Upper Machodoc Creek Inlet

About

Introduction:

Upper Machodoc Creek is located on the Virginia side of the Potomac River south of the Dahlgren U.S. Navy Surface Weapons Center. Upper Machodoc Creek is four miles southwest of the Harry Nice/U.S. 301 Bridge and 11 miles northwest of Cobb Island.

The image above is a view from the east looking west over the opening to Upper Machodoc Creek. To the right (north) is the town of Dahlgren and the Dahlgren U.S. Navy Surface Weapons Center, while to the left (south), a small portion of Baber Point is visible. Just beyond the third point of land on the right side of the creek is Dahlgren Marine Works, which has transient slips, gas and diesel fuel, and a lift for haul-out and repairs.

Navigating the Water:

Use NOAA Chart 12285.

Upper Machodoc Creek is reached on an approach from west via the Potomac River. Special attention must be paid to the restricted areas in and around the Dahlgren Surface Weapons Center, as live testing is sometimes scheduled. There are often patrol boats in the area when this is occurring, so be sure to have your VHF tuned to 16 and 22A for updates.

From the Potomac River, set a course to intercept flashing green bell buoy “29,” which is located at waypoint N38 18.50 W076 59.48. Once you have picked up flashing green bell buoy “29,” head toward the west to start in toward the Upper Machodoc entrance channel at red nun buoy “2.”

From red nun buoy “2,” continue westward and follow in red nun buoy “4,” red nun buoy “6,” and then red daybeacon “8” and green daybeacon “9” at the creek’s entrance (these marks can be seen with a sharp eye in the image above).

Local Notices to Mariners:

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