Michigan company to dredge Ontonagon Harbor

By Emily SchaeferAugust 11, 2020

Ontonagon Harbor, Michigan on the south shore of Lake Superior in 2019
Ontonagon Harbor, Michigan on the south shore of Lake Superior in 2019 (Photo Credit: Emily Schaefer) VIEW ORIGINAL

DETROIT – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, awarded a contract for Ontonagon Harbor maintenance dredging about 140 miles east of Duluth, Minnesota, on the south shore of Lake Superior.

USACE awarded a maintenance dredging contract for Ontonagon Harbor in August to MCM Marine Inc., out of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The contract (award number W911XK20C0016) was for $725,500 to dredge 84,000 cubic yards of material from Ontonagon Harbor. Material from the dredging sites will be placed east of the harbor to nourish the shoreline. This will help address issues of beach erosion and lake encroachment, especially during the current period of high water.

“Consistent maintenance dredging in Ontonagon Harbor helps vessels navigate safely through this area and will allow the community to support the development of new commercial users of the harbor,” said Renee Peruski, project manager.

Work for the Ontonagon Harbor dredging project could begin as early as May 2021 and is scheduled to be complete August 2021. Weather could likely dictate the timing of the dredging efforts. Ontonagon Harbor was last dredged in 2019.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, maintains a navigation system of 84 harbors including the channels joining lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, St. Clair and Erie. To see the latest condition surveys of the area to be dredged, visit http://www.lre.usace.army.mil. Under the “Missions” tab, click “Operations,” “Project Overview Information” then “Ontonagon Harbor.”

-30-