. Coast watch. Marine resources; Oceanography; Coastal zone management; Coastal ecology. TOP TO BOTTOM: During the 1800s and early 1900s, many boats and barges went through the Dismal Swamp Canal at South Mills. • The canal, which is picturesque and serene, is lined with a variety of trees. • Several sailboats and a small yacht go through the locks at South Over the years, flaws in the canal's original concept and design have caused maintenance problems, according to the Army Corps. Water levels between Deep Creek and the canal's original end in Joyce's Creek were not correctly measure
. Coast watch. Marine resources; Oceanography; Coastal zone management; Coastal ecology. TOP TO BOTTOM: During the 1800s and early 1900s, many boats and barges went through the Dismal Swamp Canal at South Mills. • The canal, which is picturesque and serene, is lined with a variety of trees. • Several sailboats and a small yacht go through the locks at South Over the years, flaws in the canal's original concept and design have caused maintenance problems, according to the Army Corps. Water levels between Deep Creek and the canal's original end in Joyce's Creek were not correctly measured. Even with the Feeder Ditch that supplies water from Lake Drummond, the canal periodically has low water levels. If there is a drought, the canal can be shut down. "However, the Corps has not shut down the locks since 1999," says Peek. For 17 years before that, the canal shut down every fall for droughts, he adds. The locks at Deep Creek and at South Mills hold water between the two points, says Peek, the lockmaster who often entertains boaters by playing tunes on conch shells. "At Deep Creek, it is eight to 12 feet during high tide. At the point where South Mills comes through the Elizabeth River, it is eight feet — give or ; During hurricanes Floyd and Irene, the locks were used as dams, adds Peek. Despite rumors of ceasing the operation of the canal, the Corps has periodically dredged and cleared the canal to keep it open. In 2003, after Hurricane Isabel, the Corps' Norfolk district engineers cleared almost 700 downed trees and other debris. For the fiscal year 2006 that ends Sept. 30, federal funding will be used to operate and maintain the two locks, two bridges and three water-control structures, according to Joel Scussel, Army Corps civil engineer in Norfolk. "In addition, this funding will be used to maintain the 22-mile long canal, including snagging trees and dragging for underwater navigation obstructions," he adds. bnny Blu
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