Dismal Swamp Waterway Open-AICW

Traveling the Dismal Swamp on the ICW. Photo courtesy of the "Tellico Lady."

News from ActiveCaptain


The Welcome Center at the Dismal Swamp added a review a couple weeks ago providing an update on the Dismal Swamp:

https://activecaptain.com/X.php?lat=36.506911&lon=-76.355795&t=h&z=17

They also asked that we let all east coast boaters know that their waterway is open and ready for visitors. In addition, the ACOE crane barge, Elizabeth II, is going through the canal to make sure it is clear of debris for boaters. There are a few hazard markers along the Dismal Swamp route from last Fall - please update or delete them if the hazard no longer exists.


Thanks to all of the contributors there is no more reliable source for up-to-date information on the Dismal Swamp or anywhere else you cruise.


Are you traveling the AICW and have pictures or information concerning the Virginia- North Carolina region to share? Please e-mail them to skipjacknauticalwares@gmail.com. so we can share them with others traveling the AICW.  Have a great day and a safe passage.  Joe Elder, MilemarkerO.blogspot.com.

Dismal Swamp Canal - Closure for Lock Maintenance

South Mill Lock,  North Carolina.

On Wednesday, January 4, 2012, the Corps of Engineers will begin repairs to the South Mills Lock on the Dismal Swamp Canal. Therefore, the locks at Deep Creek, Virginia and South Mills, North Carolina will stop operating after the last scheduled locking at 3:30 PM on Tuesday, January 3, 2012. The Dismal Swamp Canal, Route 2 of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, will be temporarily closed to through vessel traffic until repairs are complete. The repairs are expected to take 60 to 90 days.

The Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, Route 1 through the Great Bridge lock at Chesapeake, Virginia, will be open 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Operators will monitor Channel 13. Should you have any questions concerning this matter, please call 757-201-7642.

Reported by Bob McBribe, Mile Marker "0" Marine Supplies. for more information, contact Bob at (757) 673-4186.

AICW Closed Between Virginia and North Carolina

AICW locks at Great Bridge, Virginia

AICW News from Salty Southeast Cruisers' Net

Due to a damaged gate and electrical problems – motors were submerged by flooding – Great Bridge Lock is inoperable. Engineers must wait for the water to subside before they can begin assessing the damage and attempting to dry out the electrical systems. They are unable to determine a reopening at this point. With Dismal Swamp Canal closed, this means that the AICW IS SHUTDOWN FROM VA TO NC! And this from Donna Stewart at the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center: there are trees down in the canal, and even with the 10-15 inches of rain received, there are still some 30 hotspots of fire in the park, so it will probably still be several weeks before the canal can be opened to navigation. All Corp Of Engineers equipment and crews are currently focusing on Great Bridge Lock.

For more information concerning news for the cruising community, follow the link here to Cruiser's Net.
Click here to visit the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway website.

MIle Marker "0" AICW

Mile Marker "0" AICW Event: 40th Annual Gosport Arts Festival May 8th and 9th in Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA

40th Annual Gosport Arts Festival in Olde Towne Portsmouth, VA

by David Cartier
Author "A New Day in Olde Towne"

If it's Mother's Day Weekend, it must be time for Gosport Arts Festival. This year, it's the 40th year for the event - the 10th festival held in Olde Towne Portsmouth. Plan to attend the event on May 8 and 9, 2010. The hours are 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Weekend activities will be held along the High Street corridor from the Elizabeth River to Dinwiddie Street in Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia's quaint historic seaport. Proceeds from the event will benefit Edmarc Hospice for Children.

Traditionally, more than 135 artists have represented a wide variety of mediums, styles, tastes and cultures. Past shows have included artists presenting oil, watercolor, pastels, charcoal, pencil, pen & ink, mixed media, photography, pottery, sculpture, fiber, stained glass, jewelry, metal, wood, clay, clothing, furniture, musical instruments, paper and much more. 

Many Olde Towne galleries, antique and specialty shops, fine dining establishments, and cafés will feature special offerings.

An Artist in Action stage and entertainment stages will feature events by artists and performers. The Edmarc Kid's Park will be set up in front of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, for face painting and creating Mother's Day gifts. Artisan demonstrations and make-'n-take activities for children will take place in the courtyard of the Courthouse Gallery at High and Court Streets.

"The arts festival has something for everyone from the kids to grandma," said Millie Johnson, Director of the Gosport Arts Festival. "We've put a lot of effort into making navigation of the Gosport Arts Festival and Open House easy for our visitors." adds Millie. In its 40 years, the juried Gosport Art Show has donated over $400,000 to Hampton Roads communities.

Visit the Gosport Arts Festival website at http://www.gosportartsfestival.com/

Boaters: Both Tidewater Yacht Marina and Ocean Marine yacht Center are both just a short walking distance to this event.  You can also dock your boat at both North and High Street Landings on a first come basis.
Ride Portsmouth's Downtown "LOOP" for FREE to get around our downtown area. The LOOP will also take you to Food Lion for groceries and other necessaries. There are LOOP stops at both North and High Street  landings.
Questions? e-mail me at cjosephelder@gmail.com or give us a call at Skipjack Nautical Wares at (757) 399-5012