The Sabine-Neches Waterway (SNWW) is a 64-mile long deep-draft navigation channel serving Jefferson and Orange Counties in Texas and Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes in Louisiana. The SNWW includes parts of the Sabine and Neches Rivers, Sabine Lake, and Taylor Bayou. It is the third-busiest waterway in the United States, ranking at the top for bulk liquid cargo and crude-oil imports.
The federal channel along the waterway is currently being deepened from -40 to -48 ft MLLW (from -42 to -50 ft MLLW offshore) as a cost-shared partnership between USACE and the Sabine Neches Navigation District (SNND) under the SNWW Channel Improvement Project which is currently under construction. However, since the completion of the Final Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement for the Channel Improvement Study in 2011, the number of deep draft navigation vessels using the waterway has substantially increased. In addition, navigation restrictions, especially nighttime restrictions, are in place due to insufficient channel width to allow vessels with a combine beam width greater than 200 ft to pass each other. These restrictions along with increased vessel traffic result in congestion and transportation delays.
To address remaining problems, SNND initiated a Section 203 study. Section 203 of WRDA 1986 authorizes non-Federal interests to undertake federally authorized feasibility studies of proposed water resources development projects. The purpose of this study is to investigate navigation improvements to reduce delays and maximize the navigational opportunities along the waterway.
USACE is providing technical assistance including economic reviews from the USACE Deep Draft Navigation Planning Center of Expertise (DDNPCX) and continuing inherently governmental activities including environmental compliance.
Latest update (11/13/2025):
The SNWW 203 Project is presently undergoing an Internal Technical Review (ITR), with anticipated progression to a 30-day public comment phase following the draft document release scheduled for mid-November. SNND anticipates submission of a Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment to Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works (ASA(CW)) for formal approval in FY2026.