Posted on June 3, 2026
PORTLAND, Ore. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, has finalized a 20-year plan to maintain the lower Columbia River’s deep-draft navigation channel, a critical artery for the nation’s economy.
The Dredged Material Management Plan (DMMP) provides a long-term strategy for managing sediment dredged from the river bottom to maintain the channel’s 43-foot depth and 600-foot width. Without regular maintenance dredging, sections of the river can become too shallow, forcing restrictions on commercial ships.
Each year, USACE must dredge 6-8 million cubic yards of sediment from the Columbia; the plan outlines how the material will be put to beneficial use, including creating habitat for fish and wildlife, and protecting riverbanks. This approach helps the Corps meet its national goal of beneficially using 70% of dredged material by 2030.
In 2023, the “water highway” that is the Columbia River moved over 51 million tons of cargo valued at approximately $25.3 billion. The Columbia River is a top export gateway for American wheat, corn, and soy. The recently announced “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” initiative from the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works specifically identifies increasing dredging capacity as a key priority. The DMMP is an implementation of that priority, ensuring the channel remains reliable for years to come.
“This plan is about more than just finding a place for sediment; it’s about our commitment to the future of the river itself,” said Dan Robledo, the project manager. “We asked ourselves how we could maintain this economic engine for the nation while leaving the river healthier and more resilient for the next generation. This plan is our answer.”
The decision follows a multi-year effort that involved close collaboration with the Lower Columbia River sponsor ports of Portland, Vancouver USA, Kalama, Longview, and Woodland, as well as federal and state agencies, Tribal nations, and the public.
Additional details about the plan, including cost and timelines, are available in the Final Environmental Impact Statement and the signed Record of Decision.
