DETROIT – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, has completed dredging of Manistee Harbor in west Michigan, a deep draft harbor that facilitates transport of such commodities as coal, sand and salt. In April a vessel ran aground in the harbor entrance due to the presence of up to six feet of shoaling within a portion of the federal navigation channel. Completion of this dredging will now allow cargo-carrying vessels to safely enter the harbor.
MCM Marine of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., dredged 72,698 cubic yards from the harbor, placing the dredged materials near the shoreline just south of the harbor. Dredging began June 24 and concluded on July 12. The total project cost was $406,753.
“We are pleased to complete the dredging of Manistee Harbor as part of our oversight of the Great Lakes Navigation System,” said Lt. Col. Robert Ells, district engineer. “Keeping the shipping channels open helps protect local jobs and permits transport of products in the most economical and environmentally friendly manner.”
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, maintains a navigation system that includes 95 harbors and the Great Lakes Connecting Channels that join lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, St. Clair and Erie.
For more details, contact Lynn Rose, Detroit District public affairs officer, 313-226-4680; or
Mollie Mahoney, project manager, 313-226-2033.
See the latest condition survey for the federal navigation channel in Manistee Harbor (Sheet 1) at:
http://www.lre.usace.army.mil/who/operationsofficehomepage/acrobatsurveys/acrobatsurveysinmichigan/manistee_harbor/
Release no. 073112-01