The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Seattle District, kicked off its annual maintenance dredging in Grays Harbor on April 8, a key effort that keeps one of Washington’s most important coastal channels open and safe for navigation- including commercial fishing traffic.
The Corps has contracted the dredge Yaquina, one of the only two government hopper dredges on the West Coast, to remove built-up sediment from the federal navigation channel. The work, scheduled to continue through May 24, focuses on shoaled areas between river mile 2 and river mile 14, stretching from South Reach up to Cow Point Reach.
The Yaquina is expected to remove about 1 million cubic yards of material, critical for keeping the channel deep and accessible for both commercial shipping and local fisheries. The dredging will help ensure safe transit for fishing vessels, which rely on consistent channel depth for access to the ocean and offloading points in the harbor.
Dredged materials will be placed at authorized in-water sites adjacent to the channel, with disposal areas including the South Beach site, Half Moon Bay, and nearshore site just south of the Westport entrance.
This annual maintenance is part of the Corps’ long-standing effort to support navigation and economic activity in the region. Grays Harbor working waterfront is vital for commercial fishermen and mariners alike, and the maintenance dredging helps ensure they can continue to operate safely and efficiently during the season.
Mariners in the area should watch for dredging operations and follow any posted navigational notices from the Corps.
