Shrewsbury River Dredging Set To Begin In October

SHREWSBURY, NJ — Boaters who have been frustrated by sand shoals in the Shrewsbury River will finally see that addressed, after the state Department of Transportation announced dredging will begin sometime in October.

The dredging is Phase 1 of a two-part $1.3 million project to restore safe navigation in all state channels in the Shrewsbury basin, DOT officials said in a news release. It aims to remove sand deposited in the river as a result of Superstorm Sandy.

The work will be in portions of the Monmouth Beach Channel, Rumson Country Club Y Channel, and Oceanport Creek Entry Channel. An estimated 17,500 cubic yards of sand is expected to be removed from the three channels.

After removal of the shoals, the Monmouth Beach Channel will be restored to a depth of 6 feet in the previously shoaled area. The Rumson Country Club Y Channel and Oceanport Creek Channel will have depths of 5 feet and 4 feet, respectively, where they have experienced critical shoals, officials said.

Dredged sand will be put on the shore in Monmouth Beach between Park and Central Road. Temporary fencing will close off the portion of the beach where dredged material is actively being placed for safety. All other parts of the beach will remain open.

Channel use will be limited where the dredge is in operation and where the pipeline is carrying dredged material to its placement location. The project is intended to run on a 12-hour/5-days a week schedule (Monday through Friday) with a possibility of some Saturday and/or weekend work as the project progresses.

Due to strict federal and state regulations all dredging activities must be completed by Dec. 31.

Mariners should be advised that State Aids to Navigation (ATON) will be removed as necessary for the duration of the project. All mariners, including those utilizing human-powered craft, should be especially alert to project pipeline routes and crossings. Updates to the Local Notice to Mariners should be expected as the project progresses.

The public is advised to be aware of and stay alert to the pipeline, buoys, dredge and other equipment during this time. The DOT asks that no one approach the pipeline, dredge or any related project equipment under any circumstances, whether or not active dredging operations are observed.

Channel work will remove critical sand shoals in the three channels. Sediment that remains in the Shrewsbury basin cannot be dredged until access to a Confined Disposal Facility (CDF) can be acquired, officials said.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors, the DOT said.

Map of the Shrewsbury River via Google Maps