CHARLEVOIX, Mich. — The Charlevoix Harbor channel is on track to have approximately 13,000 cubic yards of sediment cleared by May 15, in a routine maintenance operation overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District.
The dredging work, costing around $480,000, will be conducted by Great Lakes Dock and Materials, LLC, headquartered in Muskegon. The dredged material will be safely disposed of in a state-sanctioned site located about one and a half miles northwest of the harbor entrance into Lake Michigan.
Channel Usage and Importance
This strategically important channel, which runs about one mile between Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan, supports the local U.S. Coast Guard Station, commercial traffic including a ferry to Beaver Island, commercial fishing ventures, and extensive recreational boating.
Maintenance and Environmental Considerations
Under the authority of the U.S. Rivers and Harbors Act, the Charlevoix Harbor is maintained as a deep draft harbor with a depth of 18 feet in Lake Michigan and the inner channels of Lake Charlevoix. To protect aquatic life, dredging is prohibited from May 15 to July 15 annually, adhering to the regulations of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Safety and Navigation
The public is encouraged to avoid the dredging areas and observe all posted safety signs. The operation will ensure navigational safety with marked vessels and clear signaling offshore.
Role of Detroit District
The Detroit District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages a vast navigation system, maintaining 81 harbors and waterways connecting Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, St. Clair, and Erie. This district is instrumental in delivering critical public engineering services that bolster national security, protect the environment, stimulate the economy, and mitigate natural disaster risks.