Posted on August 19, 2024
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District has contracted with the Inland Dredging Company, LLC, for the rental of a 24-inch hydraulic cutterhead dredge, attendant plant, and discharge pipeline for the annual maintenance dredging of ten Mississippi River harbors this year.
“The Memphis District is responsible for the maintenance dredging of 10 harbors within our area of responsibility,” Project Delivery Team Manager Vickie Watson said.
Dredging these harbors involves removing sediment from the authorized navigation channel to provide the 9-foot depth needed for fully loaded commercial barges to travel in and out of harbors safely.
“This is an important part of our navigation mission and responsibilities, as harbors like these are vital links to regional rail and highway transportation systems,” Watson added.
The following harbors are scheduled for dredging: Memphis Harbor in McKellar Lake, Tennessee; Elvis Stahr Harbor in Hickman, Kentucky; Northwest Tennessee Harbor in Tiptonville, Tennessee; New Madrid City Harbor in Missouri; New Madrid County Harbor in Missouri; Caruthersville Harbor in Missouri; Osceola Harbor in Arkansas; Wolf River Harbor in Tennessee; Helena Harbor in Arkansas; and Helena Harbor in Phillips County, Arkansas.
Crews will then return to the starting point at Memphis Harbor in McKellar Lake to dredge a second time before concluding this year’s dredging.
The district awarded the contract for just under $11.5 million on Feb. 2, 2024, with dredge work starting July 1 and expected to finish no later than January 2025.
Dredging of all 10 harbors for the 2024-25 season were funded through associated appropriations, including general operations and maintenance and Mississippi River and Tributaries funding.
Maintenance efforts are crucial in ensuring river traffic runs smoothly, which is why the Memphis District prioritizes regular maintenance activities like annual dredging.
“These harbors help to deliver products and commodities to and from global markets,” Watson explained. “Without regular maintenance dredging, barges eventually couldn’t make their way up and down the river and in and out of the harbors as needed – this is why we [USACE] dredge and why it is so important to do so.”
Additionally important are the district’s partners, who ensure this project’s success year after year:
- Mr. Randy Richardson with the International Port of Memphis, Tennessee,
- Director of Public Works for the City of Memphis, Tennessee,
- Mr. Greg Curlin with the Hickman-Fulton County Riverport Authority, Hickman, Kentucky,
- Mr. John Edward with the Phillips County Port Authority, Helena-West Helena, Arkansas,
- Mr. Jimmy William with the Port of Cates Landing, Tiptonville, Tennessee,
- Mr. John Ferguson II with the Pemiscot County Port Authority, Caruthersville, Missouri,
- Mayor Kevin Smith with the City of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas,
- Mrs. Timmie Lynn Hunter with the New Madrid Port Authority, City of New Madrid, Missouri,
- Mayor Joe Harris, Jr. with the City of Osceola, Arkansas, and,
- Mayor Nick White with the City of New Madrid.
For more information related to the Memphis District, navigation, dredging, and more, please visit the Memphis District website at www.mvm.usace.army.mil.
IN THE PHOTO, the Inland Dredging Company’s cutterhead dredge “Integrity” works to dredge the Memphis Harbor/McKellar Lake, which was the last of 10 harbors dredged in the Memphis District during 2019.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District has contracted with the Inland Dredging Company, LLC, for the rental of a 24-inch hydraulic cutterhead dredge, attendant plant, and discharge pipeline for the annual maintenance dredging of ten Mississippi River harbors this year.
