DETROIT -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District dredging operations are scheduled to begin Monday, June 9, to maintain the federal channel at the inner St. Joseph Harbor.
Dean Marine & Excavating, of Mount Clemens, Michigan, will perform the mechanical dredging to maintain safe passage for vessels at the upstream docks as the Corps of Engineers contractor. The work is scheduled to conclude by July 30.
A navigable path through the St. Joseph River will remain open during the work; however, boaters should avoid the dredge and supporting operations.
The contractor will use a long reach excavator to remove shoaling from the channel onto a floating scow, which will then be transferred to trucks at Dock 63. The sediment will be trucked to a site at the Southwest Regional Airport.
The public is asked to follow all caution tape, cones and signs around the project for their safety.
“Inner St. Joseph Harbor is a vital port for Lake Michigan. This project continues our important work to keep recreation and commerce moving safely on West Michigan waterways,” said Brian Kootstra, resident engineer at the Grand Haven Office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District.
In May, 22,000 cubic yards of sediment were moved from the mouth of the harbor to the southern shoreline beach at Park Street.
The Detroit District, established in 1841, encompasses 3,150 miles of shoreline and 81 harbors and channels joining lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, St. Clair and Erie. In addition, the district boundaries cover projects and regulatory oversight throughout the state of Michigan and portions of Indiana, Wisconsin and Minnesota.