13 Apr 2022

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awards contract to dredge Buffalo Harbor

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Buffalo District awarded a $991,500 contract to Michigan-based Ryba Marine Construction Company on April 1 to conduct dredging of the federal navigation channel in Buffalo Harbor. Dredging of harbors like Buffalo’s ensures accessible depths for large vessels, the continued flow of commodities across the Great Lakes, and the economic viability of United States waterways.

12 Apr 2022

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awards contract for critical repairs to Rochester Harbor East Pier

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Buffalo District awarded a $3.85 million contract to Illinois-based Great Lakes Dock and Materials, L.L.C. on March 31 for repairs to the Rochester Harbor East Pier in Rochester, New York. Repairs will ensure the pier, along with its adjacent federal navigation channel, continue to provide safe passage and refuge for commercial and recreational vessels between the Genesee River, Lake Ontario and the rest of the Great Lakes.

28 Mar 2022

USACE awards contract for critical repairs to Little Sodus West Pier on Lake Ontario

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Buffalo District awarded a $3.3 million contract to Rochester-based Crane-Hogan Structural Systems on March 22 for critical repairs to the west pier of Little Sodus Bay in Fair Haven, New York. The west pier suffered degradation and damage in recent years. Repairs will ensure the pier, along with its adjacent federal navigation channel, continue to provide safe passage and refuge for commercial fishermen and recreational boaters between Little Sodus Bay, Lake Ontario and the rest of the Great Lakes.

7 Feb 2022

USACE Buffalo District Announces 2022 Operations Schedule for Black Rock Lock

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Buffalo District is announcing the Black Rock Lock operations schedule for the 2022 navigation season. The Black Rock Lock is one of three lock systems operated and maintained by USACE on the U.S. side of the Great Lakes and saw more than 2,600 vessels and 60,000 metric tons of commerce pass through its walls in fiscal year 2021.

13 Jan 2022

Soo Locks closing for seasonal repair, maintenance

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich., - The Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan will close to marine traffic beginning 11:59 p.m. January 15 through 12:01 a.m. March 25 to perform critical maintenance. The operating season is fixed by federal regulation and is driven in part by the feasibility of vessels operating in typical Great Lakes ice conditions. “It is a difficult time in terms of weather to complete this work, but it keeps this important national infrastructure project operating during shipping season,” Soo Area Engineer Kevin Sprague said.

13 Jan 2022

Soo Locks closing for seasonal repair, maintenance

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich., - The Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan will close to marine traffic beginning 11:59 p.m. January 15 through 12:01 a.m. March 25 to perform critical maintenance. The operating season is fixed by federal regulation and is driven in part by the feasibility of vessels operating in typical Great Lakes ice conditions. “It is a difficult time in terms of weather to complete this work, but it keeps this important national infrastructure project operating during shipping season,” Soo Area Engineer Kevin Sprague said.

2 Dec 2021

MacArthur Lock closing for seasonal repair, maintenance

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich., - The Soo Locks’ MacArthur Lock will close to marine traffic 7:00 a.m. Dec. 15, 2021 through 12:01 a.m. April 30, 2022 to perform critical maintenance. The Poe Lock will remain open until 11:59 p.m. Jan. 15, 2022 or until commercial traffic ceases, whichever occurs first. The operating season is fixed by federal regulation and is driven in part by vessel operation ability in typical ice conditions. “The 800-foot-long MacArthur Lock, built in 1943, is 78 years old; the maintenance period is critical to keeping the lock in operation during the shipping season,” Maintenance Branch Chief LeighAnn Ryckeghem said.

24 May 2021

Corps of Engineers to begin St. Joseph emergency dredging in June

DETROIT – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin St. Joseph Harbor emergency dredging early June, expediting the process to restore critical navigation. The Corps of Engineers identified a shoal restricting the channel depth during this year’s annual channel survey. In some areas the restriction was as little as 13 feet below low water datum, effectively closing the inner harbor to commercial navigation. “This is a true team effort,” said Detroit District Project Manager Alicia Smith. “We worked with Congressman Fred Upton’s office, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the City of St. Joseph and local sponsors to award this contract in an expedited manner to restore critical navigation.”

13 Jan 2021

Soo Locks closing for seasonal repair, maintenance

DETROIT- The Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan will close to marine traffic beginning 11:59 p.m. January 15 through 12:01 a.m. March 25 to perform critical maintenance. The operating season is fixed by federal regulation and is driven in part by the feasibility of vessels operating in typical ice conditions. Every year, the Corps uses the winter period to perform maintenance to keep the Soo Locks operating. The Soo Area Office team works long hours in extreme conditions to complete a significant amount of maintenance during this annual closure period. The work they perform is unique, especially given the harsh northern Michigan conditions they work in.

25 Mar 2020

The Soo Locks open as 2020 shipping season begins

DETROIT – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, announces the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., opened today Wednesday, March 25, marking the beginning of the 2020 Great Lakes shipping season. The up-bound Motor Vessel H. Lee White, 704-foot long freighter, is the first ship to enter the Poe Lock. It is coming from Sturgeon Bay, Michigan and headed to Superior, Wisconsin to load cargo.