Cold Spring (Cape May) Inlet

USACE Philadelphia District
Published Feb. 23, 2023
Cold Spring Inlet Project Index Map

Cold Spring Inlet Project Index Map

The Cold Spring Inlet maintenance project provides for a safe navigation channel for commercial and recreational fishing and U.S. Coast Guard use.

The Cold Spring Inlet maintenance project provides for a safe navigation channel for commercial and recreational fishing and U.S. Coast Guard use.

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS: NJ-2

APPROPRIATION / PHASE: Operation & Maintenance, General

BUSINESS PROGRAM: Navigation

LOCATION:  In Cape May County, between the southwest end of Five Mile Island and the US Coast Guard Base, Cape May.

DESCRIPTION: This project provides for an entrance channel 25 feet deep and 400 feet wide, protected by two parallel stone jetties, and extending from the 25-foot depth curve in the ocean to a line 500 feet landward of a line joining the inner ends of the jetties; thence 20 feet deep and 300 feet wide to deep water in Cape May Harbor. The total length of the section included in the project is about 2 1/4 miles. Funds are used for channel surveys and maintenance dredging. This authorized project provides a safe navigation channel for commercial, recreational and US Coast Guard use.  The USCG, Station Cape May uses this federal channel to conduct critical life safety operations.  The channel supports the commercial fishing industry, specifically the largest Fishery Landing in NJ (13th largest in the US), contributing $81M/year in direct fish value and over $300M in economic value to the region.  

PROJECT GOALS: The purpose of this project is to provide a safe navigation channel for commercial, recreational and US Coast Guard. 

COMMENTS: This authorized project provides a safe navigation channel for commercial, recreational and US Coast Guard use.  The USCG, Station Cape May uses this federal channel to conduct critical life safety operations.  The channel supports the commercial fishing industry, specifically the largest Fishery Landing in NJ (13th largest in the US), contributing $81M/year in direct fish value and over $300M in economic value to the region.  The purpose of this project is to provide a safe navigation channel for commercial, recreational and US Coast Guard. 

PROJECT MANAGER: Monica A. Chasten