Posted on January 10, 2023
A contractor for the city of Paducah is making preparations to dredge the 8-acre deposit of sediment in the Ohio River downstream of the Paducah Transient Boat Dock.
Dredge America, Inc. will store equipment and supplies at the boat launch on Burnett Street until the first week of March when the dredging will begin on the mass of sediment in front of the old Executive Inn Showroom.
The dredged material will be discharged more than three-fourths of a mile downstream in a permitted deep water area so that it will not affect the Ohio River’s navigational channel.
In October the City of Paducah approved a three-year contract with Dredge America for hydraulic dredging of sediment downstream of the Transient Dock. The City also received a permit from the Kentucky Division of Water with agreement from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to perform up to 60,000 cubic yards of dredging per year to maintain access to the dock.
Paducah’s 340-foot dock opened in 2017, but even during construction in the summer of 2016 the sediment mass had already become noticeable.
During 2018, 2019, and 2020, Paducah experienced extended periods with the Ohio River above flood stage that caused more silt and sediment to be deposited downstream of the dock.
As the sediment grew, it has also impacted Midwest Terminal’s ability to offload hot liquid asphalt during low-water conditions.
As a result of the flooding, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has obligated $3.97 million in federal funds for Paducah’s dredging project, which will cover 90 percent of the total project cost. The remaining amount is split between the state and city.
The Burnett Street boat launch will remain open for the public’s use during the project, but a section of the parking lot will be unavailable.
