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Great Lakes Navigation

The Great Lakes Navigation System (GLNS) is an extensive deepwater navigation network that spans 1,600 miles, encompassing all five Great Lakes and connecting channels from Duluth, Minnesota, to Ogdensburg, New York.

There are 60 commercial and 80 recreational harbors, two operational locks, 104 miles of breakwaters and jetties, and over 600 miles of well-maintained navigation channels. Additionally, the GLNS is intricately linked to several other shallow draft waterways, such as the Illinois Waterway and New York State Barge Canal, forming a crucial waterborne transportation network that extends deep into North America.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains the Great Lakes Navigation System by dredging channels and harbors, as well as constructing and maintaining coastal infrastructure.

Project Information Sheets

Great Lakes Navigation System

Great Lakes Navigation System: Economic Strength to the Nation

This report covers topics such as the system's economic benefits and costs, the system's environmental benefits, the need to strengthen the system, the five year plan for the system, critical system needs, and interdependency of the system.

Great Lakes Navigation System Brochure

This brochure provides a summary of the Great Lakes Navigation System including a summary of key missions and infrastructure maintained within the system along with the leading commodities and tonnages that move through the system.

Coastal Infrastructure Pamphlet

This four-page document summarizes the different aspects and risks behind the federal projects of the Great Lakes region.

Economic Impacts of Maritime Shipping in the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Region, July 2023, Martin Associates
Economic Impacts of Maritime Shipping in the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Region, July 2018, Martin Associates

An economic study by Martin Associates on the impacts of Great Lakes navigation.

Economic Impacts of the Soo Locks, July 2018, Martin Associates

An economic study by Martin Associates on the impacts of the Soo Locks.

US Army Corps of Engineers Navigation Data Center Website
Implementation of the Great Lakes Navigation Regional Funding Provisions FY08-10
2023 Great Lakes Construction Roundtable
Fiscal Year 2024 Construction Contract
2022 Great Lakes Construction Roundtable
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Chicago District FY22 and FY23 Dredging Program
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Buffalo District FY23 Dredged Material Management Program
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Ohio Dredging Newsletter
 
Soo Locks Asset Renewal Plan

This plan defines the project requirements needed to maximize reliability and reduce the risk of failure at the Soo Locks. Contact glnavigation@usace.army.mil for more information regarding this publication.

Materials below are a snapshot of USACE Detroit District's events and developments at the noted date. These do not reflect current mission status.

November 9, 2023 - Great Lakes Navigation Stakeholder Meeting - In Person - Detroit, MI
July 25, 2023 - American Great Lakes Ports Association (AGLPA) Summer 2023 Meeting - In Person - Chicago, IL
April 14, 2023 - Shallow Draft Recreational Harbor Meeting - Virtual and In Person
November 10, 2022 - Great Lakes Navigation Stakeholder Meeting - Virtual and In Person - Detroit, MI
July 27, 2022 - American Great Lakes Ports Association (AGLPA) Summer 2022 Meeting - In Person - Milwaukee, WI
April 22, 2022 - Shallow Draft Recreational Harbor Meeting - Virtual and In Person
November 18, 2021 - Great Lakes Navigation Stakeholder Meeting - Virtual and In Person - Detroit, MI
April 30, 2021 - Shallow Draft Recreational Harbor Meeting - Virtual

Contact glnavigation@usace.army.mil is you wish to receive any of the below meeting materials.

November 05, 2020 - Great Lakes Navigation Stakeholder Meeting - Virtual
  • Great Lakes Navigation Meeting Invitation
  • Great Lakes Navigation Meeting Agenda
  • Great Lakes Navigation Meeting Call-in Information
  • Great Lakes Navigation Program Update by Marie Strum
  • Buffalo District Projects of Interest by Josh Feldmann
  • Soo Locks Maintenance Update by Cindy Jarema
  • Calumet and Indiana Harbor CDFs by Paul Mazzeno
  • Attendees List
June 3, 2020 - Great Lakes Dredging Team - Webinar
  • Great Lakes Navigation Update by Marie Strum
  • Updating the International Great Lakes Datum & Low Water Datum by John Allis & Cindy Jarema
February 11-12, 2020 - Great Lakes Waterways Conference - Cleveland, OH
  • Great Lakes Navigation Update by Marie Strum
  • Buffalo District Programs, Projects and Items of Interest by Josh Feldmann
  • Soo Locks Asset Renewal by Cindy Jarema
  • Chicago District Navigation Update by Adam Borrelli
November 12, 2019 - Great Lakes Navigation Stakeholder Meeting - Detroit, MI
  • Great Lakes Navigation Stakeholder Meeting Agenda
  • Great Lakes Navigation Program Update by Marie Strum
  • Buffalo District - Projects of Interest by Josh Feldmann
  • Detroit District - Soo Locks Maintenance Update by Dave Wright
  • Chicago District - Calumet and Indiana Harbor CDFs by Tim Kroll
  • Update to Great Lakes Datum/Low Water Datum by John Allis & Dave Wright
  • Attendee List
April 9, 2019 - Shallow Draft Recreational Harbor Meeting - Detroit, MI

  • Shallow Draft Harbor Needs & Issues Stakeholder Meeting by Marie Strum

February 4-6, 2019 - Great Lakes Waterways Conference - Cleveland, OH
  • Great Lakes Navigation Update Presentation by Marie Strum
  • Buffalo District Projects of Interest and Ohio 2020 by Josh Feldmann
  • Chicago District Projects of Interest by Tim Kroll
  • Great Lakes Breakwater Repairs Update by Cindy Jarema
December 12th, 2018 - Great Lakes Team Meeting Update - Webinar
  • Great Lakes Team Presentation by Marie Strum
April 10th, 2018 - Great Lakes Shallow Draft Harbor Stakeholder Meeting - Detroit, MI
  • Great Lakes Shallow Draft Stakeholders Presentation by Marie Strum
February 6-7, 2018 - Great Lakes Waterways Conference - Cleveland, OH
  • Great Lakes Navigation Update Presentation by Marie Strum
  • Buffalo District Stakeholder Briefing by Josh Feldmann
  • Chicago District Stakeholder DMMP Briefing by Tim Kroll
  • Chicago District Stakeholder Indiana Harbor Briefing by Tim Kroll

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Great Lakes Navigation Team conducted a series of regional meetings to initiate a dialogue with state and local officials to inform them of the current condition of coastal infrastructure (federal breakwaters, piers, jetties, etc.) and the projected risks posed by deferred maintenance. This is in keeping with the Corps' ongoing efforts of openly communicating risks to local entities and other harbor stakeholders.

The Corps discussed each harbor's federal navigation structures in detail, including the current condition of each of the structures and a discussion of the local landside infrastructure that is protected by the structures.  In-person meetings were held covering the harbors listed below. 

Although authorized to safeguard navigation activities in the federal harbors from waves and ice, these navigation structures also provide critical flood and/or storm damage protection for buildings, roads, and facilities. As these structures have aged and their conditions deteriorated, their ability to protect the navigation channel and the infrastructure that has developed behind them are increasingly at risk. The purpose of these regional meetings is to have an open dialogue on current conditions and risks.

Great Lakes Coastal Infrastructure Brochure: Critical Protection at Risk

Point of Contact:  GLNAVIGATION@USACE.ARMY.MIL

Please email glnavigation@usace.army.mil to request the presentations below.

Escanaba - Oct 29, 2013
  • Escanaba Risk Communication 
  • Algoma Harbor, WI
  • Big Bay Harbor, MI
  • Cedar River Harbor, MI
  • Eagle Harbor, MI
  • Grand Traverse Bay Harbor, MI
  • Kewaunee Harbor, WI
  • Keweenaw Waterway Harbor, MI
  • Lac La Belle Harbor, MI
  • Marquette Harbor, MI
  • Menominee Harbor, MI & WI
  • Oconto Harbor, WI
  • Presque Isle Harbor, MI
  • Sturgeon Bay Harbor, WI
Oswego - September 23, 2013
  • Breakwater Risk Communication
  • Cape Vincent Harbor, NY
  • Great Sodus Harbor, NY
  • Irondequoit Harbor, NY
  • LIttle Sodus Harbor, NY
  • Oswego Harbor, NY
  • Port Ontario, NY
  • Rochester Harbor, NY
St Ignace - August 27, 2013
  • Structure Risk Communication Presentation
  • Charlevoix Harbor, MI
  • Cheboygan Harbor, MI
  • Detour Harbor, MI
  • Grand Marais Harbor, MI
  • Hammond Bay Harbor, MI
  • Little Lake Harbor, MI
  • Mackinac Island Harbor, MI
  • Mackinaw City Harbor, MI
  • Manistique Harbor, MI
  • Petoskey Harbor, MI
  • Whitefish Point Harbor, MI
  • Duluth - June 20, 2013
  • Structure Risk Communication Presentation
  • Ashland Harbor, WI
  • Bayfield Harbor, WI
  • Black River Harbor, MI
  • Cornucopia Harbor, WI
  • Duluth-Superior Harbor, MN/WI
  • Grand Marais Harbor, MN
  • Knife River, MN
  • La Pointe Harbor, WI
  • Ontonagon Harbor, MI
  • Port Wing Harbor, WI
  • Saxon Harbor, WI
  • Two Harbors, MN
Grayling - May 17, 2013
  • Structure Risk Communication Presentation
  • Alpena Harbor, MI
  • Arcadia Harbor, MI
  • Au Sable Harbor, MI
  • Frankfort Harbor, MI
  • Greilickville Harbor, MI
  • Harrisville Harbor, MI
  • Leland Harbor, MI
  • Manistee Harbor, MI
  • Point Lookout Harbor, MI
  • Portage Lake Harbor, MI
  • Tawas Bay Harbor, MI
Port Huron - Oct 15, 2012
  • Structure Risk Communication Presentation
  • Bolles Harbor, MI
  • Caseville Harbor, MI
  • Clinton River Harbor, MI
  • Harbor Beach, MI
  • Lexington Harbor, MI
  • Port Austin Harbor, MI
  • Port Sanilac Harbor, MI
Buffalo - Aug 30, 2012
  • Structure Risk Communication Presentation
  • Barcelona Harbor, NY
  • Black Rock Lock & Tonawanda Harbor, NY
  • Buffalo Harbor, NY
  • Cattaraugus Creek Harbor, NY
  • Dunkirk Harbor, NY
  • Erie Harbor, PA
  • Oak Orchard Harbor, NY
  • Olcott Harbor, NY
  • Wilson Harbor, NY
Michigan City - Jul 18, 2012
  • Structure Risk Communication Presentation
  • Burns Small Boat Harbor, IN
  • Burns Waterway Harbor, IN
  • Calumet Harbor, IL
  • Chicago Harbor, IL
  • Indiana Harbor, IN
  • Michigan City Harbor, IN
  • New Buffalo Harbor, MI
  • St. Joseph Harbor, MI
Cleveland - Jan 18, 2012
  • Structure Risk Communication Presentation
  • Ashtabula Harbor, OH
  • Cleveland Harbor, OH
  • Conneaut Harbor, OH
  • Cooley Canal Harbor, OH
  • Fairport Harbor, OH
  • Huron Harbor, OH
  • Lorain Harbor, OH
  • Port Clinton Harbor, OH
  • Rocky River Harbor, OH
  • Sandusky Harbor, OH
  • Vermilion Harbor, OH
  • West Harbor, OH
Grand Haven - Nov 8, 2011
  • Structure Risk Communication Presentation
  • Grand Haven Harbor, MI
  • Holland Harbor, MI
  • Ludington Harbor, MI
  • Muskegon Harbor, MI
  • Pentwater Harbor, MI
  • Saugatuck Harbor, MI
  • South Haven Harbor, MI
  • White Lake Harbor, MI
Milwaukee - Aug 16, 2011
  • Structure Risk Communication Presentation
  • Kenosha Harbor, WI
  • Manitowoc Harbor, WI
  • Milwaukee Harbor, WI
  • Port Washington Harbor, WI
  • Sheboygan Harbor, WI
  • Two Rivers Harbor, WI
  • Waukegan Harbor, IL

September 24 – 25, 2024 Annual Meeting - Monday, July 1, 2024

Please SAVE THE DATE for our next Great Lakes Dredging Team face-to-face meeting, which will take place in Erie, Pennsylvania at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at the Presque Isle Pennsylvania State Park. The meeting will begin at 8:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday September 24, and will end at approximately 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, September 25.

The meeting will include an update regarding the Corps of Engineers' current navigation budget, state and federal agency dredged material management projects, beneficial uses of dredged material, and several other topics. In addition, there will be a field trip to a dredged material management facility in Conneaut, Ohio (field trip transportation will be provided). There will not be any registration fees associated with the meeting, although meeting space is limited, and attendees will be required to RSVP no later than August 30, 2024.

 

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