5 Nov 2024

Notice to Boaters: Interruptions to Black Rock Lock Traffic

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District will conduct a geotechnical investigation in the Black Rock Lock from November 4 through mid-December, causing an interruption to traffic through the lock. During this time, commercial and recreational vessels must give 48 hours’ notice to the Lockmaster to coordinate travel through the lock. Commercial vessels will be given preference to ensure the flow of commerce between Lake Erie, the Black Rock Channel, and the upper Niagara River. The Lockmaster and Black Rock Lock staff can be contacted by phone at 716-879-4403 and by radio at VHF-16.

10 Oct 2024

Great Lakes Costal Wetland Revitalized on Ohio’s Lake Erie Shoreline

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District and City of Port Clinton celebrated the completion of construction on a five-year coastal restoration project with a final planting of native species on the beach. The $1.9 million Great Lakes Fishery and Ecosystem Restoration Program Port Clinton Coastal Restoration Project has expanded costal wetland – a rarity along Ohio’s Lake Erie Shoreline – by 1.4 acres, removed invasive plant species, and created a more diverse habitat for wildlife to thrive in and people to enjoy.

24 Sep 2024

Army Corps of Engineers and EPA building critical fish passage in Niagara River

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are building on the success of a project to help one of the Niagara River and Lake Erie’s most important fish thrive despite decades of manmade impacts to the ecosystem. With funding from the EPA’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), USACE will build a 700-foot-long fish passage at the City of Buffalo’s Freedom Park to help emerald shiners overcome the velocity of the Niagara River and move upstream after spawning, providing a critical food source for larger fish and wildlife, offering sustenance for the local community, and contributing to goals for delisting the Niagara River as an EPA Area of Concern (AOC).

23 Sep 2024

Channel Cleared in Fairport Harbor by Corps of Engineers Dredging

Biennial dredging of Fairport Harbor’s federal navigation channel by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is complete.  Dredging of Fairport Harbor ensures accessible depths for large vessels, the continued flow of commodities across the Great Lakes, and the economic viability of United States waterways. 

16 Sep 2024

Record of Decision Published for FUSRAP Guterl Site in Lockport

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District has published the Record of Decision for the Former Guterl Specialty Steel Corporation Site. The 70-acre site, located in Lockport, New York, is being addressed under the authority of the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program. The record of decision marks the completion of the final step in the federal decision-making process for addressing legacy contamination at the site and describes the final selected remedy to address contaminated buildings, soil and groundwater at the Guterl Site.

12 Sep 2024

Critical Repairs and a Clear Channel on the way for Lorain Harbor

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District is investing more than $14 million in breakwater repairs and dredging in Lorain Harbor. Work by USACE and its contractors will ensure safe navigation for commercial and recreational vessels, prevent erosion along Ohio’s Great Lakes shoreline, and maintain the economic viability of the harbor and its historic lighthouse in the local and national economy.

12 Sep 2024

Dredging on the Way for Barcelona Harbor

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District awarded a $1.5 million contract to Michigan-based Ryba Marine Construction Co. on Sep. 4 to conduct dredging of the federal navigation channel in Barcelona Harbor. Dredging of harbors like Barcelona ensures accessible depths for vessels traveling the Great Lakes and enables recreational boating which supports more than $1.6 million in business revenue and labor income to the transportation sector.

27 Aug 2024

USACE and NYSDEC issue Tropical Storm Debby Emergency general permit

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo and New York Districts and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation have activated the joint permit New York State Programmatic General Permit (NYSPGP-1) for select counties impacted by Tropical Storm Debby, August 9-10, 2024. NYSPGP-1 permit offers one application for the purpose of complying with both agencies’ authorities over rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, and ensures that environmental approvals necessary for response to widespread storm events are expedited. When activated following major storm events, NYSPGP-1 authorizes activities to facilitate the recovery and restoration of damaged properties, projects, aquatic resources, and infrastructure.

15 Aug 2024

Funding Secured to Design Defense Against Erosion at Old Fort Niagara

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District is planning critical defenses against erosion for Old Fort Niagara, part of a project to stabilize a portion of the Lake Ontario shoreline. With funding recently transferred from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation – the project’s non-federal sponsor – the district is starting a $760,000 design phase.

13 Aug 2024

More Critical Repairs Started on Vermilion Harbor Piers

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District and its contractor, Chicago-based Architectural Consulting Group, Ltd., have started repairs on another section of the Vermilion Harbor West Pier. Vermilion Harbor’s piers ensure the harbor remains economically viable and able to provide safe access for recreation and refuge to boaters on the Great Lakes.