Posted on December 18, 2025
Seattle District, Northwestern Division
NWD Priority: Maintaining a safe, reliable, and accessible Federal navigation channels throughout the Northwestern Division, a top priority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Routine dredging of harbors, rivers, and coastal channels to preserve the congressionally authorized project depths essential for commercial, tribal, and recreational navigation.
WHO: Seattle District USACE with Duwamish Services, LLC.
WHAT: Hydraulic dredging of Quillayute and Everett Channels.
WHEN: Start date, Sept ‘25 (Quillayute), transitioned to Snohomish River in Oct ‘25.
WHERE: Quillayute River at La Push, WA. & Snohomish River at Everett, WA.
WHY: Maintain safe navigation and federally authorized channel depths.
WHAT’S NEXT: Contract closeout and performance review of new dredge metrics.
Summary
In 2025, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Seattle District, under the Northwestern Division (NWD), partnered with Duwamish Services to hydraulically dredge the Quillayute River Federal Channel at La Push and the Snohomish River Federal Channel at Everett, Washington. In preparation for the Quillayute contract bid, Duwamish Services acquired a new Ellicott Series 670 Dragon Dredge, capable of removing up to 1,100 cubic yards of material per day consisting of silt, sand, clay, and gravel. The new dredge efficiently removed accumulated debris, restoring the authorized channel depths and improving navigation safety for local vessels. These successful operations not only demonstrated the dredge’s strong performance and reliability but also supports future readiness for regional maintenance dredging projects, reinforcing USACE’s mission to maintain safe, navigable waterways across the Northwestern Division.
Hydraulic Dredge lit up at night while dredging. The Snohomish River Channel
Dredging at Everett utilizing the floating pipe to be discharged on Jetty Island
Dredge shipped directly to La Push and assembled onsite
Hydraulic Dredge being deployed into the Quillayute Marina
New cutterhead that is 43” in diameter with a 100 HP cutter shaft; has a capability of up to 7,405 lbs. cutting force
