The dredging process will remove 133,000 cubic yards of sediment from the federal navigation channel in order to maintain Great Lakes navigation for commercial shipping to harbors along Western Michigan.
According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, spring shoaling – when sand and stone sediment shifts due to waves – caused two ship groundings in the harbor in as many years. The Kaye E. Barker became stuck in 2022 and again in 2023, requiring emergency dredging to free the ship.
The dredged sediment will be placed in a state-permitted area south of the harbor, starting north of the City of Muskegon’s Water Filtration Plant and continuing approximately 3,000 feet to the south. The project is expected to cost $800,000 and is scheduled to conclude in late June.
The Army Corps says that, historically, the harbor required dredging every 3 to 5 years, but now needs yearly maintenance.
The public is urged to avoid areas being actively dredged and follow all posted warning signs.
