Sandy Point Park Closed To Swimmers As Crews Clear Debris

ANNAPOLIS, MD — After heavy rains across Pennsylvania and Maryland last week sent trees and other debris into the Chesapeake Bay, crews on land and boat have worked to clear hazards and muck from channels and beaches. Two beaches in Anne Arundel County are closed because of debris.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources said no swimming will be allowed at Sandy Point State Park until further notice. The immediate closure was caused by safety concerns over the large amounts of debris being deposited on the beach, and floating immediately offshore, from the recent heavy rains, the department said.

The park and sandy portion of the beach will remain open to the public for other activities, including shoreline fishing. Boaters may continue to launch from the park's boat ramps, but are urged to use caution and remain vigilant for floating and submerged debris.

And the Anne Arundel County Department of Health said the Fort Smallwood Park Swimming Beach is also closed until further notice. The agency warns that any local community beach with debris is not safe for swimming and other direct water contact until the debris stops washing ashore, a cleanup has been done and the water clears.

The Department of Health urges people coming in contact with the affected water to wash well with soap and warm water immediately.

Maryland Park Service staff is removing debris, but more is expected to come onshore as it moves down the bay.

The DNR's buoy and debris response vessel, the R.P. Gaudette, was out Tuesday picking up trees and huge tires in Anne Arundel County waters.

Warnings continue for boaters to use extreme caution if they venture out into the waters of Chesapeake Bay after last week's deluges sent debris downstream. Annapolis Harbormaster crews worked Monday to clear the waterways. "Please be safe navigating the Chesapeake and its tributaries, especially after dark when these trees/pipes/8 ft long logs cannot be seen easily. As always, wear your life jacket," the city said.

Swimming is not recommended at Sandy Point State Park's beach as hazards wash up, Maryland Natural Resources Police said.

The utility company Exelon opened several gates at the Conowingo Dam to manage the increased flow of the Susquehanna River after several days of heavy rain. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reported that record amounts of rain produced historic flows at the dam — more than 300,000 cubic feet per second — and warned people to avoid the water downstream.

Dangerous debris is on the surface of bay waters and lurks just below. "Go slow. Double your lookout. Wear your life jacket," the Department of Natural Resources said Monday.

Maryland State Parks officials said on Facebook that crews will clean up driftwood and other debris as the tides bring the mess in at Sandy Point and other sites.

Photos from the City of Annapolis and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources; video from the city of Annapolis