Posted on October 27, 2026
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, will begin fall dredging this week in Cleveland Harbor to maintain safe and navigable waterways for Great Lakes commercial vessels, recreational boaters and other harbor users on Lake Erie.
The Buffalo District awarded an $11.7 million contract in April 2026 to New York-based DMYLES, Inc. to complete the work. Dredging operations are scheduled to start Oct. 22 and include removal of additional sediment to address critical areas of shoaling in the upper river and support local industry and commercial shipping needs.
“Maintaining the operation of ports like Cleveland is a core part of our mission and essential to nearly $789 million in annual economic impact,” said Lt. Col. Aaron Anderson, commander of the Buffalo District. “Our work here does more than just clear a navigation channel – it sustains people’s livelihoods, supports their communities, and powers the regional and national economy.”
Fall dredging will bring the total sediment dredged from the federal navigation channel in upper Cuyahoga River this year to approximately 260,000 cubic yards. In total this year, 110,000 cubic yards will be beneficially used through recycling at the Port of Cleveland’s sediment processing management facility, and 150,000 cubic yards will be placed in the port’s confined disposal facility 12.
Work is scheduled to take place from Oct. 22 into December 2026.
Dredging of Cleveland Harbor is conducted twice annually by USACE, based on need and the availability of funding. The harbor was last dredged in 2025, with 255,651 cubic yards of sediments removed.
Boaters are encouraged to use caution near active dredging equipment and maintain a safe distance from work areas. Dredging activities are coordinated to minimize disruption whenever possible and are not expected to impede navigation.
Cleveland Harbor is a deep draft commercial harbor which handled 13.8 million tons of cargo, including iron ore (64%), limestone (16%) and salt (9%) in 2023. Waterborne transportation facilitated by the harbor supports $646.1 million in business revenue, 2,329 direct, indirect, and induced jobs, and $142.6 million in labor income to the transportation sector.
Authorized depths within Cleveland Harbor range from 18 to 29 feet, with the shallowest depths in the Cuyahoga River turning basin and the deepest depths in the entrance channel. The Corps of Engineers maintains these depths to support safe and efficient navigation for large vessels.
Operation, maintenance and dredging of harbors like Cleveland by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is critical to the economy of Ohio, the Great Lakes region, and the United States.
