Dismal Swamp this Week

[Hannah on 'Rita T']

Has anyone been down the Dismal Swamp in the last couple of weeks? What is the actual depth? I know the stated depth is six feet but since we draw close to that I'm wondering what the actual depth is. Thanks

[UWOA]

I was thinking of going that way (in about a week and a half) until I found this:

Shallow Obstruction; Latitude: 36°35.558'N
Longitude: 076°23.074'W; Due to all the rain, a 10 inch drainage pipe has been placed across the bottom of the canal. Combined with the recent 18 inches of rain with silting, there is only 5.2 ft of clearance as of 10/10/2010. Ask lockmaster for status when entering the canal.

[ActiveCaptain]

Originally Posted by Hannah on 'Rita T'

I know the stated depth is six feet but since we draw close to that I'm wondering what the actual depth is. Thanks

You might want to read the entire thread below that went over all of this a couple of weeks ago:
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...amp-48939.html

[Pau Hana Daz]

I just came through via the swamp route 3 days ago. Didn't see any real depth issues, and didn't notice anything less than about 6.5'. There were more logs and deadheads than a month ago though (almost everyone I talked to hit at least one). There was active dredging a few miles north of the visitor center on Tuesday of last week and a big dredging operation a bit north of the Hobucken bridge as well.

[Hannah on 'Rita T']

Thanks, Daz, that's just what I was looking for, recent experiences. We are getting our brains beat in on the Bay today and expect to be in Norfolk Thursday or Friday, heading down Saturday or Sunday. Thanks, Hannah

[Pau Hana Daz]

Glad to help Hannah.

Here's another for you:

After leaving Elizabeth City follow your chart out to the PR1 mark. From there you can take a direct route to the AR1 mark. I never saw less than 17' from there until past the AR1. That saves several miles versus following the magenta line. Once you approach 7, be sure to follow the marks, not your plotter or charts. There's lots of changing shallow water in the narrows approaching the AR swing bridge.

[Hannah on 'Rita T']

This is our first trip with a plotter, we are slow adopters, I guess. I am learning to love it, but don't trust it yet. So the marks are our first line of defense. The biggest change so far is the AIS, which could easily make me too complacent.