Corps of Engineers begins dredging and research operations in St. Joseph Harbor

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, will commence maintenance dredging in the outer harbor of St. Joseph, Michigan, in early July. Viking Marine Construction, LLC., of Holland, Michigan, will dredge approximately 83,000 cubic yards of sediment from the federal navigation channel in the harbor. The hydraulic dredging will use a submerged pipeline to move sediment a half mile south of the harbor. The project is scheduled to be completed at the end of August. Historically, dredging has been carried out along the shore to reduce erosion. This year, the placement will be oriented perpendicular to the shore, forming a peninsula. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center is conducting research on this unique placement to better understand how the sediment moves under wave action. This research will use turbidity monitoring, nearshore surveys, sediment sampling, and both drone and land-based video documentation. “St. Joseph Harbor is one of our busiest Lake Michigan harbors and requires annual maintenance to keep it operating at full capability,” said Liz Wilkinson, Corps of Engineers Grand Haven Office operations manager. “This year’s maintenance dredging represents a unique opportunity to study how our sediment placement interacts with Great Lakes weather systems and wave action. This kind of multi-purpose operation keeps us both functional for our communities and innovating to improve our future projects.” The public is asked not to approach the dredge, pipe, vessels, equipment, or active work areas. Beach-area pedestrian traffic should also be aware that sediment near the --more-- U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS – DETROIT DISTRICT 477 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48226 www.lrd.usace.army.mil placement area can cause quicksand-like conditions near the outfall. White and orange buoys, and warning signs will mark the project area for safety. Beach access will remain open outside the defined work zone. The Detroit District oversees 3,150 miles of shoreline, 81 harbors and channels connecting the Great Lakes, and manages projects across Michigan and parts of Indiana, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.