The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District plans to dredge Lake Superior harbors at Port Wing and Cornucopia, Wisconsin, and Ontonagon, Michigan this summer through fall.
Viking Marine Construction LLC of Holland, Michigan was awarded a contract for $1.6 million in May to address sediment buildup in the harbors.
Dredging is scheduled to begin in August, with a current contract completion date of Oct. 31.
“This dredging work is essential for maintaining safe and reliable navigation channels for commercial and recreational boaters,” said Monica Anderson, Corps of Engineers project engineer, in a press release. “By removing accumulated sediment, we ensure these harbors remain accessible and continue to support the local economies.”
The contractor will dredge the three harbors in the following tentative order:
Port Wing Harbor is scheduled to be hydraulically dredged in mid-to-late August, placing the material in the nearshore beach area west of the harbor. This harbor was last dredged in 2017.
Cornucopia Harbor is scheduled to be hydraulically and mechanically dredged in mid-September.
Ontonagon Harbor is scheduled for hydraulic dredging from mid-September through October.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District oversees 3,150 miles of shoreline and 81 harbors and channels across Michigan and parts of Indiana, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
