Neabsco Creek Channel Officially Open After Dredging

WOODBRIDGE, VA—A little more than a year after "danger" signs were posted in the Neabsco Creek Channel because parts of it were too shallow for safe navigation by vessels, the channel was officially reopened during a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Prince William County Department of Economic Development announced Thursday, June 13, in a release that the channel has been restored to navigable depth as approved by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Said outgoing Prince William Board of County Corey Stewart in the release: "The Neabsco Creek Channel is an important ecosystem for our businesses. This project was based on a commitment and pledge to do what is right for our businesses, residents and visitors. It further demonstrates the power of public-private-partnerships, which was made possible by many state, county and business partners . . . "

As pointed out by the Washington Post in May 2018, a marine survey confirmed the water levels were too low, which had prompted the U.S. Coast Guard to warn away boaters with the "danger" signs at the waterway's entrance. The ensuing dredging was completed in February. Per Prince William County:

To get the channel back in shape, the Board of County Supervisors teamed up with the Virginia Port Authority and the newly formed Neabsco Creek, LLC, to get the dredging done.

The board authorized $725,325 in grant funding to dredge the creek, which is used by an estimated 1,000 boats docked and stored at four marinas along the creek. The Virginia Port Authority contributed $194,330 to the project, and Neabsco Creek LLC, a group of business owners along the creek, kicked in approximately $150,000 to dredge their marinas at the same time the channel was being dredged.