Maintenance dredging of the Charleston Harbor is set to begin in August, with work expected to continue until next fall. This project aims to ensure the channel remains safe and operational for both commercial and military vessels utilizing the Charleston waterways.
The Charleston District recently awarded a contract totaling $28,175,500 to The Dutra Group, based in San Rafael, California, for this essential work. According to a USACE project manager, Jacob Kyzar, regular maintenance dredging is crucial for the continued operability of the harbor’s navigation infrastructure. This effort supports the harbor’s role as a reliable, deep-water ocean port, vital for defense missions and its status as the fourth-busiest container port on the East Coast.
Contractors plan to deploy two mechanical dredges simultaneously to maintain two turning basins and approximately 19 miles of channel within the harbor. The material removed during dredging will be loaded onto scows and transported to the Charleston Ocean Dredged Material Placement Site.
The Charleston Harbor is recognized as one of the nation’s 17 strategic ports, playing a significant role in national defense and serving as a major economic driver for the Eastern Seaboard. The broader federal navigation project for Charleston Harbor encompasses the operation and maintenance of over 38 miles of channel, three turning basins, one anchorage basin, and four dredged material placement areas. While the lower harbor requires annual maintenance dredging, the entrance channel is typically dredged every other year, and the upper harbor receives service every 15 to 18 months.
Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution during construction due to active dredging vessels navigating the harbor. They should monitor official radio channels for the latest local navigation updates.
