The clamshell dredge Peter de Jong is currently completing maintenance dredging in the lower section of Charleston Harbor.
The Corps has maintained Charleston Harbor for more than 140 years, dredging it every year in order to ensure the channel is at the required federal project depth.
During that time, USACE annually dredged 2-3 million cubic yards of material from the harbor, spending approximately $10-15 million each year.
The Charleston Harbor includes public terminals owned and operated by the South Carolina State Ports Authority, as well as private terminals.
Existing federal channels are dredged to an authorized depth of 45 feet below mean lower low water.