Dog River Bulkhead Repair, Halls Mill Creek and Rabbit Creek

Census city boundaries, queried in November 2026, put most of the river in the City of Mobile. They are a map layer, not a ruling on your parcel. That includes the upper river and the mouths of Halls Mill Creek, Moore Creek, Robinson Bayou, Spring Creek, Bolton Branch, Eslava Creek, Rattlesnake Bayou and Perch Creek. Census city boundaries

Roughly a pocket along the lower river's south and west side is unincorporated. It takes in the mouths of Rabbit Creek and Alligator Bayou, the river mouth itself and Hollinger's Island. Census city boundaries

The line runs roughly there, so lots near it need care. The owner confirms the side with the parcel number before paying for drawings. The Revenue Commission at (251) 574-8530 runs the parcel search, and the Mobile County permit guide covers records. County records

On a lot in a V, A or shaded X zone, the city asks for a Flood Zone Development Permit signed by both owner and contractor. Mobile flood permit form

The simple Single Family Residential Affidavit works only if no fill goes into a flood zone and under 4,000 square feet is disturbed. Backfill behind a new wall can push the job to a larger land disturbance permit. Land Disturbance Guide

Filling in a flood zone needs an engineer's no-rise certificate, which shows cut and fill balance. Land Disturbance Guide

• Water quality is a stated priority for the Dog River watershed, so silt control matters. The city lets bare soil stand for no more than 10 days. Land Disturbance Guide MBNEP watershed page
• Minor residential excavation under 4,000 square feet and 2 feet deep may be exempt, but clearing in a flood hazard area never is. City Code Sec. 17-8

County Engineering says there is no zoning in unincorporated Mobile County, and you can request written confirmation by parcel number. County Engineering

• Almost any work needs a county permit, and a flood-zone lot needs an Elevation Certificate or a waiver. Plan review takes 5 to 10 working days. County permit checklist
• Any development in a special flood hazard area needs a county Permit to Develop. Fill in an A zone must not raise the base flood by more than one foot. County stormwater plan
• Working without a permit doubles the fee on a first offense. County fee schedule

Ask whether a bulkhead falls under the county's base fee plus 0.5 percent of contract cost, and get the answer in writing. County fee schedule

The Dog River Bridge gauge (8735391) has run since 2010 and shows a great diurnal tide range of 1.64 feet. NWS flood steps there are 2, 3 and 6 feet above mean higher high water. NOAA gauge 8735391

• Nate in 2017 peaked at 4.60 feet and Zeta in 2020 at 4.38 feet, both past the moderate step. NOAA 6-minute data
• Isaac in 2012 reached 3.83 feet, and Ida in 2021 reached 3.36 feet. CO-OPS top ten list
• Francine in 2024 reached only 2.49 feet. NOAA 6-minute data
• Sally's north wind dropped the river 5.58 feet below mean higher high water on September 16, 2020. NOAA Sally readings

Mapped flood levels run VE 13 to 14 feet near the mouth and AE 10 to 12 feet up the river. FEMA flood map Isaac flooded Dauphin Island Parkway at the bridge, and Ida closed the foot of the bridge. NWS Isaac summary NWS Ida summary

Dog River is about 7 miles long with 127 miles of shoreline, counting creeks, and it drains 95 square miles of mostly city land. Dog River Clearwater Revival

The Geological Survey of Alabama mapped 31.7 percent of the Dog River system as hard armor in 2011. Living Shorelines Policies Manual

In 2003 a Dog River site beat boat wake erosion with a timber wave fence, leeward sand and marsh plants. Living Shorelines Policies Manual See the riprap and shoreline stabilization page for options.

The fixed State Route 163 bridge at the mouth clears 73 feet, and a marked channel runs in from the bay. A railroad bridge 7 miles up clears 8 feet. Coast Pilot 5

Several small-craft facilities offer berths and lifts to 70 tons. Many small landings along the bay's west shore are in ruins. Coast Pilot 5 The maintained channel depth is 7 feet. Shoreline Management Plan

• The Dog River Scenic Blueway lists launches at Dog River Park, Schwartz Park on Halls Mill Creek, Gulfdale on Robinson Bayou and McNally Park on Perch Creek. Dog River Clearwater Revival
• Dog River Park, 2459 N. Dog River Drive, has a boat ramp and kayak launch, (251) 208-1600. Mobile Parks and Recreation
• As of June 2026, the city plans a Halls Mill Creek launch at Shipyard Road, built after rail crossing work. It lists $2 million in state money and about $1 million in city funds. Fox 10, June 23, 2026
• In 2018 the RESTORE Council gave the city over $3.5 million for the Perch Creek area. NBC 15

The city will not issue its permits until you show the federal and state ones. City Code Sec. 17-6 See the permit overview for the Corps, ADEM and State Lands path.

Check the neighbours at Mobile's bay front and Hollinger's Island and Deer River.