Posted on July 30, 2025
The City of Two Rivers is considering funding for a project that would typically be undertaken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The city council discussed obtaining funding from the Wisconsin Harbor Assistance program to conduct partial dredging of the entrance to the Two Rivers harbor, which Parks and Recreation Director Mike Mathis says is necessary.
Usually, the Army Corp. is responsible for dredging the area, but Mathis noted, “we are likely pushed off until 2027 if it gets approved by the Army Corp. of Engineers for them to do our harbor dredging,”
Mathis says the funding would be an 80/20 matching grant if the city got it.
He also says that the Susie Q boats have had some trouble out that way previously.
The letter of intent for the harbor assistance funding would have to be by this Friday (August 1st).
A resolution would also have to be passed by the council to accept the money.
City Manager Greg Buckley says dredging of the area happened about 10 years ago, but because it’s a federal waterway:
“We can certainly reach out to Senator Johnson’s office, Senator Baldwin’s Office, and Representative Grothman to urge them,” he explained. “But I have no idea what the status is on the next federal budget.”
Council Vice President Adam Wachowski expressed concern that, as a federal waterway, the area requires the city to attempt to dredge part of it.
Buckley says that because there is no assurance from the Army Corps of Engineers right now, he hopes that the city taking action will eventually lead to them taking over the project.
The Army Corps has a request to initiate a dredging project in 2027.
According to NOAA, dredging is the removal of sediments and debris from the bottoms of lakes, rivers, harbors, and other bodies of water to prevent the natural process of sand and silt washing downstream and filling channels and harbors.
