Wheeling Plans Dock For Sternwheelers

The city of Wheeling, W.Va., plans to build a commercial boat dock for sternwheel cruises along the Ohio River.

The dock is to be built in the Wheeling Island main channel at Mile 90.58 in Wheeling and is necessary for mooring sternwheel cruise boats, according to the Department of the Army permit application filed with the Pittsburgh Engineer District.

Plans call for the dock to consist of one 30- by 8-foot and six 40- by 8-foot dock sections with a 20- by 4-foot gangway. The dock will total 2,650 square feet and extend 69 linear feet riverward into the Ohio River. Two sternwheel boats will operate from the dock, occupying a 120- by 50-foot and a 120- by 30-foot area on the riverward side of the dock. The dock, including the moored sternwheelers, will extend 113 linear feet into the Ohio River.

A crane barge, materials barge and towboat will be used to remove existing pilings and install new ones as well as to install the dock segments.

The dock would be located on the left descending bank at river Mile 90.58.

The application notes that the Corps’ permit decision will not be made until the West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection issues, denies or waives state certification.

The application was published on the Pittsburgh District’s website on March 6, and the public comment period extends to April 5.