SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District has awarded a $9.6 million contract to Cottrell Contracting Corporation of Chesapeake, Virginia, to dredge the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal.
The project will remove about 90,000 cubic yards of sediment from the canal, stretching from the Freeman Highway Bridge south to its entrance at Rehoboth Bay. Sediment will be pumped to two placement sites along the canal’s northern section said the U.S. Army Corps.
Dredged sediment will be pumped to two dredged material placement sites along the northern section of the Canal. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
Work is currently scheduled to start in October 2026 but could begin as early as October 2025. Dredging has to take place between October and March to comply with environmental restrictions.
The Lewes and Rehoboth Canal is part of the “Inland Waterway from Rehoboth Bay to Delaware Bay” federal navigation channel. It supports commercial and recreational boating, research vessels and the Delaware Bay and River Cooperative, which handles oil spill response and cleanup in the Delaware River and Bay.
Fisherman's Wharf Owner H.D. Parsons says the shallowness of the canal poses a threat.
"Right now, the safety isn't there because of the depth of water. Somebody thinks they're in good shape and they speed the boat up. Next thing you know, they hit the bottom and people get hurt," said Parsons.
Conversely, Parsons notes that allowing water to flow better in the canal could lead to flooding.
Phil Goettel with the Freedom Boat Club says bridging the coast together is important for fun and business.
"Being able to connect Lewes, Rehoboth and Dewey and Long Neck, like kind of connecting all the towns is really important for boaters or fishermen, kayakers, paddleboarders, just about everybody," said Goettel.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently awarded a $8.1 million contract to begin dredging and beach replenishment along the Indian River Inlet once again. Under the new contract, crews will dredge about 550,000 cubic yards of sand from the offshore inlet system and place it on a stretch of beach north of the inlet.
