The York River is a mixed-use waterway that hosts many marine uses including: over 300 moorings, 83 docks, 2 federal anchorages, 7 working waterfront sites, 2 commercial marinas, a yacht club, and recreational fishing, paddlecraft, and swimming. Rapidly increasing demands for use of the River and development along the shore have increased pressure on limited resources and traditional uses.

The Town of York retained GEI Consultants in 2019 to undertake a capacity study of the York River and Harbor. The primary goals were to inventory and assess existing uses on the River and evaluate how those uses compare to capacity in order to identify areas of concern, needed infrastructure improvements, and opportunities for improved management.

GEI staff observed and documented uses and conditions by boat, from shore, and by drone. A Harbor Inventory was prepared that documented marine uses, infrastructure, environmental and historic resources, land use, and regulatory constraints. GIS maps were prepared for presentation of inventory data. River capacity was then evaluated on a range of spatial, facility, ecological, and social factors. Recommendations were developed to address the near- and long- term issues and goals for improved harbor management.

A selection of study recommendations includes: improved mooring field layouts, improving clear navigation channels, expanded dinghy facilities or consideration of shared dinghy program, creation of new public access to better separate uses, improved paddlecraft management, and others. Revisions to the Town’s Harbor Ordinance were recommended to improve regulation of dock applications, improve protection for sensitive resources, and provide a more consistent regulatory framework.