USACE resumes Grand Haven dredging with additional E.coli testing

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District (USACE), will resume dredging in Grand Haven Harbor today, with additional testing for E. Coli and safety measures. 

King Co. Inc., of Holland, under an Army Corps contract, will dredge the remaining 35,000 of 141,000 cubic yards of sediment contracted to be removed from the outer harbor in Grand Haven to keep the commercial channel navigable throughout the remainder of the year.

The Army Corps paused dredging at the location Friday, July 7, out of an abundance of caution after the Ottawa County Health Department issued a “no body contact” warning because of high concentrations of E. coli at North Park Beach in Ferrysburg.

The remaining dredging will take about seven days to complete, weather dependent.

The source of the E. coli is still unknown, but severe rains last week around the Grand River watershed are suspected as a potential source of the bacteria.

Ottawa County lifted its E. coli warning order Saturday, following several tests showing the water around the park was again at safe levels.