Chicamuxen

[zelmo]

Navionics has the north point of the entrance to the Chicamuxen marked as a danger area, but it doesn't say what the problem is. What is the issue there?

Thanks

[HalBrown]

Could it be the point that sticks out a lot under water. I have never seen it on a really low tide and always go around it, but I have fished it several times and the bass love to hang out on the river side of that structure. The detonation area is at least 300 yds in from it on the left. Beyond that I have no clue.

[zelmo]

Detonation area?

[scotty34]

Detonation area?

Military test fires artillery there

[bill.s]

That point is real shallow at lower tides, swing wide to the south to go around. The USN does not fire guns there, mostly destroying used explosives from stuff they test like ejection set explosives, and other small stuff used on ships. If you want guns, go along the piers on the south shore. Fishing there about 10 yrs ago and a kid came out of the last house before the marsh that drains into the Chic and fired a small caliber rifle over our heads and it glanced off the water 30 or 40 yds away!!!!!!!!!!!! Called 911 and moved on.

[HalBrown]

Not artillery, the whole area on the left belongs to the U.S. Navy propellant plant and they burn propellant there. If you are fishing close to the area when they get ready to do it, a siren will sound and they will get on a speaker and tell you to move. I think they want you at least 100 yds away. Same deal in the Mattawoman at trash point on the left going in.

[zelmo]

Thank you. That explains the Navionics notation. If it was the shoal they would say that.

Here is what I found:

§ 334.240 Potomac River, Mattawoman Creek and Chicamuxen Creek; U.S. Naval Surface Weapons Center, Indian Head Division, Indian Head, Md.
(a)The danger zone. Beginning at a point on the easterly shore of the Potomac River at latitude 38°36′00″, longitude 77°11′00″; thence to latitude 38°34′30″; longitude 77°13′00″; thence to latitude 38°33′20″, longitude 77°14′20″; thence to latitude 38°32′20″, longitude 77°15′10″; thence to latitude 38°32′00″, longitude 77°15′00″; thence to latitude 38°32′30″, longitude 77°14′00″; thence to latitude 38°32′30″, longitude 77°14′00″; thence upstream along the easterly shoreline of Chicamuxen Creek to its head thence downstream along the westerly shoreline of Chicamuxen Creek to the southernmost point of Stump Neck; thence northeasterly along the shoreline of Stump Neck to the mouth of Mattawoman Creek; thence along the southeasterly shore of Mattawoman Creek to the pilings remaining from the footbridge connecting the left bank of the creek to the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division; thence along the northwesterly shore of Mattawoman Creek from the pilings remaining from the footbridge to the mouth of the creek; thence in a northeasterly direction along the easterly shore of the Potomac River to the point of beginning.
(b)The regulations.
(1) Firings consisting of controlled explosions within the danger zone, and controlled shore operations, or accidental explosions, hazardous to vessel traffic within the limits of the danger zone, may take place at any time of the day or night and on any day of the week.
(2) Flashing red lights, horns, and signs established at appropriate points will warn vessels of impending tests or operations considered to be hazardous to vessels within the danger zone.
(3) No persons or vessels except vessels of the United States or vessels authorized by the enforcing agency shall enter or remain in the danger zone while lights are flashing, when warning horns are in operation, or when warned or directed by a patrol vessel.
(4) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the use of Mattawoman Creek or Chicamuxen Creek as a harbor of refuge because of stress of weather.
(5) Except as prescribed in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, persons and vessels may enter and proceed through the danger zone without restriction. However, accidental explosions may occur at any time and persons and vessels entering the area do so at their own risk.
(6) Fishermen operating in the danger zone when warning signals are sounded shall evacuate the areaimmediately.
(7) The regulations in this section shall be enforced by the Commanding Officer, U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division, Indian Head, Maryland.
[ 26 FR 9748, Oct. 17, 1961, as amended at 48 FR 54598, Dec. 6, 1983. Redesignated at 50 FR 42696, Oct. 22, 1985, as amended at 62 FR 17552, Apr. 10, 1997]