LORAIN, Ohio — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, completed dredging Tuesday of approximately 45,000 cubic yards of sediment from Lorain Harbor in just over one week, ensuring safe and navigable waterways for Great Lakes commercial vessels, recreational boaters and other harbor users on Lake Erie.
The work was completed 33% sooner than planned, in similar fashion to the efficient dredging completed just beforehand in Conneaut. The dredged sediment from Lorain Harbor is being recycled and beneficially used through the City of Lorain.
$2.5M dredging project in Lorain wrapped up in just 8 days.
Dredging started Sept. 15 to maintain safe navigation for commercial ships and recreational boats.
Lorain Harbor supports more than $36.7M in economic impact annually.
Photos & B-roll available (see links below).
“Completing dredging in Lorain Harbor in just 8 days is another mark of efficiency, good stewardship of American taxpayer dollars, and the dedication to mission the Corps of Engineers is known for,” said Lt. Col. Aaron Anderson, commander of the Buffalo District. “With this work complete, we’re able to turn our focus to more dredging across Ohio and Lake Erie to keep ports thriving, waterways safe, and the U.S. economy strong.”
Work started Sept. 15 and was completed Sept. 22 under a $2.5 million contract awarded in June 2026 to Michigan-based Walsh Service Solutions.
Approximately 45,000 cubic yards of sediment were mechanically dredged from the federal navigation channel in the harbor entrance and up-river to multiple docks. The material was placed in a local sediment recycling facility for beneficial use.
The harbor was last dredged in 2025, when approximately 40,000 cubic yards of material were removed. Lorain Harbor is dredged annually depending on shoaling conditions, funding availability and federal navigation priorities.
Lorain Harbor is a deep draft commercial harbor which handled one million tons of cargo, including limestone (93%) and salt (2.4%) in 2023. Waterborne transportation facilitated by the harbor supports $27.6 million in business revenue, 103 direct, indirect, and induced jobs, and $9.1 million in labor income to the transportation sector.
Authorized depths within Lorain Harbor range from 17 to 29 feet, with the shallowest depths in the turning basins and the deepest depths in the entrance channel. The Corps of Engineers maintains these depths to support safe and efficient navigation for large vessels.
Operation, maintenance and dredging of harbors like Lorain by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are critical to the economy of Ohio, the Great Lakes region, and the United States.
Photos & B-roll of dredging in Lorain Harbor are available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/buffalousace/albums/72177720298143599/
Aerial Photos & B-roll of Lorain Harbor are available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/buffalousace/albums/72157719339914916/
The Buffalo District delivers world-class engineering solutions to the Great Lakes Region, the Army and the Nation to ensure national security, environmental sustainability, water resource management, and emergency assistance during peace and war. Learn more at www.lrd.usace.army.mil/buffalo.
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