There are numerous small-craft facilities on both sides of the river just below the bridge. Berthing, electricity, water, gasoline, diesel fuel, pump-out station, storage and marine supplies can be obtained at these marinas. Mobile lifts are available to 45-tons for hull and engine repairs.
Navigation:
Click the “Map View” button above to see a chart of this harbor.
Betterton is a village on the south side of Sassafras River 2 miles eastward of Howell Point.
The entrance to the Sassafras River is between Howell Point, marked by a light, and Grove Point, 3.5 miles east-northeastward; the entrance width normal to the channel is about 1 mile. The river is used by vessels drawing up to 12 feet, but the usual draft is 6 feet or less.
The river channel has depths of 13 feet, or more to a point 1 mile above the U.S. Route 213 bascule bridge, thence 7 to 3 feet for another 2 miles. The channel is broad and straight for the first 4 miles, then is narrow and crooked in places, but is marked as far as the highway bridge 10 miles above the mouth.
Turner Creek, on the south side of Sassafras River 4.5 miles above the mouth, has depths of at least 7 feet in the very narrow entrance and 5 feet for 0.6 mile upstream. The entrance is marked by a seasonal buoy. The creek has several small landings along its shores and is much traveled by local pleasure boats.
Kentmore Park is a small community on the south side of Sassafras River 5 miles above the mouth. The community wharf has depths of 7 feet at the upper end.
Fredericktown, on the north side, and Georgetown, on the south side of Sassafras River 10 miles above the mouth, are connected by a highway bridge that has a 40-foot bascule span with a clearance of 5 feet. The bridgetender monitors VHF channel 16 and works on channels 13 and 68. Many yachts and pleasure craft harbor here. The speed limit is 6 miles per hour in Sassafras River in an area extending about 0.5 mile above and 0.5 mile below the highway bridge.
