Chesapeake City Harbor

Marinas near Chesapeake City Harbor

Introduction:

Chesapeake City is located on the western end of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal (C&D Canal), which is a 14-mile-long, 450-foot-wide and 35-foot-deep ship canal that cuts across the states of Maryland and Delaware, in the United States. It connects the Delaware River with the Chesapeake Bay and the Port of Baltimore. The C&D Canal is owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District. The project office in historic Chesapeake City, Maryland, is also the site of the C&D Canal Museum and Bethel Bridge Lighthouse. Chesapeake City has a couple of marinas and a large man-made basin for anchoring and tie ups.

History:

In the mid-1600s Augustine Herman, a Dutch envoy and mapmaker, observed that two great bodies of water, the Delaware River and Chesapeake Bay, were separated only by a narrow strip of land. Herman proposed that a waterway be built to connect the two. The canal would reduce, by nearly 300 miles, the water routes between Philadelphia and Baltimore.

The issue of constructing the waterway was raised again in 1788 by regional business leaders, including noted Philadelphians Benjamin Franklin and Benjamin Rush. In 1804 construction of the canal began including 14 locks to connect the Christina River in Delaware with the Elk River at Welch Point, Md. But the project was halted two years later for lack of funds.

In 1954 Congress authorized further expansion of the channel to 450 feet wide and 35 feet deep. These improvements began in the 1960s and were completed in the mid-1970s.

Navigating the Water:

Use NOAA Chart 12277.

The western end of the C&D Canal meets the Elk River and Back Creek at Welch Point about four miles west of Chesapeake City. The C&D Canal is a major commercial thorofare. In fact, it is a rare occasion that a C&D transit is made without seeing a large commercial vessel plying the canal waters. For this reason, a vigilant watch is required, and safe distances must be kept from all large commercial ships, tugs and barges.

The tide on the C&D Canal is of particular importance. There is a four-foot tidal difference at Reedy Point, and currents can run as high as two knots so we advise traveling on a favorable current. The flood tide runs easterly on the C&D and the ebb sets to the west. Consult a reliable tide chart before you plan your trip.

Once inside, it is only a matter of staying mid-channel and clearing the bridges. The Conrail Lift Bridge across the canal is typically left open unless rail traffic is present, and even then it has a closed vertical clearance of 45 feet. All the other bridges on the canal are fixed high vertical clearance spans.

Chesapeake City has an enclosed basin for anchoring, and there are two marinas that will allow tie ups. The entrance to the basin is a bit tricky; stay on the east side of the entrance to avoid the uncharted shoal.

Local Notices to Mariners:

Local Notices to Mariners are available online from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Things To Do/Local Events:

Chesapeake City’s historic area is on the National Historic Registry, as well as Maryland’s Historic Registry. The town has many restored historic homes, shops and galleries, featuring hand-painted originals and prints, antiques, collectibles, clothing, gifts and crafts. Additional sights include the Canal Museum, art galleries, summer concerts, boat tours, and tours of the nearby horse country. There are also many fine restaurants, bed and breakfasts, and transient/seasonal boat dockage availability. Chesapeake City’s Victorian charm has been featured in several national magazines, including Travel & Leisure, Coastal Living and Southern Living. Convenient to several large cities on the east coast, this historic village on the banks of the C&D Canal is a favorite spot for those seeking a weekend getaway or a vacation retreat.Chesapeake City

Helpful Links:

Chesapeake City

Chesapeake City Calendar of Events