OCRACOKE — Due to critical shoaling in the federally-controlled channel at Bigfoot Slough, the North Carolina Ferry Division will run a limited schedule on its routes between Ocracoke, Swan Quarter and Cedar Island beginning Saturday.

The schedule will be as follows: Ocracoke to Cedar Island: 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.; Cedar Island to Ocracoke: 7 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.; Ocracoke to Swan Quarter: 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; and Swan Quarter to Ocracoke: 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Water levels in Bigfoot Slough are critically low, especially at low tide.

“We have asked the Army Corps of Engineers to perform an emergency dredging operation as soon as possible, and we’re hoping to see that operation begin next week,” said Ferry Division Interim Director Jed Dixon. “Until then, we have to limit our schedule in the area in order to operate safely.”

The limited schedules will remain in effect until the dredging operation is complete.