Have you ever thought that we could paddle in safe waters and stay away from the rough open ocean by using the Intracoastal Waterway?
If you have never heard about the Intracoastal Waterway, then it is time to discover new information today!
Let’s get started!
Is the Intracoastal Waterway Natural or Man-Made?
The Intracoastal Waterway is a man-made waterway.
It is an artificial waterway built along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.
Its Length 2982 thousand miles.
The channel consists of two parts, separated by the Florida Peninsula: Mexican (from Brownsville, Texas, to Apalachicola, Florida) and Atlantic (from Miami, Florida, to Boston, Massachusetts).
It was originally planned as a single waterway from New York to Brownsville, but the connecting canal in northern Florida was never completed.
Partially, it passes through bays, lagoons, and rivers (for example, along Pamlico Sound and Albemarle Sound), and in many places, it is connected to inland waterways.
The U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for maintaining the waterway.
Although the waterway was first built for barge traffic, recreational boats now make up the majority of its users.
Is the Intracoastal Waterway Freshwater or Saltwater?
It is a mixture of fresh and salt water due to ocean tidal currents.
Natural inlets, saltwater rivers, bays, and man-made canals all make up the Intracoastal Waterway.
This waterway is crucial because it allows boats to navigate the Atlantic and Gulf coasts without being exposed to the dangers of the open ocean.
How Was the Intracoastal Waterway Built?
Even in colonial days, the protected seas around the East Coast were significant.
Albert Gallatin, the Treasury Secretary, suggested building a network of canals to connect Boston Harbor in Massachusetts with Brownsville Harbor in Texas in 1808.
Bulk cargo transportation was required during World War I.
The Intracoastal Waterway regained importance when freight was transported at a low cost using barges.
The Intracoastal Waterway was utilized to steer clear of German submarines along the East Coast during World War II.
It was designed for the passage of river vessels.
In many areas, it is capable of passing deep-sea vessels.
Includes both natural water bodies (bays, ponds, and rivers) and canals.
In many places, there is a connection with inner waterways (in particular, the Mississippi).
ICW consists of two isolated branches: Mexican (from Brownsville (Texas) to Apalachicola (Florida)) and Atlantic (from Boston (Massachusetts) to Miami (Florida).
Initially, it was planned to lay a single waterway between New York and Brownsville, but the canal to South Florida was never built.
The Mexican branch transports oil and oil products, chemicals, pipes, and other products for the oil industry.
On the Atlantic branch: wood, paper, oil products…
How Deep is the Intercoastal Water?
The depth in the main sections is from 9 to 19 feet; the minimum is 7 feet (Dismal Swamp Channel)..
The channel is used mainly by river vessels, with the exception of some sections along the Atlantic coast, which can receive sea vessels.
Is It Safe to Swim in the Intracoastal Waterway?
No.
There are sections of the ICW where the water is the color of coke, particularly in South Carolina.
Though the water is supposedly clean, I wouldn’t swim in it.
Gators can be seen in numerous areas of the ICW from South Carolina north.
On the ICW, there are a number of oceanfront anchorages where you can anchor, dinghy to shore, traverse a dune, and go for a swim in the large pond.
Florida’s Peck Lake is one such location.
Why is the Intercoastal Water Brown?
Along the Atlantic Ocean’s North American coast, the water along the beach is frequently brown.
This is because along that shore, a lot of silt gets disturbed and drawn into solution.
ICW Marine Life: Is the Intracoastal Waterway Good For Fishing?
No.
The ICW doesn’t offer many good places for fishing.
Soil particles make the water cloudy and cause inconvenience to the fish.
An increase in the water level and a large amount of dirt in the water cause the fish to change their behavior.
Soil particles clog the gills and make it difficult for the fish to breathe.
To avoid this, it rises to the upper reaches or enters small tributaries.
Smaller reservoirs are less polluted.
During the rise of the water, the current intensifies and does not allow the turbidity to settle, so the fish cling to the shore and places with stagnant water.
In backwaters and places with calm water, soil particles settle faster than on a stream.
You need to look for fish in places with calm water, in flooded shallow waters with last year’s grass, or in calm places near tributaries.
It is important to remember that in muddy water, fish avoid strong currents and prefer places near the shore or the confluence of a small tributary with a river.
What Kind of Fish are There?
ICW is a mixture of fresh and salt water due to ocean tidal currents.
That is why freshwater species, together with marine wanders, are found in the ICW.
Blue tilapia is also quite common.
Perch are caught in warm weather.
It migrates in search of food, so it can be caught with live bait from the shore.
The spotted sunfish, or stumpknocker, is often overlooked due to the larger panfish.
The spotted sunfish is of sporting interest to anglers because of its activity during the fight.
Its most habitual habitats are in the roots of thickets near the coast.
Striped bass, white bass, and sun bass inhabit the ICW and its tributaries.
In the summer, striped bass become less active and prefer closed channels in water bodies.
Herring is caught from autumn to spring, when the fish are actively feeding.
An adult fish can weigh up to 132 pounds.
They fish for herring in the ICW close to the St.
Johns River, from the bridge on stilts in Jacksonville, and on the Wekiva River.
Catfish are distinguished by a very perky disposition.
The most interesting thing is to get it out of the water.
Catfish live in the ICW all year.
Are There Alligators in the ICW?
Yes.
Alligators become more active with warmer weather, and their mating season lasts from April to the end of June.
They will also tan by warming their body temperature.
They are more aggressive during mating season.
So there are things you need to remember if you encounter an alligator.
Not only will alligators not chase you for long distances on land, but they won’t attack you at all.
Alligators prefer light food.
They are patient hunters and will chase their prey through the water for hours before attacking.
Does the Intercoastal Waterway Have Sharks?
Yes.
Do not be surprised if you see a small shark on the hook at the mouth of the river.
Most of the fish in Florida’s waters are predators or omnivores, so bait of animal origin is considered universal bait.
There are also piranhas in the ICW, but it is better to go fishing on such a dangerous journey accompanied by an experienced guide.
They catch a predator from a motor boat with an ordinary fishing rod and fresh fish bait.
It is enough just to lower the bait as the bite begins, but pulling piranhas out of the water is a very exciting experience.
Are There Dolphins in The Intercoastal Waterway?
Yes, dolphins frequently enter the St.
Johns River or Intracoastal Waterway.
They might approach your kayak or canoe to observe you.
Bottlenose dolphins can grow to be up to eight or nine feet long and 400 to 500 pounds in weight.
