For the first time in nearly a decade and just in time for Labor Day weekend, the USACE Buffalo District completed dredging in West Harbor.
According to USACE, dredging of the federal navigation channel in West Harbor ensures accessible depths for vessels traveling the Great Lakes and enables recreational boating which supports nearly $2 million in economic impact.
Under the project, approximately 39,000 cubic yards of sediment were mechanically dredged from the harbor’s entrance and river channel. 9,000 cubic yards was placed in a designated open lake site, and 30,000 cubic yards was placed in a nearshore site east of the harbor.
Work began on August 4 and was completed on September 2.
Dredging of West Harbor is done by USACE based on need and the availability of funding. The harbor was last dredged in 2018, with 80,000 cubic yards of sediment removed.