As erosion forces Snow’s Cut Park closure, nearby sites weigh added visitor demand

Erosion at Snow’s Cut isn’t a new issue.

“It’s been going on since 1929,” said Tara Duckworth, parks director for New Hanover County.

That’s when work began to create a navigation channel between the Cape Fear River and Myrtle Grove Sound. Duckworth said she’s been a part of ongoing conversations about the area for more than 10 years, as long as she’s been in her position.

“And they were taking place before then, too,” she said.

In about 90 years, Snow’s Cut has grown from 90 feet wide to more than 400, she said. That erosion, and safety and insurance concerns surrounding it, have led New Hanover County to permanently close the adjacent Snow’s Cut Park at 9420 River Road as of June 30.

Right now, the county leases the land from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, which has worked to mitigate the erosion as they’ve been able to over the years.

“As funding has become available from storm supplemental and other appropriations, the Wilmington District has stabilized several areas of shoreline along Snow’s Cut, predominately east of bridge,” said Dave Connolly, public affairs chief with the Corps.

Gallery:Photos of the Snow’s Cut erosion mitigation project

Its 2000 study found that Snow’s Cut erodes .7 acres per year. An estimated 46 acres have washed away since the channel opened. Stabilization efforts involved grading and placement of rip rap, which includes rock and other material, to prevent future erosion.

“To date, resources have been inadequate to address all areas along Snow’s Cut that experience erosion,” Connolly said.

Along the park, the erosion has formed steep embankments on the shoreline. The county has placed fences, and then higher fences, to keep people off these cliffs. But visitors often still find a way around them to access the water. Accidents and drownings are a hazard, and one of the reasons that the county’s insurance company said they would no longer provide liability insurance — the move that prompted the closure this year.

Erosion has also compromised the septic system. Weakened trees, and frequent storms, have added sinkholes, which are worsening the problem, Duckworth said.

“This has especially been a problem since Hurricane Florence,” she said. More trees have been lost since that 2018 storm, leading to more instability along the park’s shoreline. Repairing the septic system would mean the area would lose 40 more trees.

Although fewer people have been using the park in recent years, Snow’s Cut is a popular place for recreation. New Hanover plans to move some of the equipment there to River Road Park, located less than five miles away.

“It’s a great park and has similar amenities,” Duckworth said. The park at 6500 River Road has a canoe/kayak launch, fishing access, playground area, picnic shelters, picnic tables and restrooms.

But there are other parks closer to Snow’s Cut.

Bruce Oakley, Carolina Beach manager, believes Freeman Park, located at the end of the cut near the Atlantic Ocean, may see increased use as a result. That area, too, has had problems with erosion and access is often limited. Oakley said that re-nourishment of Freeman Park is a part of a three-year plan for the town.

Background:Will closures continue at Freeman Park?

On the other side of Snow’s Cut, there’s also Carolina Beach State Park.

Erosion has had some impact there.

“We have had to relocate some trails” said Chris Helms, superintendent. And while there is a campground close to the cut, it hasn’t impacted that area yet. The potential danger, though, is always a concern and signs about those hazards are posted in English and Spanish.

But Helms does think that they will see changes there after Snow’s Cut Park closes.

“Parking is already an issue in that area,” he said.

Part of the park’s longer-term plans include building more facilities there, including restrooms and a picnic area.

“It’s hard to say when that will happen, but I did pass on that we could be seeing more visitors,” he said. Helms hopes that could expedite those improvements.

Connolly said that after the county closes Snow’s Cut, the Corps will work more plans for the property.

“At this time, long term plans will not include sale of the property,” he said. Ideally, they would like to find another lessee who wants to continue use of the area for recreation.

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