Ryba Marine completing Outer Harbor wetland construction

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District has released notice urging boaters to use caution as construction of the submerged stone wall at the entrance to Shipping Slip 3 on the Outer Harbor begins.

Buoys that marked the submerged wall have been removed, allowing Ryba Marine Construction Co. to finish placement of additional bedding stone, 4.8 feet of underlayer stone, and 7.2 feet of armor stone.

“For a few short weeks of construction, followed by dredged material placement, the return will be a project that provides a biodiverse ecosystem with lasting benefits for generations to come,” said Tim Noon, USACE project manager.

Previous construction from September to October 2023 included placement of 17,200 tons of bedding stone at the opening of Slip 3. Placing the bedding stone late last year allowed the stone to displace silty sediment at the bottom of the slip and settle over the winter.

The completed breakwater will extend across the entire mouth of the slip, with a portion submerged to allow for connectivity to Lake Erie and the increased health of the future wetlands.

Construction of the breakwater (Phase 1) is expected to conclude in July 2024, after which material dredged from the Buffalo River will start to fill the slip (Phase 2).