Corridor Visualization

Navigation Maps &
Critical Choke Points

High-resolution GIS modeling shows where legal dock extensions and the minimum barge maneuvering footprint intersect — and where they collide. Scroll each diagram to view full detail.

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How to read these diagrams: Each choke point shows two stacked views. View 1 maps the legal property line boundaries and channel extension limits. View 2 overlays the minimum maneuvering footprint of a utility barge. On mobile devices, scroll horizontally inside each image to see full detail.
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View 1 — Waterway Geometry & Extension Limits
Contours of upland property lines, measured distances into the channel, and the 25% and 30% waterway extension limits calculated from the BCPA property lines. Also shows the official USACOE channel toe line — illustrating how dock permits can legally extend beyond the federal navigation channel boundary.
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View 2 — Barge Maneuvering Simulation
A 60-foot wide red corridor marks the minimum required channel width. The USACOE channel boundary is shown in yellow. A sequence of green rectangles represents the full tow package: a 150′ × 50′ barge with a 30′ tug on the front and a 30′ tug on the back. Each green rectangle is the absolute minimum maneuvering footprint needed to safely transit the river.
Jump to: 1. Andrews Ave 2. East of Tunnel 3. Little Florida 4. The Wiggles
Choke Point 01

Andrews Avenue Crossing

The Andrews Ave bridge crossing is one of the most constrained sections of the navigation corridor. Bridge fenders, property line offsets on both banks, and accumulated vessel storage compress the functional river width. When dock extensions from both banks approach the 30% maximum, the remaining channel is insufficient for a utility barge transit.

→ Scroll image horizontally to see full detail
View 1 — Waterway Geometry & Extension Limits
↔ Scroll to pan Scale: 1″ = 60′
Source: MAB GIS / BCPA / USACOE
Andrews Avenue — Property line contours, 25% and 30% waterway extension limits, and USACOE channel toe line
Property line contours (BCPA), measured feet into the channel, 25% and 30% waterway extension limits, and the official USACOE channel toe line. Note: the 30% dock extension limit reaches well into the federally designated channel area.
View 2 — Barge Maneuvering Simulation
↔ Scroll to pan 150′ barge + two 30′ tugs
60′ min. corridor (red)
Andrews Avenue — Red 60-foot minimum channel, USACOE boundary, and green barge-plus-tug maneuvering footprint
Red corridor: 60-foot minimum navigable channel width. USACOE line: federal channel boundary. Green rectangles: the combined footprint of a 150′ × 50′ barge towed by a 30′ tug on the bow and a 30′ tug on the stern — the absolute minimum physical requirement for a safe utility barge transit.
Choke Point 02

East of the New River Tunnel

Just east of the Federal Highway (US-1) tunnel, vessel traffic converges from the downtown basin and the ICW approach. The barge simulation shows that the combined tow package occupies virtually the entire functional channel width. Any dock or vessel encroachment in this segment threatens the safety of vessels transitioning through this high-traffic section.

→ Scroll image horizontally to see full detail
View 1 — Waterway Geometry & Extension Limits
↔ Scroll to pan Scale: 1″ = 60′
Source: MAB GIS / BCPA / USACOE
East of Tunnel — Property line contours, 25% and 30% waterway extension limits, and USACOE channel toe line
Property line contours (BCPA), measured feet into the channel, 25% and 30% waterway extension limits, and the official USACOE channel toe line.
View 2 — Barge Maneuvering Simulation
↔ Scroll to pan 150′ barge + two 30′ tugs
60′ min. corridor (red)
East of Tunnel — Red 60-foot minimum channel, USACOE boundary, and green barge-plus-tug maneuvering footprint
Red corridor: 60-foot minimum navigable channel. Green rectangles: 150′ × 50′ barge with 30′ bow and stern tugs. The combined footprint leaves no margin for encroachment from either bank.
Choke Point 03

Little Florida Bend

"Little Florida" is a pronounced bend in the river with restricted sightlines and sharp curvature. Navigating a rigid tow through a bend requires a wider swept path than in a straightaway — the barge cannot simply turn within its own length. Dock extensions that appear acceptable in isolation become critical obstructions when the vessel must swing through the bend.

→ Scroll image horizontally to see full detail
View 1 — Waterway Geometry & Extension Limits
↔ Scroll to pan Scale: 1″ = 60′
Source: MAB GIS / BCPA / USACOE
Little Florida — Property line contours, 25% and 30% waterway extension limits, and USACOE channel toe line
Property line contours (BCPA), measured feet into the channel, 25% and 30% waterway extension limits, and the official USACOE channel toe line. Note the curvature of the USACOE line relative to the straight-line property boundary calculations.
View 2 — Barge Maneuvering Simulation
↔ Scroll to pan 150′ barge + two 30′ tugs
60′ min. corridor (red)
Little Florida — Red 60-foot minimum channel, USACOE boundary, and green barge-plus-tug maneuvering footprint
Red corridor: 60-foot minimum navigable channel. Green rectangles: 150′ × 50′ barge with 30′ bow and stern tugs. At this bend, the swept path of the barge exceeds the straight-line channel width — docks extended to the 30% limit eliminate all navigational margin.
Choke Point 04

The Wiggles (S-Curve)

"The Wiggles" is the most technically demanding segment of the New River — a series of successive sharp bends that require constant tow adjustments and clear sightlines ahead. The barge footprint simulation demonstrates that even in the current state of the channel, the tow package fits with minimal margin. Any additional dock or vessel encroachment renders this transit geometrically impossible.

→ Scroll image horizontally to see full detail
View 1 — Waterway Geometry & Extension Limits
↔ Scroll to pan Scale: 1″ = 60′
Source: MAB GIS / BCPA / USACOE
The Wiggles — Property line contours, 25% and 30% waterway extension limits, and USACOE channel toe line
View 2 — Barge Maneuvering Simulation
↔ Scroll to pan 150′ barge + two 30′ tugs
60′ min. corridor (red)
The Wiggles — Red 60-foot minimum channel, USACOE boundary, and green barge-plus-tug maneuvering footprint
The Path Forward

Geometry Does Not Negotiate.

These maps are not hypothetical. They represent existing legal dock extension limits applied to the current channel geometry. The solution is to formally designate Special Navigation Sections with defined minimum channel widths — aligning code with physics before an incident forces that decision under pressure.

Explore the Solutions Read the Q&A