Nonstop dredging keeps Mississippi River open

Despite the many challenges faced this year on the Mississippi River, the St. Louis District’s Dredge Potter, M/V Pathfinder mechanical dredge, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Paul District’s Dredge Goetz, barge industry partners, and U.S. Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River kept waterborne cargo moving safely.

“The St. Louis District’s service base crew and fleet of vessels have worked tirelessly since July 16 to maintain the congressionally authorized nine-foot navigation channel,” said USACE.

The Dredge Potter and its crew are currently still working on the Mississippi River as the St. Paul District’s Dredge Goetz and its crew are wrapping up their work and head south as their winter maintenance season begins.

The USACE St. Paul District maintains the river from the head of navigation in the Twin Cities to Dubuque.

The district has spent an average of $15.7 million a year dredging its section of the river for the past decade.