The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has announced that the Scotton Landing boat ramp and fishing pier on the St. Jones River will be closed for reconstruction starting November 7, 2023. The facility, also known as Barkers Landing, is located off Trap Shooters Road near Magnolia. The project is expected to be completed by April 1, 2024, weather permitting.
The reconstruction will include a new boat ramp, a new courtesy dock, and a repaved parking lot. The fishing pier at Scotton Landing will also be closed during the reconstruction period. The design features for the new ramp will extend it into deeper water to assist boaters launching at low tide. The ramp will be supported by timber piles and protected from scouring with steel sheet piles. Additionally, a new L-shaped courtesy dock will be installed to allow for easier maneuverability in the river for launching and temporary mooring while boaters retrieve their vehicles.
During the closure of the Scotton Landing facility, the nearest alternative tidal boat ramps are the Lebanon Landing, also on the St. Jones River and in proximity to Magnolia, and the Bowers Beach Boat Ramps. For more information related to the Scotton Landing closure, the DNREC Fisheries Section can be contacted at 302-739-9914.