West Harbor Dredged for First Time in Nearly a Decade

LAKESIDE MARBLEHEAD, OHIO — For the first time in nearly a decade and just in time for Labor Day weekend, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District completed dredging in West Harbor.

Dredging of the federal navigation channel in West Harbor ensures accessible depths for vessels traveling the Great Lakes and enables recreational boating which supports nearly $2 million in economic impact.

• West Harbor was last dredged in 2018.
• The harbor is home to 2,900 docks and more than 120 charter fishing boats, supporting $1.9M in annual revenue.
• Dredging was completed in one month.
• Photos & B-roll available here.

“West Harbor is a hub for local recreation, boating and fishing,” said Lt. Col. Aaron Anderson, commander of the USACE Buffalo District. “Our work to ensure it remains accessible means the money spent here doesn’t just stay in the water—it flows directly into local families’ pockets, the Great Lakes region, and the broader economy.”

Approximately 39,000 cubic yards of sediment were mechanically dredged from the harbor’s entrance and river channel. 9,000 cubic yards was placed in a designated open lake site, and 30,000 cubic yards was placed in a nearshore site east of the harbor.

Work began on Aug. 4 and was completed on Sept. 2.

Dredging of West Harbor is done by USACE based on need and the availability of funding. The harbor was last dredged in 2018, with 80,000 cubic yards of sediment removed.

West Harbor is a home to 2,800 seasonal and 100 transient docks and supports 124 seasonal charter fishing boats, generating approximately $1.9 million in annual revenue.

Operation, maintenance and dredging of harbors like West Harbor by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 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 to ensure national security, environmental sustainability, water resource management, and emergency assistance during peace and war. Learn more at www.lrd.usace.army.mil/buffalo.