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Arrest on Charge of DUI Made After Newark Man Drives Vehicle Into Surf on Navy Beach at Cape Henlopen Date Posted: September 9, 2022
Two Wilmington Gang Members Sentenced for Murders, Gun Charges Date Posted: September 9, 2022
Free Fly-Fishing Lessons Offered for Anglers Date Posted: September 9, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: September 8, 2022
Wilmington Man Sentenced in Revenge Murder Case Date Posted: September 8, 2022
Delaware Climate Leadership Academy to Launch Second Cohort Date Posted: September 8, 2022
Volunteers Needed To Plant Trees on September 17 at Blackbird State Forest, Enhancing the Chesapeake Bay Date Posted: September 7, 2022
DNREC Completes Murderkill Channel Dredging, Takes Momentum Into Fall for More Navigability Projects Date Posted: September 7, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness Announces the First Ever Fraud Hotline Annual Report Date Posted: September 6, 2022
AG Jennings Announces $438.5 Million Multistate Agreement with JUUL Labs Date Posted: September 6, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Sales Agreement for New Wilmington Library Location Date Posted: September 6, 2022
Heritage Commission’s Book of the Week: The Perennial Apprentice Date Posted: September 6, 2022
October Declared Delaware Cybersecurity Awareness Month Date Posted: September 2, 2022
Wilmington Man Arrested After Lewdness and Indecent Exposure Incidents at First State National Historical Park Date Posted: September 2, 2022
DPH Announces Updates To Monkeypox Cases, Vaccine Access And Launch Of Public Health Alert Web Portal Date Posted: September 1, 2022
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Weekend Event to be Held Oct. 7 to 9 at Camp Barnes Date Posted: September 1, 2022
DNREC to Reopen The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park Sept. 1 Date Posted: September 1, 2022
FDA Authorizes Bivalent COVID-19 Boosters; CDC Sign-Off Expected By Weekend Date Posted: August 31, 2022
DPH Announces First Human Case Of West Nile Virus Of The Year In Sussex County Man Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Atlantic State Marine Fisheries Commission to Hold Virtual Public Hearing on Horseshoe Crab Draft Addendum VIII Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Division Of Public Health Releases Information On 2020 Delaware Unintentional Drug Overdose Deaths Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Delaware Division Of Public Health Re-Accredited As Nationally Accredited Public Health Agency Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Flag Lowering for International Overdose Awareness Day Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Central Delaware Career Expo Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Appointments to State Board of Education Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Numerous Delaware Hunting Seasons to Open in September, Including Archery Deer, Resident Canada Goose, Teal Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Division of Small Business to Reopen EDGE Grants Competition for Applications Date Posted: August 30, 2022
DMV Announces New Medical Tint Waiver Application Process Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Delaware Division of Public Health Launches New Fentanyl Test Strip Distribution Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Delaware’s Annual Chautauqua Tent Show, Sept. 8–11, 2022 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Gov. Charles L. Terry – Oral History Series Date Posted: August 29, 2022
DEHAP Rental Assistance Will Temporarily Pause On September 9 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Air Permitting Training Session Scheduled for Sept. 20 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Plans Underway for High-Capacity Magazine Buyback for Delaware Residents Date Posted: August 26, 2022
Delaware Transit Corporation Receives 5th Federal Grant for Energy Efficient Buses Date Posted: August 26, 2022
DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center to Close Sept. 1 for Season Date Posted: August 26, 2022
Back to School…It’s Go Time Date Posted: August 26, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness: “Delaware Criminal Justice Council Policy Updates Improve Justice for All” Date Posted: August 25, 2022
DNREC Encourages Visitors to Utilize Guarded Beaches at Delaware State Parks for Swimming Date Posted: August 25, 2022
Delaware Emitirá Beneficios de Emergencia el 25 de Agosto Date Posted: August 24, 2022
Delaware Will Issue Monthly Emergency Benefits on August 25 Date Posted: August 24, 2022
The Mezzanine Gallery to Exhibit “Inner Reflections” by Kiara Florez Date Posted: August 24, 2022
TranspARTation Grant Opportunity for Schools Returns for 2022-2023 School Year Date Posted: August 24, 2022
Felony Arrests Made Following Killens Pond State Park Water Park Burglary Date Posted: August 23, 2022
DPH Announces Six New Cases Of Monkeypox; Vaccine Expansion Underway Date Posted: August 23, 2022
Delaware Seeks Federal Grant to Support Cleaner School Buses Date Posted: August 23, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: August 23, 2022
DNREC to Host Community Workshop on Proposed Biogas Facility in Southern Delaware Date Posted: August 22, 2022
2022-23 School Year Free and Reduced-Price Meal Policy Announced Date Posted: August 22, 2022
Secretary of State Announces Leadership Change Date Posted: August 22, 2022
“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Plan for a Sober Ride Home Date Posted: August 22, 2022
Covid-19 Cases Decline In Last Month; DPH Shares Summary Of Most Recent CDC Updates Date Posted: August 19, 2022
Jennings, DSP Announce Trooper Plea In Computer System Misuse Case Date Posted: August 19, 2022
DIAA Statement on DFOA Officials Date Posted: August 19, 2022
Governor Carney Formally Extends Public Health Emergency Date Posted: August 19, 2022
Implementation of Delaware EARNS to Begin Date Posted: August 18, 2022
DPH Announces Partnerships To Expand Access To The Monkeypox Vaccine For Eligible Persons Date Posted: August 18, 2022
Jennings, State AGs Reach $450 Million Settlement As Part Of Opioid Maker Endo’s Bankruptcy Date Posted: August 18, 2022
Governor Carney Announces High Ratings from Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor Date Posted: August 18, 2022
DPH Announces Five New Monkeypox Cases And Expanded Access To Vaccine Date Posted: August 16, 2022
Historical Affairs programs in September 2022 Date Posted: August 16, 2022
Public Advocate’s Petition to Reduce Tidewater’s Rates Granted Date Posted: August 15, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Russell W. Peterson Date Posted: August 15, 2022
DNREC to Present Texas Living Shoreline Webinar Aug. 25 Date Posted: August 15, 2022
Free Basic Emergency Class on August 26 and 27 Date Posted: August 15, 2022
DelDOT Offers Sign Placement Law Reminder Ahead of Election Season Date Posted: August 13, 2022
DelDOT and DSP Preparing for Golf Tournament Traffic Impacts Date Posted: August 12, 2022
First 2022 Delaware Evidence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Detected in DNREC’s Sentinel Chickens Date Posted: August 12, 2022
Statement From Auditor McGuiness On Judge’s Ruling Date Posted: August 11, 2022
Auditor’s Office to Release Fifteen Examinations of Delaware’s Long-Term Care Facilities Date Posted: August 11, 2022
AG Jennings Unveils AG’s Abortion Legal Helpline Date Posted: August 10, 2022
State Launches Education Funding Study Date Posted: August 10, 2022
Delaware Sends Wildfire Crew to Northern California Date Posted: August 9, 2022
Family Emergency Preparedness Day Returns on September 17 Date Posted: August 9, 2022
DelDOT Marks Completion of Georgetown East Gateway Project Date Posted: August 9, 2022
2022 State Test Results Provide Baseline for Pandemic Recovery Date Posted: August 9, 2022
DNREC, DelDOT To Deploy New EV Charging Stations Along State’s Major Travel Routes Via BIL Initiative Funding Date Posted: August 9, 2022
DPH Seeks Community-Based Applicants For Advancing Healthy Lifestyles Mini-Grants Date Posted: August 8, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Sherman W. Tribbitt Date Posted: August 8, 2022
Delaware Animal Services Seeks Tips In Dog Abandonment Case Resulting In Death Date Posted: August 5, 2022
Delaware Captive Bureau to Welcome New Director Date Posted: August 5, 2022
DPH Announces Additional Cases Of Monkeypox Date Posted: August 4, 2022
State of Delaware Commits to Filling Job Vacancies Date Posted: August 3, 2022
Mud Mill Pond Boat Ramp to Temporarily Reopen Due to Change in Dam Construction Schedule Date Posted: August 3, 2022
AG Jennings Applauds CJC Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Policy Changes Date Posted: August 2, 2022
Attorney General Jennings Announces Formation of Nationwide Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force Date Posted: August 2, 2022
El Programa de Pandemia EBT de Delaware Proporcionará Beneficios para Alimentar a Niños/as Durante el Verano Date Posted: August 2, 2022
Delaware’s Pandemic EBT Program will Provide Benefits to Feed Children During the Summer Date Posted: August 2, 2022
Division of Small Business Accepting Applications for Site Readiness Fund Date Posted: August 1, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: An Oral History of Elbert Carvel Date Posted: August 1, 2022
Hunters Must Now Register Trail Cameras, Deer Stands and Ground Blinds Left on State Wildlife Areas Date Posted: August 1, 2022
CDC Raises Delaware’s COVID-19 Community Levels To High In All Counties Date Posted: July 29, 2022
The Mezzanine Gallery to Exhibit “Jamaican Journey” by Katie West Date Posted: July 29, 2022
Delaware Division of the Arts Winners to be Exhibited at CAMP Rehoboth Date Posted: July 29, 2022
DNREC Seeks Volunteers for Delaware Coastal Cleanup Sept. 17 Date Posted: July 29, 2022
Middle and High School Students Win Digital Mapping Awards Date Posted: July 29, 2022
Statewide Training on Reunification for School Emergencies Date Posted: July 29, 2022
Celebrating National ABLE to Save Month Date Posted: July 29, 2022
Delaware Aglands Permanently Preserves 3,800 Acres; Largest Number of Inland Bays Easements Ever Selected Date Posted: July 28, 2022
Delaware Health Agencies Seek Community-Based Applicants For Healthy Women, Healthy Babies Zones Mini-Grants Date Posted: July 28, 2022
Arrest on Charge of DUI Made After Newark Man Drives Vehicle Into Surf on Navy Beach at Cape Henlopen Date Posted: September 9, 2022
Two Wilmington Gang Members Sentenced for Murders, Gun Charges Date Posted: September 9, 2022
Free Fly-Fishing Lessons Offered for Anglers Date Posted: September 9, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: September 8, 2022
Wilmington Man Sentenced in Revenge Murder Case Date Posted: September 8, 2022
Delaware Climate Leadership Academy to Launch Second Cohort Date Posted: September 8, 2022
Volunteers Needed To Plant Trees on September 17 at Blackbird State Forest, Enhancing the Chesapeake Bay Date Posted: September 7, 2022
DNREC Completes Murderkill Channel Dredging, Takes Momentum Into Fall for More Navigability Projects Date Posted: September 7, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness Announces the First Ever Fraud Hotline Annual Report Date Posted: September 6, 2022
AG Jennings Announces $438.5 Million Multistate Agreement with JUUL Labs Date Posted: September 6, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Sales Agreement for New Wilmington Library Location Date Posted: September 6, 2022
Heritage Commission’s Book of the Week: The Perennial Apprentice Date Posted: September 6, 2022
October Declared Delaware Cybersecurity Awareness Month Date Posted: September 2, 2022
Wilmington Man Arrested After Lewdness and Indecent Exposure Incidents at First State National Historical Park Date Posted: September 2, 2022
DPH Announces Updates To Monkeypox Cases, Vaccine Access And Launch Of Public Health Alert Web Portal Date Posted: September 1, 2022
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Weekend Event to be Held Oct. 7 to 9 at Camp Barnes Date Posted: September 1, 2022
DNREC to Reopen The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park Sept. 1 Date Posted: September 1, 2022
FDA Authorizes Bivalent COVID-19 Boosters; CDC Sign-Off Expected By Weekend Date Posted: August 31, 2022
DPH Announces First Human Case Of West Nile Virus Of The Year In Sussex County Man Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Atlantic State Marine Fisheries Commission to Hold Virtual Public Hearing on Horseshoe Crab Draft Addendum VIII Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Division Of Public Health Releases Information On 2020 Delaware Unintentional Drug Overdose Deaths Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Delaware Division Of Public Health Re-Accredited As Nationally Accredited Public Health Agency Date Posted: August 31, 2022
Flag Lowering for International Overdose Awareness Day Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Central Delaware Career Expo Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Governor Carney Announces Appointments to State Board of Education Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Numerous Delaware Hunting Seasons to Open in September, Including Archery Deer, Resident Canada Goose, Teal Date Posted: August 30, 2022
Division of Small Business to Reopen EDGE Grants Competition for Applications Date Posted: August 30, 2022
DMV Announces New Medical Tint Waiver Application Process Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Delaware Division of Public Health Launches New Fentanyl Test Strip Distribution Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Delaware’s Annual Chautauqua Tent Show, Sept. 8–11, 2022 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Gov. Charles L. Terry – Oral History Series Date Posted: August 29, 2022
DEHAP Rental Assistance Will Temporarily Pause On September 9 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Air Permitting Training Session Scheduled for Sept. 20 Date Posted: August 29, 2022
Plans Underway for High-Capacity Magazine Buyback for Delaware Residents Date Posted: August 26, 2022
Delaware Transit Corporation Receives 5th Federal Grant for Energy Efficient Buses Date Posted: August 26, 2022
DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center to Close Sept. 1 for Season Date Posted: August 26, 2022
Back to School…It’s Go Time Date Posted: August 26, 2022
State Auditor McGuiness: “Delaware Criminal Justice Council Policy Updates Improve Justice for All” Date Posted: August 25, 2022
DNREC Encourages Visitors to Utilize Guarded Beaches at Delaware State Parks for Swimming Date Posted: August 25, 2022
Delaware Emitirá Beneficios de Emergencia el 25 de Agosto Date Posted: August 24, 2022
Delaware Will Issue Monthly Emergency Benefits on August 25 Date Posted: August 24, 2022
The Mezzanine Gallery to Exhibit “Inner Reflections” by Kiara Florez Date Posted: August 24, 2022
TranspARTation Grant Opportunity for Schools Returns for 2022-2023 School Year Date Posted: August 24, 2022
Felony Arrests Made Following Killens Pond State Park Water Park Burglary Date Posted: August 23, 2022
DPH Announces Six New Cases Of Monkeypox; Vaccine Expansion Underway Date Posted: August 23, 2022
Delaware Seeks Federal Grant to Support Cleaner School Buses Date Posted: August 23, 2022
Governor Carney Orders Lowering of Flags Date Posted: August 23, 2022
DNREC to Host Community Workshop on Proposed Biogas Facility in Southern Delaware Date Posted: August 22, 2022
2022-23 School Year Free and Reduced-Price Meal Policy Announced Date Posted: August 22, 2022
Secretary of State Announces Leadership Change Date Posted: August 22, 2022
“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Plan for a Sober Ride Home Date Posted: August 22, 2022
Covid-19 Cases Decline In Last Month; DPH Shares Summary Of Most Recent CDC Updates Date Posted: August 19, 2022
Jennings, DSP Announce Trooper Plea In Computer System Misuse Case Date Posted: August 19, 2022
DIAA Statement on DFOA Officials Date Posted: August 19, 2022
Governor Carney Formally Extends Public Health Emergency Date Posted: August 19, 2022
Implementation of Delaware EARNS to Begin Date Posted: August 18, 2022
DPH Announces Partnerships To Expand Access To The Monkeypox Vaccine For Eligible Persons Date Posted: August 18, 2022
Jennings, State AGs Reach $450 Million Settlement As Part Of Opioid Maker Endo’s Bankruptcy Date Posted: August 18, 2022
Governor Carney Announces High Ratings from Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor Date Posted: August 18, 2022
DPH Announces Five New Monkeypox Cases And Expanded Access To Vaccine Date Posted: August 16, 2022
Historical Affairs programs in September 2022 Date Posted: August 16, 2022
Public Advocate’s Petition to Reduce Tidewater’s Rates Granted Date Posted: August 15, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Russell W. Peterson Date Posted: August 15, 2022
DNREC to Present Texas Living Shoreline Webinar Aug. 25 Date Posted: August 15, 2022
Free Basic Emergency Class on August 26 and 27 Date Posted: August 15, 2022
DelDOT Offers Sign Placement Law Reminder Ahead of Election Season Date Posted: August 13, 2022
DelDOT and DSP Preparing for Golf Tournament Traffic Impacts Date Posted: August 12, 2022
First 2022 Delaware Evidence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Detected in DNREC’s Sentinel Chickens Date Posted: August 12, 2022
Statement From Auditor McGuiness On Judge’s Ruling Date Posted: August 11, 2022
Auditor’s Office to Release Fifteen Examinations of Delaware’s Long-Term Care Facilities Date Posted: August 11, 2022
AG Jennings Unveils AG’s Abortion Legal Helpline Date Posted: August 10, 2022
State Launches Education Funding Study Date Posted: August 10, 2022
Delaware Sends Wildfire Crew to Northern California Date Posted: August 9, 2022
Family Emergency Preparedness Day Returns on September 17 Date Posted: August 9, 2022
DelDOT Marks Completion of Georgetown East Gateway Project Date Posted: August 9, 2022
2022 State Test Results Provide Baseline for Pandemic Recovery Date Posted: August 9, 2022
DNREC, DelDOT To Deploy New EV Charging Stations Along State’s Major Travel Routes Via BIL Initiative Funding Date Posted: August 9, 2022
DPH Seeks Community-Based Applicants For Advancing Healthy Lifestyles Mini-Grants Date Posted: August 8, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: Sherman W. Tribbitt Date Posted: August 8, 2022
Delaware Animal Services Seeks Tips In Dog Abandonment Case Resulting In Death Date Posted: August 5, 2022
Delaware Captive Bureau to Welcome New Director Date Posted: August 5, 2022
DPH Announces Additional Cases Of Monkeypox Date Posted: August 4, 2022
State of Delaware Commits to Filling Job Vacancies Date Posted: August 3, 2022
Mud Mill Pond Boat Ramp to Temporarily Reopen Due to Change in Dam Construction Schedule Date Posted: August 3, 2022
AG Jennings Applauds CJC Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Policy Changes Date Posted: August 2, 2022
Attorney General Jennings Announces Formation of Nationwide Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force Date Posted: August 2, 2022
El Programa de Pandemia EBT de Delaware Proporcionará Beneficios para Alimentar a Niños/as Durante el Verano Date Posted: August 2, 2022
Delaware’s Pandemic EBT Program will Provide Benefits to Feed Children During the Summer Date Posted: August 2, 2022
Division of Small Business Accepting Applications for Site Readiness Fund Date Posted: August 1, 2022
Heritage Commission Book of the Week: An Oral History of Elbert Carvel Date Posted: August 1, 2022
Hunters Must Now Register Trail Cameras, Deer Stands and Ground Blinds Left on State Wildlife Areas Date Posted: August 1, 2022
CDC Raises Delaware’s COVID-19 Community Levels To High In All Counties Date Posted: July 29, 2022
The Mezzanine Gallery to Exhibit “Jamaican Journey” by Katie West Date Posted: July 29, 2022
Delaware Division of the Arts Winners to be Exhibited at CAMP Rehoboth Date Posted: July 29, 2022
DNREC Seeks Volunteers for Delaware Coastal Cleanup Sept. 17 Date Posted: July 29, 2022
Middle and High School Students Win Digital Mapping Awards Date Posted: July 29, 2022
Statewide Training on Reunification for School Emergencies Date Posted: July 29, 2022
Celebrating National ABLE to Save Month Date Posted: July 29, 2022
Delaware Aglands Permanently Preserves 3,800 Acres; Largest Number of Inland Bays Easements Ever Selected Date Posted: July 28, 2022
Delaware Health Agencies Seek Community-Based Applicants For Healthy Women, Healthy Babies Zones Mini-Grants Date Posted: July 28, 2022
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Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Watershed Stewardship | Featured Posts | News | Date Posted: Wednesday, September 7, 2022
A bulldozer spreads beneficially-reused sand from DNREC’s Murderkill River emergency dredging project on South Bowers beach on Aug. 11 while the DNREC contractor’s dredge in background continues to clear the navigation channel.
An emergency dredging project to restore navigability in the Murderkill River was completed ahead of schedule, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today – with momentum from the $2.3 million project expected to carry over into fall on additional dredging work by DNREC’s Shoreline and Waterway Management Section that includes another navigability restoration challenge on White Creek in Sussex County.
The $2.3 million Murderkill project dredged more than 52,000 cubic yards of sediment from the river’s navigation channel, with DNREC making beneficial reuse of the dredged material to nourish close to a quarter-mile of eroding shoreline at South Bowers Beach. Not only was this accomplished during a continuous two-week dredging effort, but an additional 200 feet of sandy material was located in the Murderkill channel by DNREC’s contractor, Cottrell Contracting Company – which meant more volume could be pumped ashore to South Bowers for enhancing the town’s resiliency to coastal storms. That aspect of the project was not to be understated with the additional sand extending an area of an earlier beach nourishment project that also used dredged sand to bolster the shoreline as a vital defense of the coastal community against extreme weather.
Starting Aug. 2, DNREC’s contractor worked 24/7 on the project – with the dredge clearing the Murderkill navigation channel by mid-August as verified by surveys collected by a third party. Cottrell Contracting also monitored the dredging work for turbidity throughout the project to ensure compliance with water quality rules and regulations.
The project – which the contractor originally estimated for a 19-day work duration, based on an average rate of production – beat that estimate to the finish line by six days, in large part due to favorable weather conditions throughout. While the weather all but fully cooperated, Cottrell Contracting still had to dredge and pump sand ashore through a tide range about as large as it gets on Delaware Bay, with almost 7 feet of difference between high and low tides on some days. Within a span of two weeks, the Murderkill River – a federally-authorized navigation project that requires periodic dredging to maintain the safety of and navigable access to the river – had the open channel critically important to commercial and emergency vessels as well as recreational boating.
“DNREC’s Waterway Management Program is pleased with the completion and outcome of the Murderkill project, as well as the Delaware City Mooring Basin dredging project, which also was completed near the end of August,” said DNREC Shoreline and Waterway Management Section administrator Jesse Hayden. “We aim to keep momentum going from these two important dredging projects by today publishing a bid opportunity for dredging at White Creek, and as we continue the engineering phase of several other waterway projects to be undertaken by DNREC in the near future.”
About DNREC The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship develops and implements innovative watershed assessment, monitoring and implementation activities. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.
Media contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov or Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov
Related Topics: DNREC Shoreline and Waterway Management Section, Dredging, Murderkill River, White Creek
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Watershed Stewardship | Featured Posts | News | Date Posted: Wednesday, September 7, 2022
A bulldozer spreads beneficially-reused sand from DNREC’s Murderkill River emergency dredging project on South Bowers beach on Aug. 11 while the DNREC contractor’s dredge in background continues to clear the navigation channel.
An emergency dredging project to restore navigability in the Murderkill River was completed ahead of schedule, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today – with momentum from the $2.3 million project expected to carry over into fall on additional dredging work by DNREC’s Shoreline and Waterway Management Section that includes another navigability restoration challenge on White Creek in Sussex County.
The $2.3 million Murderkill project dredged more than 52,000 cubic yards of sediment from the river’s navigation channel, with DNREC making beneficial reuse of the dredged material to nourish close to a quarter-mile of eroding shoreline at South Bowers Beach. Not only was this accomplished during a continuous two-week dredging effort, but an additional 200 feet of sandy material was located in the Murderkill channel by DNREC’s contractor, Cottrell Contracting Company – which meant more volume could be pumped ashore to South Bowers for enhancing the town’s resiliency to coastal storms. That aspect of the project was not to be understated with the additional sand extending an area of an earlier beach nourishment project that also used dredged sand to bolster the shoreline as a vital defense of the coastal community against extreme weather.
Starting Aug. 2, DNREC’s contractor worked 24/7 on the project – with the dredge clearing the Murderkill navigation channel by mid-August as verified by surveys collected by a third party. Cottrell Contracting also monitored the dredging work for turbidity throughout the project to ensure compliance with water quality rules and regulations.
The project – which the contractor originally estimated for a 19-day work duration, based on an average rate of production – beat that estimate to the finish line by six days, in large part due to favorable weather conditions throughout. While the weather all but fully cooperated, Cottrell Contracting still had to dredge and pump sand ashore through a tide range about as large as it gets on Delaware Bay, with almost 7 feet of difference between high and low tides on some days. Within a span of two weeks, the Murderkill River – a federally-authorized navigation project that requires periodic dredging to maintain the safety of and navigable access to the river – had the open channel critically important to commercial and emergency vessels as well as recreational boating.
“DNREC’s Waterway Management Program is pleased with the completion and outcome of the Murderkill project, as well as the Delaware City Mooring Basin dredging project, which also was completed near the end of August,” said DNREC Shoreline and Waterway Management Section administrator Jesse Hayden. “We aim to keep momentum going from these two important dredging projects by today publishing a bid opportunity for dredging at White Creek, and as we continue the engineering phase of several other waterway projects to be undertaken by DNREC in the near future.”
About DNREC The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship develops and implements innovative watershed assessment, monitoring and implementation activities. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.
Media contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov or Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov
Related Topics: DNREC Shoreline and Waterway Management Section, Dredging, Murderkill River, White Creek
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
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