Posted on October 7, 2026
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, has begun dredging operations this week in Sandusky Harbor to maintain safe and navigable waterways for Great Lakes commercial vessels, recreational boaters and other harbor users on Lake Erie.
The Buffalo District awarded a $628,000 contract in July 2026 to Michigan-based Morrish-Wallace Construction Co. to complete the work. Dredging operations are scheduled to start Oct. 6, with sediment to be beneficially used for local beach nourishment.
- $628,000 dredging project in Sandusky Harbor will maintain safe navigation for commercial ships and recreational boats.
- Dredging starts Oct. 6 with sediment to be beneficially used for local beach nourishment.
- Sandusky Harbor supports more than $322M in economic impact annually.
“Maintaining the operation of ports like Sandusky is a core part of our mission and essential to more than $322 million in annual economic impact,” said Lt. Col. Aaron Anderson, commander of the Buffalo District. “Our work here does more than just clear a navigation channel – it sustains people’s livelihoods, supports their communities, and powers the regional and national economy.”
Approximately 109,000 cubic yards of sediment will be mechanically dredged from the federal navigation channel in the Moseley and Straight Channels. 9,000 cubic yards of material will be placed in a designated open-lake site, and 100,000 cubic yards will be placed in a nearshore site, allowing local currents to deposit the material along the coastline, mimicking natural nourishment processes.
Work is scheduled to start Oct. 6 and will be completed by Nov. 1.
The harbor was last dredged in 2025, when approximately 9,000 cubic yards of material were removed and placed in the open lake. Sandusky Harbor is dredged annually depending on shoaling conditions, funding availability and federal navigation priorities.
Boaters are encouraged to use caution near active dredging equipment and maintain a safe distance from work areas. Dredging activities are coordinated to minimize disruption whenever possible and are not expected to impede navigation.
Sandusky Harbor is a deep draft commercial harbor which handled 2.6 million tons of cargo, including coal & lignite (90%), petroleum coke (5%), and coal coke (4%) in 2023. Waterborne transportation facilitated by the harbor supports $266.8 million in business revenue, 864 direct, indirect, and induced jobs, and $55.5 million in labor income to the transportation sector.
Authorized depths within Sandusky Harbor range from 21 to 26 feet, with the shallowest depths in the Straight Channel and the deepest depths in the Moseley Channel. The Corps of Engineers maintains these depths to support safe and efficient navigation for large vessels.
Operation, maintenance and dredging of harbors like Sandusky by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is critical to the economy of Ohio, the Great Lakes region, and the United States.
