LORAIN, Ohio -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District awarded a $749,000 contract to Michigan-based Ryba Marine Construction Company on June 04, 2025 to conduct dredging of the federal navigation channel in Lorain Harbor.
Dredging of harbors like Lorain’s ensures accessible depths for large vessels, the continued flow of commodities across the Great Lakes, and the economic viability of United States waterways.
Dredging will focus on the entrance to the channel between the harbor’s breakwaters, as well as portions of the Black River. Work is scheduled to take place from mid-Aug. through mid-Sept. 2025
A total of approximately 40,000 cubic yards of material is contracted to be dredged and placed in a confined disposal facility.
Dredging of Lorain Harbor is conducted annually by USACE, based on need and the availability of funding. The harbor was last dredged in 2024 with 62,000 cubic yards of material removed.
Lorain Harbor is a deep draft commercial harbor which handled 992,000 tons of cargo, including limestone (89%) and sand & gravel (4%) in 2022. Waterborne transportation facilitated by the harbor supports $49.8 million in business revenue, 198 direct, indirect, and induced jobs, and $15.4 million in labor income to the transportation sector.
Operation, maintenance and dredging of harbors like Lorain’s by USACE is critical to the economy of Ohio, the Great Lakes region, and the United States.
The Buffalo District delivers world class engineering solutions to the Great Lakes Region, the Army and the Nation in order to ensure national security, environmental sustainability, water resource management, and emergency assistance during peace and war.
-30-