the delaware and salem rivers are tidal. the delaware river main channel has been maintained at a depth of . dredging to a depth of was completed in 2017. reach c, which includes the entrance to the salem port, was completed in 2010. the shipping channel of the salem river is much shallower, making the city a shallow draft port, which prohibits use by handymax class ships. the salem river and cut-off were first channelized in 1925 to a depth of . the river is entered though salem cove about from the atlantic ocean at the entrance of the delaware bay. the channel travels along the southeast side of the cove for and continues another to the cut-off and to the head of navigation at the first bridge crossing (route 49).