Posted on April 13, 2026
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Charleston District, will start dredging the Little River Inlet in Horry County. Staff expect to start dredging on April 13.
The operations and maintenance project will remove about 65,000 cubic yards of sand from a shoal in the federal navigation channel and use that material to stabilize the northern jetty.
Jetty maintennce, here, is critical as Little River Inlet provides the only access for miles in each direction to the Atlantic Ocean for commercial and recreational fishing. This sand placement is important as it will help prevent flanking of the jetty from erosion. Additionally, contractors will plant the sand dike with appropriate native vegetation to aid in erosion control after completing jetty rehabilitation.
Dredging the inlet is part of Charleston District’s normal operations and maintenance of this channel. The local community relies on a safe harbor for commercial and recreation vessels navigating the waterway.
Charleston District recently awarded a contract to Dredgit to do the work, and they are mobilizing. Crews will access the worksite at the Sunset Pier in North Carolina. Engineers estimate the project will take 30-45 days to complete.
Multiple agencies are in close coordination and include the Town of Sunset Beach and its police department, North Carolina Division of Coastal Management, North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, USACE Charleston District and Dredgit. They advise the public to adhere to posted areas and keep their distance from the active project area.
