At A Glance
- Accelerated Dredging Execution: USACE Buffalo District completed dredging of approximately 75,000 cubic yards of sediment from Conneaut Harbor in just 10 days—finishing 33% faster than scheduled.
- Contract & Vendor Execution: Executed under a $4.1 million contract awarded in June 2026 to Michigan-based contractor Walsh Service Solutions.
- Beneficial Sediment Reuse: Mechanically dredged material from the harbor entrance and Canadian National docks was transferred to a local sediment recycling facility for beneficial reuse with the City of Conneaut and Conneaut Port Authority.
- Navigation Channel Specifications: Maintained authorized draft depths ranging from 8 feet in access channels to 29 feet in the outer harbor to support commercial Great Lakes shipping.
- Economic Cargo Impact: Protects a deep-draft commercial port handling 3.7M tons of cargo annually (95% iron ore, 2% limestone, 1% sand/gravel), generating $215.9M in business revenue and supporting 765 regional jobs.
Editor’s Note: The following is an official operational update from the USACE Buffalo District, curated by America’s Engineers for general public, commercial contractor, and industry visibility. The original report can be found at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers news repository.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, completed dredging today of approximately 75,000 cubic yards of sediment from Conneaut Harbor in just 10 days, ensuring safe and navigable waterways for Great Lakes commercial vessels, recreational boaters and other harbor users on Lake Erie.
The work was completed 33% faster than planned. The dredged sediment is being recycled and beneficially used through the City of Conneaut and Conneaut Port Authority.
“Completing dredging in Conneaut Harbor in just 10 days is a 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.1 and was completed Sept. 10 under a $4.1 million contract awarded in June 2026 to Michigan-based Walsh Service Solutions.
Approximately 75,000 cubic yards of sediment was mechanically dredged from the federal navigation channel in the harbor entrance and up-river to the Canadian National docks. The material was placed in a local sediment recycling facility for beneficial use.
The harbor was last dredged in 2025, when approximately 70,000 cubic yards of material were removed. Conneaut Harbor is dredged annually depending on shoaling conditions, funding availability and federal navigation priorities.
We’re so glad you are here! Like what you’re reading? Make America’s Engineers a Google preferred news source.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.
Conneaut Harbor is a deep-draft commercial harbor which handled 3.7 million tons of cargo, primarily iron ore (95%), with some limestone (2%), and sand and gravel (1%) in 2023. Waterborne transportation facilitated by the harbor supports $215.9 million in business revenue, 765 jobs, and $55.3 million in labor income to the transportation sector.
Authorized depths within Conneaut Harbor range from eight to 29 feet, with the shallowest depths in the access channel and the deepest depths in the outer harbor. The Corps of Engineers maintains these depths to support safe and efficient navigation for large vessels.
Operation, maintenance and dredging of harbors like Conneaut by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is critical to the economy of Ohio, the Great Lakes region, and the United States.
This article was originally published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under the title, “In Just 10 Days, Conneaut Harbor Dredging Completed.” Reposted with permission.
