Intracoastal Waterway Experiencing Shoaling After Weekend Rains

A problem caused by last month’s heavy rains has gotten worse after this weekend's rains.

The US Army Corps of Engineers say that area around that land dike that broke on the Intracoastal Waterway last month, is experiencing some significant shoaling.

Shoaling means sand is collecting on the bottom of the waterway.

Experts say the center of the channel is about 7-and-a-half feet deep, and its gets shallower as you move towards the southern bank.

The northern half of the Intracoastal seems to be relatively clear.

Army Corps officials say they plan to conduct emergency dredging and temporarily shore-up the land dike but their funding levels are low and they are currently requesting additional money.

A permanent fix will cost about 5-million dollars and isn't likely until November.

The Intracoastal is important because Bay County receives a lot of cargo shipped on the waterway, including the majority of this area's gasoline.
