Back Creek, located in York County, Virginia, is an estuary of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The creek is located approximately 26 miles (42 kilometers) from the city of Norfolk, Virginia and 64 miles (102 kilometers) from Richmond, Virginia. Fishing boats leaving Back Creek access the Chesapeake Bay, and ultimately, the Atlantic Ocean, via the existing, naturally occurring channel.
The channel is adjacent to the town of Seaford and is used by recreational, scallop, and fishing boats. The area is greatly dependent upon access to the waters of the Chesapeake Bay for its economic livelihood. The depths of the Back Creek channel are relatively consistent between -7 and -15 feet MLLW, on average, extending for two miles. The channel is south of the York River. To the northwest of the channel are the Goodwin Islands, a 315-ha salt-marsh archipelago surrounded by inter-tidal flats and SAV.
In 1982, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and Environmental Assessment (EA) Navigation Study of Back Creek, York County, VA was published by USACE Norfolk District. The study identified channel shoaling as a cause for navigation and safety concerns to owners/operators of vessels in the channel and proposed dredging the channel. Due to lack of funding, the project’s construction was never carried out.
On April 7, 2017, York County requested that USACE Norfolk conduct a feasibility study under the Continuing Authorities Program (CAP) to address the same shoaling problem identified in the 1982 DPR EA at the entrance channel to Back Creek in York County, VA. The shoaling in the channel has created a navigation hazard for commercial and recreational vessels. Groundings, economic damages, congestion, transportation delays, and reduced cargo loading are a result of the shallow depths and shoaling in the channel.
SCOPE
The study scope included an investigation into the groundings of the boats in the study area, vessel traffic, vessel requirements, and economic needs. Based on these efforts, planning objectives and constraints were identified and alternative plans were formulated. These plans were developed and evaluated in coordination with state and federal authorities. The final alternative plans were selected for detailed analysis. Features of the proposed navigation improvements include widening, deepening, and creating a turning basin.
AUTHORIZATION
Section 107 of the Continuing Authorities Program as authorized by the Rivers and Harbors act of 1960, as amended.
Section 107 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1960 provides authority for the Corps of Engineers to improve navigation, including dredging of channels, anchorage areas, and turning basins, and construction of breakwaters, jetties and groins, through a partnership with non-federal government sponsor such as cities, counties, special chartered authorities (such as port authorities), or units of state government.