This troublesome stretch lies at the intersections of the Brickhill River, Crooked River and the Waterway.The report and advice offered below come from our good friend, Chuck Baier, an experienced and skillful cruiser, is the former General Manager of Waterway Guide, and now authors an informative newsletter for our good friends at MarinaLife.

This is another example of how easy it is to get into trouble following a plotter and not paying close attention to where you are. At the section of the ICW known as Cumberland Dividings at Statute Mile 704, just near where the southern end of the Brickhill River meets the ICW behind Cumberland Island, following the magenta line on the plotter will put you hard aground. BUT, if you follow the channel markers, you will be fine. The channel is very shallow on the red side, especially between red markers 60 and 62. Stay waayyy over on the east side and when your plotter shows you going over land, I believe it shows a small island that is not there, you are actually in the deeper water. Electronics are wonderful, but don’t take the place of observing proper markers and using good common sense. Following electronics blindly can result in inconveniences at least, and expensive repairs at the worst. Some Skippers have found this to be a very expensive mistake, so keep alert and follow the marked channel. Dredging has been ongoing along parts of this stretch.
Chuck Baier

I agree with Chuck Baier’s comments of 04/03/12. I have passed through her twice in the last 3 weeks on a 185′ passenger vessel following Chucks advice above. No difficulties folowing the marks, but I did make both passages at greater than 1/2 tide.
Capt. Mike

Click Here To View the Cruisers’ Net’s “AICW Problem Stretches” Listing For the Cumberland Dividings

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To This AICW Problem Stretch