Posted on June 25, 2025
Harbor dredging is underway in South Haven as the city seeks to keep the waterway open to boat traffic.
South Haven Assistant City Manager Michael Landis tells us Pero Marine started dredging a couple of weeks ago, but then there was a weather delay of about a week. As of Tuesday, the crew was back out clearing the outer harbor at the South Haven pier heads.
“We are currently in the process, they’re out there today on the 24th, finishing up some more dredging and hopefully, we will have the beach nourishment take place later this week before the big show on the 3rd,” Landis said.
Landis says as part of the project, sand will be added to South Beach to keep it healthy and bustling.
“Beach nourishment is really important as it relates to general resiliency of the shoreline and increasing the capacity of our beaches for public enjoyment. Just general nourishment for the shoreline is a good thing. It’s a protective asset.”
The crew will remove about 500 cubic yards of material and move it over to the beach.
Landis says this is a city project, costing about $72,000. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers usually handles the harbor dredging, but due to excessive shoaling, the city undertook the work itself this time. Landis says the water is usually about 10 or 11 feet deep, but right now, it’s about 8 feet, meaning some larger vessels can’t get in or out.
The goal is to have everything finished prior to July 1, as Landis said, so everyone can enjoy a lovely view for the fireworks show on the 3rd.
