Army Corps Initiates Project to Straighten Barge Channel near Cottage Grove (USA)

A new island near Cottage Grove is going to be created in order to ameliorate a distorted barge channel on the Mississippi River.

A study of the $5 million worth project including a portion of the river north of Hastings, has been initiated by the Army Corps of Engineers.

A sharp bend in the barge channel is becoming tougher to navigate and needs to be rerouted, said Paul Machajewski, the corps’ channel maintenance coordinator for the St. Paul District.

Two possible routes for a realigned Mississippi River channel are being considered:

– “Boulanger Channel” would hug the shoreline of Nininger Township, east of Grey Cloud Island.

– “Nininger Channel” would be twice as long and farther downstream.

Upon dredging for the longer channel, it is anticipated that approximately 1 million cubic yards of material would be displaced. The same sediment is intended to be used for creating an island.

Machajewski stated the works could commence in summer 2013.

The corps is planning to decide on a preferred channel by next summer.

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Dredging Today Staff, December 8, 2011