Route 13 Bridge - Click for Chartview

Well off the familiar path of the AICW, the Chowan River is a deep, blackwater river that runs west and north from the westerly extreme of Albemarle Sound into remote Gates County, North Carolina.
This is a stream all too rarely visited by cruising craft, particularly as it hosts one of the finest anchorages you will ever find, anywhere, anytime, on Bennetts Creek. There is also another good anchor down spot behind Holiday Island.
Very, very few cruisers venture upstream on the Chowan as far as the Highway US 13-158 bridge, whose reconstruction is described below. HOWEVER, this work may indeed affect some local, year-round Albemarle Sound/Edenton, NC cruisers, so if this accurately describes you, take note!

NC ‘”ALBERMARLE SOUND ‘” CHOWAN RIVER – BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION
Mariners are advised that construction activity will commence on or about July 1, 2013 through August 1, 2014 at the US 13-158 Bridge across Chowan River, at mile 36.7, between Winton and Tarheel, NC. A new fixed bridge will be constructed adjacent to the existing fixed bridge. The purpose of the project is to reduce traffic congestion and improve travel time and safety along US 13-158. The new fixed bridge will provide a minimum vertical clearance of 34 feet, above mean high water, with a 66-foot wide horizontal clearance. The existing span is currently charted with a 35-foot vertical clearance, above mean high water, with the same 66-foot wide horizontal clearance in the navigational channel. To
facilitate the work, construction barges and tugboats will be in the area performing pile driving, concrete footing construction, erection of precast concrete girders and superstructure. We are also advising mariners use extreme caution when transiting the area. Construction tugboats will monitor VHF-FM Channel 13. Chart: 12205.

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