismal Swamp Canal Opening Delayed until End of October, South Mills, NC, AICW Alternate Route
The Dismal Swamp Canal has been closed to navigation since Hurricane Matthew and now Irma. This delay will certainly disappoint many cruisers in the annual Fall Migration. Dredge work to remove shoaling will continue and, hopefully, the Canal will reopen as stated below. The Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center has remained open to highway travelers and the Dismal Swamp State Park, a part of the NC State Park System and A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is also open and their programs are ongoing. See /166410.
News below, regarding our reopening of the historic Dismal Swamp Canal. Unfortunately, there will be a delay. We will advise you of information as it is released. Of course, we are disappointed and realize there are many needs in many areas right now and our thoughts are with them. We look forward to seeing our boaters when the canal can reopen.
Donna Stewart, Director
Dismal Swamp Welcome Center
2356 US Hwy 17N
South Mills, NC 27976
Phone – 252-771-8333
www.DismalSwampWelcomeCenter.com
Bird, Bike, Hike…..take in the sights!
All e-mails sent from this computer are subject to the Public Records Law and the information contained therein is a public record.
Sent: Friday, September 15, 2017 3:56 AM
To: Solan, Kerry L CIV USARMY CENAO (US)
Subject: Officials to delay opening Dismal Swamp Canal until end of October
NORFOLK, Va. – Officials at the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have delayed reopening the Dismal Swamp Canal until late October.
“Recent weather events have delayed progress, and the latest condition survey of Turners Cut showed that additional dredging was needed,” said Keith Lockwood, Norfolk District Operations Branch chief.
In August, the Norfolk District announced the canal would re-open at the end of September.
Officials closed the canal in October 2016 after Hurricane Matthew toppled more than 350 trees into the waterway, and sediment – washed into the canal from rain and flooding – created extensive shoaling along the 22 miles of the canal, the Deep Creek Channel and Turners Cut Channel. Since then, crews have cleared trees and dredged the canal, which, in places, was at a depth of 1 foot.
“In the history of the canal, we’ve never had this issue, and we’re using every available resource to make the canal safe again for vessels,” said Joel Scussel, Norfolk District Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway project manager.
Kerry L. Solan
Public Affairs
Norfolk District, USACE
Desk 757-201-7258
Cell 757-377-0040
Be the first to comment!