DREDGE the LITTLE WICOMICO RIVER JETTY, VIRGINIA!
The Issue
The Issue
Updated June 25, 2026
The Little Wicomico River is a 9-mile tidal waterway with more than 123 miles of shoreline located where the Potomac River meets the Chesapeake Bay. For more than 420 years, the river has provided safe navigation and access to the Bay for families, watermen, businesses, and visitors.
In 1935, the Little Wicomico River entrance was authorized by Congress as a federal navigation channel. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers designed the project with an 8-foot-deep, 150-foot-wide channel protected by stone jetties, providing a vital connection between the Chesapeake Bay and the Little Wicomico River.
Today, however, the entrance channel at Smith Point is dangerously shoaled. Last dredged in 2014, portions of the channel have been reported at less than 3 feet deep, while much of the authorized channel is no longer navigable.
More than 1,555 supporters—including watermen, oyster growers, charter captains, marina operators, emergency responders, business owners, and Virginians across the Commonwealth—have helped demonstrate the importance of the Little Wicomico River and preserving safe access to the Chesapeake Bay, one of Virginia's greatest natural assets and a cornerstone of the Commonwealth's maritime economy and heritage.
Recent Progress
On February 24, 2026, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) approved $2.6 million in emergency dredging funding for the project.
On June 23, 2026, VMRC approved Permit Application #20252813, an important milestone toward restoring safe navigation through the Little Wicomico River entrance.
In addition, the recently adopted Virginia budget specifically identifies the Little Wicomico River project and reserves $2 million within the Virginia Waterway Maintenance Fund (VWMF) for the project.
This does not reduce the $2.6 million in emergency dredging funding previously approved by VMRC. Rather, it formally identifies the Little Wicomico River project in the state budget and reserves funding within the VWMF specifically for this effort, demonstrating continued support from the Commonwealth for moving the project forward.
⚠️ What's at Stake?
• Safe navigation for users of 3+ marinas and approximately 800 docks, ramps, and waterfront facilities serving thousands of homes and visitors
• Access for local watermen, oyster growers, seafood businesses, and charter boat operators
• Public safety. Smith Point Sea Rescue was forced to relocate its most capable rescue vessel approximately 10 miles away because shoaling prevented reliable access to the Chesapeake Bay.
• Economic impacts to marinas, marine service providers, waterfront businesses, and tourism
• Chesapeake Bay ecology, including more than 650 acres of oyster operations that support both commercial production and Bay restoration efforts
Recent groundings and rescue incidents near the jetties including over the recent Memorial Day holiday demonstrate that this remains an active public safety concern.
What Happens Next?
Large infrastructure projects move forward in phases.
The next step on the path to dredging is completion of the federal review process by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District.
The Corps is currently accepting public comments on the project:
Project Reference: NAO-2025-02108
https://rrs.usace.army.mil/rrs/public-notices?district=NAO&search=NAO-2025-02108
Looking ahead, additional work will be needed to assess the condition of the federal jetty structure, develop engineering plans, and pursue funding for long-term rehabilitation and repair from federal funds.
⚓ Progress Made. More Work Ahead. More Signatures Matter!
Public support remains critical as the project moves through federal review, emergency dredging, jetty assessment, and eventual repair.
Every signature demonstrates continued support for safe navigation, public safety, maritime commerce, and Chesapeake Bay access.
Please sign today.
Signers receive project updates automatically through the DTLW Change.org platform. No donation is required.
⚓ Let's Dredge — and Repair — the Little Wicomico River Jetty!
1,563
The Issue
The Issue
Updated June 25, 2026
The Little Wicomico River is a 9-mile tidal waterway with more than 123 miles of shoreline located where the Potomac River meets the Chesapeake Bay. For more than 420 years, the river has provided safe navigation and access to the Bay for families, watermen, businesses, and visitors.
In 1935, the Little Wicomico River entrance was authorized by Congress as a federal navigation channel. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers designed the project with an 8-foot-deep, 150-foot-wide channel protected by stone jetties, providing a vital connection between the Chesapeake Bay and the Little Wicomico River.
Today, however, the entrance channel at Smith Point is dangerously shoaled. Last dredged in 2014, portions of the channel have been reported at less than 3 feet deep, while much of the authorized channel is no longer navigable.
More than 1,555 supporters—including watermen, oyster growers, charter captains, marina operators, emergency responders, business owners, and Virginians across the Commonwealth—have helped demonstrate the importance of the Little Wicomico River and preserving safe access to the Chesapeake Bay, one of Virginia's greatest natural assets and a cornerstone of the Commonwealth's maritime economy and heritage.
Recent Progress
On February 24, 2026, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) approved $2.6 million in emergency dredging funding for the project.
On June 23, 2026, VMRC approved Permit Application #20252813, an important milestone toward restoring safe navigation through the Little Wicomico River entrance.
In addition, the recently adopted Virginia budget specifically identifies the Little Wicomico River project and reserves $2 million within the Virginia Waterway Maintenance Fund (VWMF) for the project.
This does not reduce the $2.6 million in emergency dredging funding previously approved by VMRC. Rather, it formally identifies the Little Wicomico River project in the state budget and reserves funding within the VWMF specifically for this effort, demonstrating continued support from the Commonwealth for moving the project forward.
⚠️ What's at Stake?
• Safe navigation for users of 3+ marinas and approximately 800 docks, ramps, and waterfront facilities serving thousands of homes and visitors
• Access for local watermen, oyster growers, seafood businesses, and charter boat operators
• Public safety. Smith Point Sea Rescue was forced to relocate its most capable rescue vessel approximately 10 miles away because shoaling prevented reliable access to the Chesapeake Bay.
• Economic impacts to marinas, marine service providers, waterfront businesses, and tourism
• Chesapeake Bay ecology, including more than 650 acres of oyster operations that support both commercial production and Bay restoration efforts
Recent groundings and rescue incidents near the jetties including over the recent Memorial Day holiday demonstrate that this remains an active public safety concern.
What Happens Next?
Large infrastructure projects move forward in phases.
The next step on the path to dredging is completion of the federal review process by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District.
The Corps is currently accepting public comments on the project:
Project Reference: NAO-2025-02108
https://rrs.usace.army.mil/rrs/public-notices?district=NAO&search=NAO-2025-02108
Looking ahead, additional work will be needed to assess the condition of the federal jetty structure, develop engineering plans, and pursue funding for long-term rehabilitation and repair from federal funds.
⚓ Progress Made. More Work Ahead. More Signatures Matter!
Public support remains critical as the project moves through federal review, emergency dredging, jetty assessment, and eventual repair.
Every signature demonstrates continued support for safe navigation, public safety, maritime commerce, and Chesapeake Bay access.
Please sign today.
Signers receive project updates automatically through the DTLW Change.org platform. No donation is required.
⚓ Let's Dredge — and Repair — the Little Wicomico River Jetty!
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Petition created on September 9, 2025