U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Awards Contract to Dredge Toledo Harbor & Maumee River

Photo By Jess Levenson | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District contractor Ryba Marine Construction Co. pumps out dredged material from a scow in Toledo Harbor and into a confined disposal facility, Toledo, OH, November 4, 2020. "Regular dredging of Maumee Bay is absolutely vital to the functioning of our port and our economy," said U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur. "Once again, I thank the Army Corps of Engineers and their partners in the private and public sector for their efforts to ensure this work gets done. I am especially pleased that open lake disposal of the dredged materials will not be carried out this year, instead moving to a more environmentally sustainable solution. As Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, I've worked hard to curb open lake disposal in Lake Erie by advancing legislation to ban the practice, and providing sufficient funding for dredging at the harbor. Millions depend on Lake Erie for drinking water, commercial shipping, and fishing. I'm glad this project will be carried out with those interests in mind."  

BUFFALO, NY, UNITED STATES

05.18.2022

Story by Avery Schneider 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Buffalo District awarded a $4,565,000 contract to Michigan-based Ryba Marine Construction Company on May 17 to conduct dredging of the federal navigation channel in Toledo Harbor and the Maumee River.

Dredging of harbors like Toledo’s and rivers like the Maumee ensures accessible depths for large vessels, the continued flow of commodities across the Great Lakes, and the economic viability of United States waterways.

“The heavy manufacturing and maritime transportation sectors are at the heart of Northwest Ohio’s economy. As Chair of the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, I am committed to securing every federal dollar our region deserves to support these crucial industries. By maintaining and dredging the harbors that facilitate commerce, we strengthen our supply chains and support the hardworking men and women who make, build, and grow America,” said U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH-9).

“Maintaining the operation of busy ports like Toledo is a core part of our mission and essential to the economic strength of the nation,” said Lt. Col. Eli Adams, commander of the Buffalo District. “We’re proud of our partnerships with the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, the state of Ohio, and our representatives in Congress that have made this contract award possible, and we look forward to dredging this summer.”

Dredging will be focused in the bay channel and is scheduled to take place from early mid-July through mid-December, though the work could be completed sooner.

A total of approximately 800,000 cubic yards of material is contracted to be mechanically dredged from the bed of the harbor and placed in the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority confined disposal facility.

Dredging of Toledo Harbor and the Maumee River is normally conducted by USACE every year, based on availability of funding. Dredging ensures federally authorized depths are maintained, and the harbor remains accessible to large vessels.

Toledo Harbor is a deep draft commercial harbor which handled an average 8,861,080 tons of cargo annually from 2015-2019. Waterborne transportation facilitated by the harbor supports $494 million in business revenue, 2,157 direct, indirect, and induced jobs, and $163.3 million in labor income to the transportation sector.

Operation, maintenance and dredging of harbors like Sandusky by USACE is critical to the economy of Ohio, the Great Lakes region, and the United States.

More photos and video available at: https://flickr.com/photos/buffalousace/albums/72157716854515061


The Buffalo District delivers world class engineering solutions to the Great Lakes region, the Army and the Nation in order to ensure national security, environmental sustainability, water resource management, and emergency assistance during peace and war.

• Date Taken: 05.18.2022
• Date Posted: 05.18.2022 11:32
• Story ID: 420983
• Location: BUFFALO, NY, US