The Deep Creek lock in Chesapeake, Va., sits idle during the canal's last shutdown in February for repairs. The lock is a part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway's Dismal Swamp Canal, America's oldest continually operating canal, which is once again shutdown do to wildfires in the Dismal Swamp. (U.S. Army Photo/Patrick Bloodgood)
The Deep Creek lock in Chesapeake, Va., sits idle during the canal's last shutdown in February for repairs. The lock is a part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway's Dismal Swamp Canal, America's oldest continually operating canal, which is once again shutdown do to wildfires in the Dismal Swamp. (U.S. Army Photo/Patrick Bloodgood)

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Dismal Swamp Canal closed indefinitely

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Posted August 11, 2011
By Patrick Bloodgood, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Public Affairs

08/11/2011 - CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Wildfires in the Dismal Swamp have closed the Dismal Swamp Canal, the nation's oldest continually operating canal, to boat traffic.

The closure, which is temporary, allows firefighters to have continuous unimpeded access into the fire zone from route 17.

"We received a request from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service along with the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation to see if we could close the canal so firefighters wouldn't have to wait for potential bridge openings near the fire, we didn't see any major issues with the request so we went ahead and closed the canal to assist them in any way we could," said Joel Scussel, the Dismal Swamp Canal project manager.

The restriction will be lifted when the fire is contained and smoke levels diminish for safe navigation.

Boaters are advised to use the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal which remains open and operational. Addition information about the canal closure can be obtained by calling 757 201-7500 and pressing option 3.

Updated: 11-Aug-2011