Introduction
South Haven, Michigan, is once again making waves with a critical infrastructure effort designed to ensure safe navigation, support local tourism, and preserve the city’s cherished beaches. A new dredging project, led by Pero Marine Construction, is underway to clear obstructive sandbars near the north and south piers. As the summer season approaches, this timely initiative highlights the vital role of channel dredging and pier dredging in maintaining both economic and recreational vitality in this lakeside community.
The Challenge Beneath the Surface
Each fall and winter, South Haven faces a recurring natural issue: sandbars forming at the mouth of the harbor, near the north and south pierheads. These underwater mounds result from sediment carried by runoff and waves that deposit sand in front of the piers. While this may seem like a minor inconvenience, it becomes a serious navigational hazard when water levels drop.
In these shallower conditions, larger vessels attempting to enter or exit the harbor risk running aground. This jeopardizes commercial operations, private boating, and even the movement of historic ships, such as the Friends Good Will, a replica tall ship based at the Michigan Maritime Museum.
Recognizing the growing risk, local authorities and marine experts identified the need for a comprehensive pier dredging and channel dredging plan to remove these obstructions.
A Complex Operation at the Mercy of Nature
Jake Pero, owner of Pero Marine Construction, detailed the technical scope of the operation. “We’re going to come in and dig it out mechanically with clam buckets,” he explained. “There will be a crane on the barge that digs in the lake, and it’ll offload on other barges that have containers on them.”
While the team recently completed a simpler dredging project in the Black River’s turning basin to aid the Friends Good Will, this pier-focused effort is more complex. The open water exposure near the pierheads makes dredging particularly vulnerable to windy and wavy conditions, a common occurrence along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
“The only issue is, it’s all weather permitting,” added Pero. “We’re waiting for a calm east wind over the lake so we can operate safely and efficiently.”
Timing Is Everything
With the tourist season rapidly approaching, completing the channel dredging ahead of peak summer traffic is crucial. South Haven’s harbor is a hub of recreational boating, fishing charters, and waterfront events. Ensuring that vessels can safely navigate the channel without risk of grounding is crucial to sustaining local businesses and tourism, both literally and figuratively.
Delays due to weather are frustrating, but the dredging team is ready to mobilize as soon as conditions permit. The operation, expected to take two to three days under favorable conditions, represents a short-term investment with long-term benefits for the city’s maritime infrastructure.
Turning Dredged Material into Community Value
One of the most innovative and environmentally conscious aspects of this project is the repurposing of the dredged material. Instead of discarding the extracted sand, South Haven plans to let the spoils dry and then return them to local beaches as part of an ongoing restoration effort.
“When we get the material out, we’ll let the spoils dry for a few days, and then it’s going to get taken back down to the beach for beach restoration,” Pero said. “So everybody will have even a bigger beach to play on.”
This sustainable approach not only reduces waste but also enhances public spaces, helping to combat erosion and preserve the shoreline for residents and visitors alike.
Economic and Environmental Impact
South Haven’s dredging projects may appear as routine maintenance, but their ripple effects are significant. Keeping the harbor accessible is vital for the local economy, which thrives on boating tourism, fishing, and waterfront activities. By ensuring the channel remains navigable, the city protects dozens of businesses and jobs that depend on a steady flow of marine traffic.
Environmentally, careful pier dredging can prevent more severe disruptions caused by emergency operations or vessel accidents. Additionally, the repurposing of dredged materials for beach restoration aligns with broader sustainability goals, reducing the need for imported sand and enhancing natural coastal resilience.
Conclusion
This latest dredging effort demonstrates South Haven’s proactive approach to managing its waterway infrastructure. It reflects a broader trend observed across Great Lakes communities: investing in channel dredging and pier dredging not only as a response to natural sediment buildup, but also as a strategic tool for economic development, safety, and environmental stewardship.
With improved conditions in the harbor, historic vessels like the Friends Good Will will once again be able to set sail on Lake Michigan, and boaters of all kinds will navigate the channel with confidence. Meanwhile, families enjoying summer on the beach will benefit from wider, cleaner shorelines—made possible by a project that’s as much about foresight as it is about excavation.
As summer begins and the lake beckons, South Haven is proving that thoughtful dredging isn’t just about digging—it’s about building stronger, safer, and more enjoyable coastal communities for all.