Posted on September 2, 2021
STATE INITIATIVE: Equipment to remove sediment near harbor
KENT — Dredging is underway at Oak Orchard Harbor, a navigation channel in Orleans County, used by boaters to access Lake Ontario.
Dredging of the navigation channel is part of a $15 million Regional Dredging Initiative through the state’s Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative.
“Communities along Lake Ontario have been forced to grapple with the impacts of extreme weather and flooding for the past several years and New York is doing everything within its power to bolster the shoreline and ensure we do not see a repeat of 2019,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul in a press release. “By undertaking these types of dredging and resiliency efforts, we are not only keeping people safe and easing the minds of lakefront homeowners, but also protecting the wildlife in the coastal habitats and helping boost tourism by creating safe recreational access for boaters.”
The Oak Orchard Harbor project will remove approximately 8,400 cubic yards of sediment using mechanical dredging. Mechanical dredging uses heavy equipment, such as an excavator, to dig out the bed of the body of water and then remove the excess built-up sediment. The dredging fleet for the Oak Orchard project includes a barge, excavator and two dump scows, as well one tugboat and one work boat to support the overall operation. Removed sediment will be placed in a designated nearshore area to the east of the harbor.
“As we look for ways to support and promote recreational activities along the shorelines of Lake Ontario, the dredging of Oak Orchard Harbor is vital to providing access to the over 400 boat slips and six launch lanes within the harbor,” said Lynne Johnson, Orleans County Legislature chairwoman. “This project, undertaken by the Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative, demonstrates the commitment by the governor to maintaining access to the navigable waterways that contribute to the success of the local fishing, boating and tourism activities within the town of Carlton and Orleans County.”
In Orleans County, future dredging sites will be at Johnson Creek.
