Mud Buoy

[Billfish715]

Incredibly low tide in Shark River. If that green marker is someone's waypoint or if it's on a GPS chart, you're in trouble. If the river area is not dredged, the flounder will like the shallow water this spring because it will warm up very quickly. The boaters, on the other hand might have some problems getting back to their docks.

[NoLimit]

What a mess. It seems like the problems at SR are never ending.

[hammer4reel]

Those pics should be sent to the governors office so they don't pay the dredging company a dime

[Billfish715]

So, should anyone with a Shark River navigational chart now get a new one? Imagine coming out from the back channel and seeing that green marker which is supposed to be on the edge of the deep water only to find that it is quite a distance onto the flats. Can you say ruined lower unit? Can you say hitting the mud and being thrown overboard?

If you run your boat out of the back of Shark River, be very, very careful.......or look for a new marina. The sad thing is that no one will "man up" for the condition of the river channel and no one will take responsibility when someone has an accident there.

Only the seagulls are loving the mud, based on the numbers of clams and mussels they are dropping on the parking areas and docks to crack open.

[dakota560]

Whoever is overseeing this project, DOT or otherwise, should have someone over seeing every phase. Feels like it's been a cluster from day one with delays. Sending pictures to the appropriate agency is a good idea to serve notice. If anyone has property damage (lower unit) or God forbid gets hurt or killed being thrown overboard, I'd sue the dredge company and whoever was responsible for work being done. If the project is completed and this is the extent of the reparation, someone needs to be sued. Aside from the inconvenience it creates, this is an enormous safety hazard which truthfully appears to have gotten worse as a result of the work performed.

Is there anyone close enough to the area or familiar enough with the project who might know which Agency Federal or State is responsible for the project? Will definitely send the pictures posted and write a scathing email putting them on notice.

[CaptMarc]

I don't know what kind of equipment they used, but if you go to Manasquan River, the equipment is larger a pushing lots of sediment out. Not that it helps now but they are supposedly putting in new markers soon. I agree with everything said. I went out while they were dredging that stretch. Went out by the points I had, no problem going out but couldn't replicate the channel coming back. I think they need to get back over there now. They are in front of Shark River Municipal now.

[Billfish715]

There are many times when we have had to adjust our return to the dock based on the amount of water in our slip at low tide. I can understand the low water situation in a slip but not in a well-traveled channel. I was hoping that stretch north of the gas docks would have been dredged and widened. The municipal marina isn't affected but the rest of the marinas in the back are getting the short end.

If the CG moves that green marker closer to the deeper water, it will show just how narrow that channel has become. If there was a market for all of that sediment, that river and it's mudflats would be a gold mine.

[beerbelly]

get a slip in the municible marina

[Capt. Debbie]

It would be great if you could. But charts are snap shots from a certain past date.

Also most charts do not list channel depths like outside the channel. Many just list a comment on typical law water channel depth.

I used to run out of Shark River Hills marina when it was a Chris Craft dealer run by the Oliver family. It sucked back in the 1990's too. Even their docks back there have little water and you have to hug the T head of the dock because 20 yards off the T head you will run aground.

Compound that with a 5-6 foot tidal drop on fixed docks. A very problemed place to boat from.



So, should anyone with a Shark River navigational chart now get a new one? .

[bartman27]

hello all - my boat is in the bay at the end of the north cut - it is an older single screw 34 foot boat. i use the bay and those channels all year round. last year during dead low there was not enough water in the channel for me to pass and i did run around by that green marker and was stuck for an hour - the channel is now about 2 feet deeper - not much at all and how long it will last has yet to be seen - i was just there today and the dredging company is removing all its equipment from the belmar marina parking lot - they have a big crane and they are lifting it - in my opinion a HUGE amount of money was spent for almost nothing!!! to be honest the only ones who benefited are the dredging company employees who always seem to be around with their hard hats on talking on their phones - they did have a small dredge out there for a couple months but the channel is not in anyway greatly improved - it seems this has been an uphill battle from the start - there is a limited time that the dredging can be done due to the winter flounder, the towns dont want the stuff stored or trucked through them - the operation needed to really make this better would have to be bigger, bigger equipment and more of it. I have been told even the mud they were pumping could not be compressed properly - at least i now have a little more water in the channel i travel thru - the people in the very back of the bay have gotten no improvement at all - This is a real example of how nothing can be done correctly in NJ because to many rules, regulations, people who dont want the project because they dont make enough money from it and to do it right would cost a lot more - Manasquan equipment is much bigger and better, and that is not surprising if you think about it - i remember when they had that meeting in front of the Neptune Marina in the parking lot - all the newspaper people were there covering the story, they even set up chairs - where r they now? - no where to be found because the politics i am sure are not correct....

[Billfish715]

Here is a response that I received from the Shark River Cleanup Coalition.
There are also two links for those of you who want to contact the state division of coastal engineering about conditions where you do your boating. There is also a link to the permit application for the project. The last time a dredging permit was apparently applied for was 1982!

Good morning Bill

We are awaiting a response back from the DOT.

I had asked some of your same questions last weekend.
So far they told me that they will be getting the after dredged survey report
and that the channel markers would be back in place around the end of February.

Thanks for sending the pictures that show the permanent markers fully exposed.
I will be staying on top of this and will get back to you
Thanks

John F. Dempsey


Save Shark River
Division of Shark River Cleanup Coalition


http://www.nj.gov/dep/shoreprotection/dredging.htm

http://www.nj.gov/dep/shoreprotection/aids.htm

http://sharkriver.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/DredgingPermitApplication-May2015Update.pdf

[Rocky]

Here is a response that I received from the Shark River Cleanup Coalition.
There are also two links for those of you who want to contact the state division of coastal engineering about conditions where you do your boating. There is also a link to the permit application for the project. The last time a dredging permit was apparently applied for was 1982!

Good morning Bill

We are awaiting a response back from the DOT.

I had asked some of your same questions last weekend.
So far they told me that they will be getting the after dredged survey report
and that the channel markers would be back in place around the end of February.

Thanks for sending the pictures that show the permanent markers fully exposed.
I will be staying on top of this and will get back to you
Thanks

John F. Dempsey


Save Shark River
Division of Shark River Cleanup Coalition


http://www.nj.gov/dep/shoreprotection/dredging.htm

http://www.nj.gov/dep/shoreprotection/aids.htm

http://sharkriver.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/DredgingPermitApplication-May2015Update.pdf


Thanks for keeping us updated.

[hammer4reel]

Had a friend send this link to the save shark river association.
as they posted on their facebook page that the work has been almost completed.


heres what they were told ,


Shark River dredging updated info Jan 2017
The Shark River dredging has ended.
(first time since 1982,about 20 years overdue)
But there are some very important OPEN issues that still need to be resolved.
We have been in contact with the state officials and they assured me that the channel markers and buoys will be realigned as needed for the SAFETY of the boaters. We are awaiting the Official post dredging survey report but here is the early feedback.
The Historic NJDOT channels are now 75’ wide.
(about 6 x’s wider then the last 8 years) and the average
depth 6’ @ mean low tide. ( better than the 2’ previous average).
There are some areas where the depth may be only 3-4’ and others 7’ deep but they will start to break down to average depths as mother nature pushes thru & levels with each tide change.
This so far looks good.
The back spur that runs alongside S Riverside Drive in the Hills has also been completed.
Here are some of the open issues
NJ DEP ATON ( Aids to Navigation) channel markers will be back in place in the next 6-8 weeks to help guide the new way.
(again for safety) Do not use the ones in place.
You may notice a change from your previous GPS tracking marks. Please take caution until the new markers are in place.
We will release more updates after the Official Report is completed.
Thank you for your inputs on this project.
Remember this is not a fully completed job or report.









.

[Billfish715]

I've heard parts of the preliminary report as well. The permit and the report reference historic channel widths/depths. Now the width of the channel is wider than it has been in years. So, was that permanent green marker moved when the channel became narrower? If it marked the historical boundary of the channel and the channel has now been restored to its original boundaries, why is it still sticking out of the mud? Was that marker ever a part of the historical channel or not?

If they move the markers then the markers were in the wrong place for years. I can't see how the channel became wider after the dredging in that spot when the marker shows that it still marks the mud.

Let the DOT explain the picture.

[hammer4reel]

I've heard parts of the preliminary report as well. The permit and the report reference historic channel widths/depths. Now the width of the channel is wider than it has been in years. So, was that permanent green marker moved when the channel became narrower? If it marked the historical boundary of the channel and the channel has now been restored to its original boundaries, why is it still sticking out of the mud? Was that marker ever a part of the historical channel or not?

If they move the markers then the markers were in the wrong place for years. I can't see how the channel became wider after the dredging in that spot when the marker shows that it still marks the mud.

Let the DOT explain the picture.


hopefully your pics allow those involved with paying this contract take notice.

First off the contract was for 85' not 75 .
I believe all the triple wood buoys were the historical markers.
Our marine GPS are marked with the historical data.
channel running between the north and south channels has been in the same place for the last 30 plus years I fished there.
the triangle they dug at the spur is def way further SW than shown on my GPS charts.
And what makes them think that the high spots will just level out instead of allowing deposits to quickly fill in behind them,
WHole river needs an overhaul,
and the over the road tax we pay on gas there is probably well into the millions seasonaly , ( and now 23 cents a gallon higher than the orig 45)
so they cant claim the money out weighs the need.
Sucks that the river is mostly a parking lot of sediment .



.

[Billfish715]

I agree. Somebody at DOT has some 'splainin' to do. Hopefully the pictures will speak to the issue. Any bureaucrat can talk to a report that someone wrote for him but when confronted with a picture, he suddenly turns into Jackie Gleason......hummada, hummada! It would be irresponsible to ignore this if someone is negligent, took the money and didn't complete the job correctly. I know there were deadlines and time limits and restrictions set by many groups including the EPA. Those limits don't excuse shoddy and incomplete results. Thank you to the Shark River Coalition for staying on top of this.

The tidal flow/current is not swift enough to sweep the silt out of the channel and keep it clear back there. You are correct. More silt will be deposited because the bend in the channel disrupts the flow. Maybe a new channel should be cut from that green marker back to Shark River Hills in a straight line to encourage more current flow to the back. Wait! Excuse me! I must have been dreaming.

[dfish28]

Shark River needs more than just dredging, any salt should know it needs "current management" meaning: pile some of the dredged material up where its always mud, cap it with some sand, and add some rip rap at the tidal edge to increase flow,basically change the force from a fan spray to a jet, through the actual channels to maintain them, on a side note, the channel is probably not even close to 50' wide and they missed a whole section on the north end of the seaview island channel, wants me to get out there and survey the channel myself, but my boat is on the dry and needs lotta love to get wet again:(

[hammer4reel]

Be nice if someone set up a petition to not allow these guys to be paid in full until the job is done correctly .

River needs an overhaul and with the amount of boats using it .it should be done .
Can only dream how good the fishery could be if they actually dredged the river in total ,not just the channels

[bartman27]

here are some photos from today - with a whole 2.6 feet of water under the boat - and yes that green buoy is standing straight up on its anchor

[Billfish715]

I wouldn't be surprised to see day markers along that channel pretty soon. Was your depth recording taken from the middle of the channel at low tide or closer to the edge? That condition is unforgivable at best and could be criminal if someone has an accident. The question becomes, "Who is to blame?"

[bartman27]

I can believe these guys got paid for this - i mean come on!!!!! If you hired someone to do this job for you, would any of us have paid them - they just took the money... i cant wait to see the markers to be set.. I believe it is a state or federal agency that sets the buoys. The channel is SUPPOSE to be a certain depth at low tide, i am sure it will not pass at 3 feet or less - another year of dragging bottom, bending props - NJ - the state where nothing can get done correctly the first time EVER

Everyone involved should be proud of themselves

bm

[bartman27]

here is their dredge map - total story telling - notice the end is left out - when did they do this map At high tide?

[Billfish715]

So they apparently only dredged a narrow swath down the middle. A short distance out from the center is still a mud flat at low tide. I guess the project wasn't contracted to do a thorough job but only a job! I am aware that one of the limiting factors was someone's concern that a more aggressive extraction of mud would impact the shellfish in and adjacent to the channel.

I guess the absence of accurate markers and dangerous low water conditions act as speed bumps to curtail excessive speed in that area. In any case, what a rip off! This project was supervised by the Division of Transpotation. What did we expect? That's the same division which can't even maintain the roads.

[bartman27]

came thru yesterday - 2.9 feet of water in channel - how can this be considered a finished job - what did they even do?????? - why did they get paid??? am i the only person that cares? - they buoys are not on old tracks, be careful. amazing how the government bodies involved just stay silent - how much money was wasted!!!!!!

[hammer4reel]

best thing to do is everyone contact the dept of transportation and copy the governor asking why this job is considered complete,. its going to take a bunch of angry people to possibly get it looked into

[HOUND DOG]

Do they expect to install the ATONS to mark channels? Looks like I will have keep gas tanks empty and drive all the gear and people to Belmar and pick them up at gas dock. I need 3' of water and a few times on the West wind it was bad, I cant wait to see it now.

[Billfish715]

Try contacting Susanne Cervenka at the Asbury Park Press. She reported on the project at a news conference held in the Belmar Municipal Marina before the project started. By showing some interest in the present state of affairs, she is likely to help call attention to the problem.

Susanne Cervenka scervenka@gannettnj.com

You can also direct questions to John Dempsey with the Shark River Coalition
john.dempseyiv@gmail.com

[HOUND DOG]

E mail sent

[Slip It In]

I will also be sending an email out tomorrow at the latest.

I splash in this weekend, if i have a chance i will get a few sonar pics of channels.

[bartman27]

i went thru the channel on sunday 03/26/2017 - as you can see i am going thru the section that the dredge spent most of its time on - the new buoys are in place - the water is missing - i was pushing mud - i have more photos of the 2.9 feet of water most of the section was in depth - for some reason i cant upload at this time - you would think this is newsworthy seeing all the money that was taken and the communities getting nothing in return bm will post the photos asap

[bartman27]

here is another photo of the depth on Sunday 03/26/2017 - again you can see this is where the dredge spent the majority of the time and this is in the new channel as marked by the new buoys - if it is this bad now , what will it be in three months - what did they do???????? - who is the person that said this was acceptable????? - come on already????? how much money was wasted on this project????? - why is the Shark River Coalition not upset about this situation? Can anyone give me an answer?

bm

[Slip It In]

Got the boat in Sunday and took a ride little before high tide. I forgot my phone but was very disappointed with the arrangement of the channel by the Belmar fuel docks. I believe that the last set of channel cans are about 10 feet wide at most. Absolutely no way to put 2 boats through there at the same time. So there is no way that the dredging project fulfilled their width dredging. If I was following the marked channel I was recording depth readings around 8.5-9 feet. So if I was about 1 foot lower than high tide then high tide readings would have been 9.5-10 feet, and with a 5 to 5.5 foot tide change in that river that would leave about 4 feet at low tide. Which was what it was last year. If anything it is now worse that it was last year, due to to the width shrinking.

Also I was driving around the fuel dock area channel cans and found that if you move out of the marked channel the depth comes up very quickly. I saw 5 foot readings very close to channel marker cans, at close to high tide!! Basically now we have 2 confirmed boaters going through the channel with very close readings and both very disappointed in the 7million taxpaying dollars wasted.

I will be down there this week and will get pics.

[HOUND DOG]

I have a 11'6" beam will it fit in the markers? Cant wait for summer traffic and people fishing the channels.

[Slip It In]

I have a 11'6" beam will it fit in the markers? Cant wait for summer traffic and people fishing the channels.

Sorry for the typo. Was trying to say there was only 10 feel left. So around 20 feet wide total.

[Billfish715]

John Dempsey from the Shark River Coalition emailed me with information about his quest for answers to the dredging concerns in Shark River. He was able to contact the Asbury Park Press about doing a follow up to the project and the channel markers and depth. Let's see where it goes. In the meantime, does anyone have any updates? Is it worth pursuing?

[Slip It In]

I have also been trading some emails with John Dempsey. I was also able to send some pictures of my GPS and Sonar last weekend. If I could figure out how to post a picture here I would.

[Gerry Zagorski]

From our FAQs http://www.njfishing.com/forums/faq.php?faq=vb_faq#faq_new_faq_item

[Slip It In]

Thank you Gerry.

[hammer4reel]

I , as well as a few friends emailed the Governors office approx 2 weeks ago.
Have not heard a peep back