The Army Corps of Engineers’ dredge Currituck, based out of Wilmington, N.C., is scheduled to begin dredging the Rudee Inlet Federal Navigation Project for five days beginning Dec. 7, 2012.
The dredging is being done as a result of significant shoaling across the entire entrance channel. Weather conditions and wind direction have caused an increase in the shoaling rate at Rudee Inlet. About 20,000 cubic yards is expected to be dredged during this event and placed near-shore north of the inlet jetties.
Rudee Inlet is designated as a critical harbor of refuge and is located on the Atlantic Ocean side in the City of Virginia Beach. The project provides access to the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean for commercial fishing vessels, charter fishing boats, head boats and a wide range of private recreational vessels.
Cost of this event is approximately $175,000 and is cost shared at a 72 percent federal and 28 percent local ratio.
[mappress]
Press Release, December 6, 2012