Port Of Vinton Announces Completion Of  Navigation Channel Dredging Project

The Port of Vinton, located near the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) in the southwest Louisiana city of Sulphur, announced October 23 the completion of a project to dredge the port’s navigation channel. Mandeville, La.-based Magnolia Dredging was the contractor for the project, which totaled close to $1.1 million and removed more than 21,400 cubic yards of material over a 6-month period.

The project dredged about 2,000 linear feet at the southernmost portion of the Vinton Navigation Channel to a depth of 10.5 feet, with the dredge material used beneficially to create new marsh on private property nearby.

“It has been more than seven years since any maintenance dredge work has been performed on the channel,” said Jerry Merchant, president of the board of commissioners of the Port of Vinton.

Over that time, Merchant said, shoaling had occurred at the mouth of the navigation channel, posing a challenge to navigation. Prior to being dredged, the channel at its shallowest point was just 6.5 feet. The project also widened the approach from the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway into the channel.

Merchant offered thanks to the landowner who partnered with the port to receive the dredge material.

“We are especially appreciative for the cooperation of the Stream Land Company for partnering with the port in making their property available to receive the dredge spoils,” Merchant said.

Merchant also thanked Calcasieu Parish government, in particular the Gravity Drainage District No. 2, for financial support to make the project possible.

“Our expansion project would not have been possible without a parish $200,000 Economic Development Riverboat Gaming Fund grant and a parish $500,000 Road and Drainage Trust Fund grant, awarded specifically through the drainage district for the dredging project,” Merchant said. “Virtually all of the runoff in the area’s watershed is directed toward the channel as it ends up draining into the GIWW.”