Restoring Hammond Cove’s depths for safe navigation

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) joined Councilmember Marjorie Velazquez, Assemblymember Michael Benedetto, and community members yesterday for the “water” breaking of the Hammond Cove dredging.

The dredging is set to restore Hammond Cove’s depths for safe navigation, operations, and enhance the recreational and emergency public access to New York City’s coastal waters in the Locust Point area of the Bronx, New York.

The project is funded through a $1.5 million grant from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) that will be used to improve navigable access during all tidal conditions by dredging an area of 80 feet wide and depth of 6 feet below the Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW).

This will improve navigation within the Hammond Cove Inlet where the channel is constricted, and depths are less than 6 feet, thereby reducing the 20 to 50 vessel grounding instances that occur in the area each year.

“This important project will ensure Hammond Cove’s water depths are restored to safe level and revitalize a popular recreational boating destination that the community can enjoy this upcoming year,” said NYCEDC President and CEO, Andrew Kimball.

“We are very grateful to Councilmember Velazquez, Assemblymember Benedetto, and every elected official that helped secure this needed funding and bring this project to fruition.”

“Bronx Community Board 10 commends EDC and the Department of Parks for its commitment to dredging Hammond Cove,” added Bronx Community Board 10 District Manager, Matthew Cruz.

“We are confident that the work will do little to disturb the surrounding community and maritime life. We know that our community will appreciate all precautions being taken to enhance our waterfronts.”

Permitting and planning the dredging of Hammonds Cove has been years in the making.

Going back to 2016 the project has been listed by Bronx Community Board 10 as a top priority in the Statement of Community Board Needs.

The last time that Hammond Creek was dredged was around 1937 which resulted in the creation of Hammond Cove.

The Cove is the location of the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Hammonds Cove Marina as well as the Locust Point Yacht Club.

Vessels using both facilities directly benefit from improved navigational safety improvements achieved through dredging the Cove entrance.