DESCRIPTION: This navigation asset consists of a channel, 18 feet deep and 150 feet wide, across the bar at the entrance to the inlet; thence 12 feet deep and generally 100 feet wide through the Main and South Channels to the Route 35 Bridge; thence 8 feet and 100 feet wide to the upper limit of the Belmar Municipal Boat Basin, with additional depths and widths where necessary and practicable to produce satisfactory current velocities at bridges. The total length of the project is approximately 1.7 miles, including the 12-foot deep, 7.3-acre anchorage area immediately east of the Route 4-N bridge.
AUTHORIZATION: The Shark River Federal Navigation Project was authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1945.
COMMERCE: This asset provides safe navigation in support of commercial and recreational marine interests including several fishing vessels and marinas.
BACKGROUND: The most previous maintenance dredging occurred during November 2025 with the removal of approximately 15,000 cubic yards (CYs) of sand from the inlet. Maintenance dredging of the channel involves the removal of shoals located at the entrance to the inlet that continue to develop and are typically dredged bi-annually, with dredging occurring in Winter and Summer. These same recurring shoals were previously dredged bi-annually going back to 2006. With each cycle, approximately 15,000 cubic yards of sand is removed by the Corps dredge MURDEN and placed north of the L-jetty in the Borough of Avon-by-the Sea in approximately 10 – 14 feet of water to create a temporary nearshore berm that provides temporary erosion and shore protection.
STATUS: In FY2026, funds are being used for commonly performed Operations & Maintenance (O&M) work, including maintenance dredging of the entrance to the inlet by the Government dredge MURDEN. Maintenance dredging at Shark River Inlet will be performed in Summer 2026. During FY2026, funding will also provide for commonly performed Operations & Maintenance (O&M) work including monitoring of the channel shoaling conditions, coordination with the users, USCG and stakeholders; and production of an annual hydrographic condition survey, and publication of the Controlling Depth Report on the District’s website below.
https://www.nan.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation/Controlling-Depth-Reports/
CONTACT:
William T. Bruno
Asset / Project Manager
P: (917) 790-8516
Email:William.Bruno@usace.army.mil
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District
26 Federal Plaza
New York, NY 10278
http://www.nan.usace.army.mil
District Area: NJ # 4