Sandusky Harbor Dredging Completed; Benefits Local Beach Nourishment

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, completed dredging on Nov. 5 of approximately 109,000 cubic yards of sediment from Sandusky Harbor, ensuring safe and navigable waterways for Great Lakes commercial vessels, recreational boaters and other harbor users on Lake Erie.

The work was completed under a $628,000 contract, with the majority of the sediments dredged placed in a nearshore site, allowing local currents to deposit the material along the coastline, mimicking natural nourishment processes.

• 100,000 cubic yards of dredged sediments placed in nearshore site, nourishing Ohio’s coastline.
• $628K project maintains safe navigation for commercial ships and recreational boats.
• Sandusky Harbor supports more than $322M in economic impact annually.
• Photos & B-roll available here.

“Completing dredging in Sandusky Harbor is another mark of the Corps of Engineers’ dedication to efficiency, good stewardship of American taxpayer dollars, and delivery of a critical mission the Corps of Engineers is known for,” said Lt. Col. Aaron Anderson, commander of the Buffalo District. “This work ensures vessels remain safe, ports across Ohio and the Great Lakes keep thriving, and the U.S. economy stays strong.”

Work started Oct. 6 and was completed under a $628,000 contract awarded in July 2026 to Michigan-based Morrish-Wallace Construction Co.

Approximately 109,000 cubic yards of sediment was mechanically dredged from the federal navigation channel in the Moseley and Straight Channels. 9,000 cubic yards of material was placed in a designated open-lake site, and 100,000 cubic yards was placed in the nearshore site.

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.

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.

Photos of dredging in Sandusky Harbor are available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/buffalousace/albums/72157714753598288/

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.