More Advice Needed on Air Draft at Wilkerson Creek Bridge, Alligator/Pungo Canal, AICW Statute Mile 126
Our most recent report on clearance at Wilkerson Creek Bridge is from experienced tall-master, Rick Dammeyer. Answers are needed for new questions from John Rahm. If you carry 64ft mast height and have passed under this bridge successfully (or not!?!), please let us hear from you.
Requesting insight on the Wilkerson Bridge at MM 125.9.
Are the clearance boards in tact?
What is the tidal range there?
Is there anyone close, that I can call, to check the clearance, before I leave Portsmouth?
Need the phone number of the closest house!
Thanks in advance. Moving a boat with a 63 foot mast.
Cheers, Captain John Rahm
Wondering about the height of the water at the Wilkerson Bridge and whether or not a boat with 64 ft mast will be able to get under the bridge.
Bill Combs
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Wilkerson Creek Bridge
Comments from Cruisers (3)
We just passed under this bridge on June 4, 2021 at midtide. Tide board read 64 + barnacles. We require 63.5 and the VHF antenna whipped the top with our passage.
The nominal air draft at the Wilkerson Bridge is 64 ft. There is negligible lunar tide in this area, but water depths will vary depending on wind speed and direction. Strong westerly or northwesterly winds will lower the water levels by up to 2 ft. Conversely, strong east or southeasterly winds across the Pamlico Sound will raise the water level and reduce bridge clearance.
Since the water level varies from day to day, the best thing to do is contact an approaching sailboat that has recently passed under the bridge and ask about conditions. If you are southbound, do that when still in the Alligator River, since there is no place to anchor in the Alligator River Cut to wait for a wind shift. If northbound, ask someone in the Belhaven/Dowrey Creek area so you can anchor in the Pungo River anchorage just south of the Wilkerson Bridge, if needed. The folks at Dowrey Creek Marina can also give you information about the current water depths in the area.
We just passed under this bridge on Friday May 12th without issue. We require 63 1/2′ clearance and had approximately 6″ to spare. Height board showed 64′.