Dismal Swamp on the ICW

[makana]

Hi, anyone been thru the DSwamp recently, we draw 4 1/2 feet and have a 24 ft beam, catamaran, wondering if it's clear, any info appreciated, thanks.

[MarkJ]

4.5 feet draft is fine. But some friends wend down in monohulls (i was too deep) and they got branches from over hanging trees stuck in their rigging!!! So I dunno if a cat that big can do it

[AnchorageGuy]

No problem doing the Dismal Swamp. Cats much larger than yours have transited this season. You will find depths mostly 8 to 9 feet and the only way to tangle your rig is to run almost on the banks. There are some trees that overhang more, but they are easily avoided. Chuck

[sparrowhawk1]

I went down the Dismal Swamp about 5 years ago. I think I went too close to the sides to acquire my branches in the rigging . The scary part was there were several logs totally submerged that I hit pretty hard. I went late in the fall. After the first one I went from 6kts to 4knts but it's still scary to hit a log at four knots. I'm 6' draft monohull.

[AnchorageGuy]

I'm pretty sure the Corps of Engineers have cleared out any logs and debris that were in the canal 5 years ago. They do a pretty good job of keep the debris out. A report at either lock or the Welcome center results in a small boat response to the location and the logs, etc. are tie to the banks until the barge can come through and remove them. The most important issue is water depths and this is dependent on the water level in Lake Monroe. In year of drought, the levels in the canal are low. In rainy years, as it has been for a while now, the water levels are deep enough for most boats. Not to mention, the Harbor of Hospitality, Elizabeth City, at the south end. For us, the DS Canal route is a don't miss. We much prefer it to the Virginia Cut. But you can't be in a hurry. Chuck

[CaptainBW]

Contact the welcome center. Use google and then call them. They can give you a status of the canal. It was fine in late Oct.


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