Harbor Management Commission

Overview

The Old Lyme Harbor Management Plan was among the first in the State to be approved by the DEP (now DEEP). The Old Lyme Harbor Ordinance was enacted in 1994 and revised in 1999. An ordinance enacting an Addendum to the Harbor Management Plan was adopted in 2009 to establish Harbor Use Zones and Dock Standards both Town wide and for each zone. This Addendum has been effective in protecting the natural resources of our waterways and tidal wetlands while enabling property owners to enjoy their right to water access with dock structures in compliance with the standards. Copies of the complete plan and related documentation are available on this site, and at the Memorial Town Hall.

The Old Lyme Harbor Management Commission provides two Town moorings for transient boaters and public use in the anchorage off the CT River north of Calves Island. The moorings, located toward the beginning of the channel north of the Calves Island anchorage when heading to Lord Cove, are marked by white mooring balls marked "Town of Old Lyme Transient Mooring 2 night maximum", and have 800 lb. anchors.

The Old Lyme Harbor Management Ordinance requires that prior to dropping a mooring in Old Lyme waters, an annual permit is required. Refer to links on this site for information on the application process, including details regarding the inspection of your mooring tackle. With accessibility being one of the key issues around moorings in Old Lyme, the Harbor Management Commission strongly recommends that you contact the Harbormaster/review a chart of the area before applying.

In 2002, The Harbor Management Commission used state grant funds to construct a dinghy dock on Ferry Road, near the State DEP headquarters. In 2016, the Commission also completed the dredging of the Black Hall and 4 Mile Rivers. This project was funded with grants from the State of CT Department of Transportation in 2011 and 2015 totaling over $2 million. Dinghy landing is also available on the east side of the anchorage at the Pilgrim Landing launch site which is next to the dinghy storage racks. This landing is only a short walk to the stores and restaurants on Halls Road. Other stores and attractions are also within walking distance on Lyme Street at the east end of Halls Road.

Laminated Canoe / Kayak Trail maps for the State Boat Launch on Smith's Neck Road and Middle Cove in Essex are available in the Selectman's Office at Memorial Town Hall. The maps were prepared by CRERPA, the Connecticut River Estuary Regional Planning Agency, with funds from the Long Island Sound License Plate program.

For any questions, please contact the Harbor Master 860-598-9579 or Chairman of the HMC (Town Hall 860-434-1605).