USACE Detroit begins dredging Grand Haven outer harbor

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Detroit District began its annual maintenance dredging of the outer Grand Haven Harbor federal channel in Michigan on June 13.

The work, which is expected to conclude by June 30, will remove approximately 14,600 cubic yards of sand from the mouth of the Grand River. The dredged material, which tested as more than 90 per cent sand, will be placed in nearshore waters in Lake Michigan.

The USACE stated this "beneficial reuse" of the sand is intended to help combat shoreline erosion.

Officials clarified that this project does not include the inner harbor, where plans for dredging areas with potential per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contamination are still being developed with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Environment (EGLE).

Future dredging of the inner harbor will see material placed at a designated upland site, they added.

The dredging is being performed by King Co of Holland, Michigan, as part of a three-harbor contract. Officials have asked the public to avoid the dredging vessels and active work areas.