The project, scheduled to begin in September and continue through December, will cover the full length of the Maumee River federal navigation channel, from the turning basin upstream to the mouth of the river at Maumee Bay. 

The dredging is part of a two-year, $11.1 million contract designed to maintain navigable depths for commercial vessels and ensure the continued movement of commodities through Toledo Harbor and the Great Lakes. 

“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. “As the largest single dredging operation on the Great Lakes, our work here does more than just clear a navigation channel – it sustains people’s livelihoods, supports their communities, and powers the regional and national economy.” 

Approximately 750,000 cubic yards of dredged material will be placed in confined disposal facilities operated by USACE and the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. 

Toledo Harbor is one of the Great Lakes’ major commercial ports, handling approximately 11 million tons of cargo annually. In 2023, the harbor’s cargo included iron ore, which accounted for 53% of total tonnage, coal and lignite at 22%, and petroleum coke at 3%. 

The current dredging project is being carried out under a $5.3 million task order issued August 6, representing the first year of the two-year contract. A second task order, valued at $5.8 million, is expected to be issued in 2027. 

The Corps schedules dredging at Toledo Harbor annually based on navigation needs and the availability of federal funding. 

Feature photo courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Buffalo District