Introduction
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Detroit District, is set to begin a major harbor dredging project in Manistique Harbor, Michigan, on August 7. The $1.9 million initiative will remove approximately 92,500 cubic yards of sediment from the harbor floor and strategically place the material along the west breakwater beach area to combat shoreline erosion.
The work, awarded to Next Generation Logistics based in New Orleans, is a critical step toward restoring safe navigational conditions and protecting the Lake Michigan shoreline near Manistique.
Addressing Years of Sediment Build-Up
Like many Great Lakes harbors, Manistique Harbor has been impacted by shoaling — the accumulation of sediment that reduces water depth and obstructs vessel movement. The USACE routinely conducts hydrographic condition surveys to assess sediment levels in federally managed harbors, and recent assessments revealed significant shoaling in the Manistique area.
“Maintaining a 12-foot depth in the harbor is essential for safe commercial and recreational users,” said Justin Proulx, Chief of the St. Marys River Section for the Corps of Engineers. “Those assessments have demonstrated significant shoaling in Manistique Harbor.”
Shoaling presents a serious hazard to navigation, particularly in a harbor like Manistique, which serves a combination of commercial vessels, fishing boats, and recreational craft. Reduced depth can damage hulls, increase the risk of grounding, and disrupt the efficiency of cargo operations.
Scope of the Dredging Operation
The dredging process will involve the mechanical removal of 92,500 cubic yards of sediment from the harbor bottom. Operations will run daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Sunday, to ensure the project is completed efficiently and within the seasonal work window. The sediment will be placed along the shoreline west of the harbor breakwater, extending 7,000 feet along the nearshore lake bottom at depths ranging from four to ten feet.
This approach serves a dual purpose: it restores the harbor’s original depth for navigational safety and uses the removed sediment to replenish eroded shoreline areas.
The sediment will be deposited below the ordinary high-water mark, in accordance with environmental regulations, ensuring minimal disruption to the local ecosystem while maximizing the benefit of the dredged material.
Environmental and Coastal Benefits
One of the more innovative aspects of the Manistique Harbor dredging project is its beneficial reuse of the dredged material. Rather than disposing of the sediment at sea or in confined disposal facilities, it will be repurposed to nourish high-erosion areas near the harbor.
This method of sediment placement is aligned with USACE’s Engineering With Nature (EWN) initiative, which promotes sustainable, nature-based solutions to engineering challenges. By placing clean, suitable sediment along the shoreline, the project helps to:
- Reduce coastal erosion: The added material acts as a buffer against wave energy, slowing erosion along the west breakwater beach.
- Restore habitat: The new material helps reestablish beach and nearshore habitats critical for fish and bird species.
- Protect infrastructure: Rebuilding the shoreline can help shield nearby infrastructure and land from storm surge and wave damage.
Economic Impact on the Local Community
Dredging is not only an environmental effort but also an economic necessity for waterfront communities like Manistique. The harbor supports commercial shipping, recreational boating, tourism, and local fishing industries, all of which depend on safe and reliable harbor access.
With sediment buildup reducing the navigable depth of the harbor, vessels risk running aground, especially during low water conditions or rough weather. These hazards can discourage use of the harbor and reduce tourism and business traffic.
By restoring the harbor to its federally authorized depth of 12 feet, the project will allow for safe passage of vessels and help maintain Manistique’s status as a key coastal access point on Lake Michigan’s northern shore.
Importance of Routine Maintenance
This project is part of the USACE’s broader mission to maintain over 130 deep-draft harbors and navigation channels across the Great Lakes system. Harbor dredging is a recurring need due to the natural movement of sediment within coastal and river systems.
Regular maintenance dredging ensures that these harbors remain operational and resilient in the face of changing environmental conditions, including increased precipitation, runoff, and climate-driven fluctuations in lake levels.
In recent years, the Corps has increasingly emphasized sustainable dredging practices, community collaboration, and regional sediment management. These practices help reduce long-term maintenance costs, minimize environmental impact, and deliver more resilient outcomes.
Timeline and Public Awareness
While dredging operations can generate temporary disturbances such as noise, equipment presence, and restricted access to certain shoreline areas, the USACE and its contractors are committed to minimizing these impacts. Public notices will be issued if additional safety measures or temporary restrictions are required during active dredging.
Residents and visitors are advised to remain aware of operations along the west breakwater area and to follow all posted guidance.
The project is expected to be completed within the 2025 dredging season, though progress may depend on weather conditions and lake behavior.
Conclusion
The upcoming harbor dredging project in Manistique represents a significant investment in the community’s infrastructure, environmental resilience, and economic vitality. By removing hazardous sediment and repurposing it to strengthen the shoreline, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its partners are helping to ensure that Manistique Harbor remains a safe, functional, and sustainable asset for years to come.
As climate and lake dynamics continue to shift, adaptive and forward-thinking dredging efforts like this one will be increasingly critical across the Great Lakes region. Through a combination of technical expertise, environmental stewardship, and community engagement, harbor dredging continues to serve as a cornerstone of coastal management.