ICWS

ICWs stands for Intracoastal Waterways, a pair of navigable, sheltered marine corridors along the United States coast. The system comprises the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIW) along the East Coast and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIW) along the Gulf Coast, forming a continuous network that allows vessels to travel long distances close to shore without venturing into the open sea.

The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway runs along the Atlantic seaboard, generally from Virginia to Florida, linking a sequence of bays, inlets, rivers, and man-made channels. The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway extends from Texas to Florida, maintaining sheltered passage along the Gulf Coast. Both networks connect with other navigable routes and are interlaced with ports, towns, and industrial centers, providing alternatives to offshore routes in many areas.

Construction and maintenance of the ICWs have been pursued primarily by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, with state and local agencies contributing to dredging and channel upkeep. Channel depth and width vary by segment, requiring regular dredging and infrequent upgrades to accommodate changing traffic patterns. Navigation is supported by the U.S. Coast Guard through a system of aids to navigation, including buoys, lights, and markers.

Usage and significance vary from commercial to recreational. The ICWs support inland and coastal shipping, enabling year-round movement of goods, while also serving a large community of recreational boaters and tourists. Economically, they link ports, shipyards, and tourism destinations, contributing to coastal stability and regional economies.

Other uses of the acronym ICW exist in different contexts, but this article focuses on the Intracoastal Waterways and their regional networks.