Toledo Harbor Dredging Begins, Supports $1B-Plus Economic Impact

TOLEDO, Ohio — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, has begun dredging Toledo Harbor, the largest annual dredging operation on the Great Lakes.

The work is part of a two-year, $11.1 million contract with Michigan-based Ryba Marine Construction Company. and will focus on portions of the Maumee River and lake channel. Approximately 750,000 cubic yards of material will be removed and placed in confined disposal facilities operated by the Corps and the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority.

The dredging is intended to maintain navigable depths for Great Lakes vessels and support the continued movement of cargo through Toledo Harbor.

Toledo Harbor handles about 11 million tons of cargo annually and supports 2,822 jobs. The harbor contributes more than $1 billion in annual economic impact through cargo activity, jobs, business revenue and labor income in the transportation sector.

“Maintaining the operation of ports like Toledo is a core part of our mission and essential to more than $1 billion in annual economic impact,” said Lt. Col. Aaron Anderson, commander of the Buffalo District.

Dredging of Toledo Harbor is conducted annually based on navigation needs and available funding. The current work is scheduled to continue through December.

Featured photo caption: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers crews conduct dredging operations in Toledo Harbor, Ohio. The annual project will remove approximately 750,000 cubic yards of material to maintain navigable depths for Great Lakes vessels. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army Corps)