LITTLE WICOMICO RIVER JETTY STILL NEEDS DREDGING - UNFORTUNATE NEWS! A recent survey of the Little Wicomico River entrance, known as “The Jetties” has shown that over 50% of the channel is well under the 8’ controlling depth established by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and a substantial portion is under 5’ in depth. This has lead to a rash of recent groundings in the middle of the Federal channel. According to Dan Hickey, owner of Smith Point Marina, the entrance has been shown to be so treacherous that he is now advising transient boaters with drafts over 3’ to steer clear of the Little Wicomico River and go elsewhere when looking for safe harbor. Update: As of Mar 31, 2025, there is no chance of funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at all as the Federal Government has apparently given up on fundinig local projects. Call Congressman Wittman to find out why. Also, there will be no chance of funding for the dredging project using Commonwealth of Virginia funds through the Port of Norfolk and the Northern Neck Planning District Commission until after March 2026!
Jan 2007 - $100,000 was inserted in the proposed FY 08 Budget to have the Little Wicomico River entrance dredge project studied and engineered. June 2007 - The Corps of Engineers surveyed the Jetties. March 2008 - Corps of Engineers advertises for comments on proposed Jetties Dredging. Sept 2009 - Contract awarded to Cottrell Contracting Corp from Chesapeake VA Feb 15 2010 - Dredging Begins Mar 5 2010 - Dredging complete There are no Navigational Hazards in the Jetties as of this time. 2012 - Jetties begin to shoal up as reported to USCG and USACE Oct 16, 2012 - Hurricane Sandy Strikes - congress authorizes seemingly unlimited $$ after a delay/debate Oct 2013 - County Notified that USACE has $$ from Hurricane Sandy to Dredge the Little Wicomico River Jetties Jan 13 2014 - Dredging Begins. Hampered by a run of winter storms, etc, the three week dredging project takes 2 Months and completes mid-March. Mid April, the dredging equipment is still in the river. Please note, the dredge spoil is AGAIN dumped up-river in the Potomac, within a mile of the project.
11 Years Later!
LITTLE WICOMICO RIVER JETTY STILL NEEDS DREDGING - UNFORTUNATE NEWS! A recent survey of the Little Wicomico River entrance, known as “The Jetties” has shown that over 50% of the channel is well under the 8’ controlling depth established by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and a substantial portion is under 5’ in depth. This has lead to a rash of recent groundings in the middle of the Federal channel. According to Dan Hickey, owner of Smith Point Marina, the entrance has been shown to be so treacherous that he is now advising transient boaters with drafts over 3’ to steer clear of the Little Wicomico River and go elsewhere when looking for safe harbor. Update: As of Mar 31, 2025, there is no chance of funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at all as the Federal Government has apparently given up on fundinig local projects. Call Congressman Wittman to find out why. Also, there will be no chance of funding for the dredging project using Commonwealth of Virginia funds through the Port of Norfolk and the Northern Neck Planning District Commission until after March 2026!