Mandurah dredging program well underway

The City of Mandurah’s dredging program, which is crucial for maintaining safe navigation depths, has made significant progress at the Port Mandurah canal entrance channel, with works now set to move to the Mandurah Ocean Marina entrance.

The program is essential to remove built-up sediment from channels to ensure that water routes remain safe and accessible, particularly with the busy summer boating period approaching. The sediment targeted in this process is a mixture of seaweed and sand that has accumulated since the last dredging campaign, completed two years ago.

All boat-users are asked to observe any signage or temporary navigational markers and maintain a safe distance from ongoing works across the project area.

Dredging will take place during daylight hours from Monday to Friday, but boaters should be aware of equipment at all times throughout the dredging period, which is scheduled to continue until December 15, 2023.

During the sediment pumping process, dark sediments may appear in the water but settle within approximately 24 hours. The dark colour and potential odour are due to a lack of sun exposure on the estuary floor and the seaweed contained in the sediment.