DESCRIPTION: This asset provides for a navigation channel 6 feet deep, 100 feet wide from the Federally improved channel in Great South Bay, opposite Patchogue, to the south end of Shinnecock Canal. The lengthy 33.6 mile project traverses the inland waters through the Great South Bay, the Bellport Bay, the Narrow Bay, the Moriches Bay, the Quantuck Bay and the Shinnecock Bay.
AUTHORIZATION: The Rivers and Harbors Act of August 26, 1937.
COMMERCE: Although it does not have any commercial navigation transiting this asset, the channel supports three United States Coast Guard Stations that utilize this waterway for Search and Rescue Missions. This 33.6 mile long recreational waterway also is the primary access between 5 bays as well as dozens of coves, rivers and creeks that lead inland. Thousands of users utilize the Intra-coastal Waterway for a safe sheltered route along the Atlantic Ocean with access to 3 of the 6 coastal inlets on the south shore of Long Island.
BACKGROUND: The last maintenance dredging cycle was completed in November 2022 in the Moriches Bay reach and removed approximately 68,000 of sand that was placed on Atlantic Ocean shoreline at Cupsogue Beach.
The prior 3 maintenance dredging cycles included shoals within the same vicinity located in the Moriches Bay area. Prior cycle was completed January 2019 and another cycle was completed in November 2014. Prior to that dredging was completed in November 2012 and was used to close the breach of the barrier island caused by Hurricane Sandy at Smith Point County Park.
STATUS: During FY2023, funding will provide for commonly performed Operations & Maintenance (O&M) work including close out of FY22 contract; monitoring of the channel shoaling conditions, coordination with the US Coast Guard and other users and stakeholders; and completing Plans and Specs and awarding a maintenance dredging contract. Production of an annual hydrographic condition survey, and publication of the Controlling Depth Report on the District’s website (https://www.nan.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation/Controlling-Depth-Reports/) is also scheduled for fiscal year 2023.
CONTACT:
Edward Wrocenski
Asset / Project Manager
P: (917) 790-8636
Email: edward.wrocenski@usace.army.mil
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District
26 Federal Plaza
New York, NY 10278
District Area: NY # 1