The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, has awarded a $1.5 million contract to conduct dredging in the federal navigation channel and harbor areas of Oswego Harbor during spring and early summer 2019.
The contract was awarded to Ryba Marine Construction Company, based in Cheboygan, Michigan on March 21, 2019.
According to the Corps, the contractor is anticipated to begin work in June 2019 with dredging to be performed throughout the federal navigation channel.
“ This contract award for Oswego Harbor will continue safe navigation for commercial and recreational vessels while opening the doors to greater commercial traffic ,” said Lt. Col. Jason Toth, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District commander . “ We are grateful for the advocacy of Senator Gillibrand, Senator Schumer, and Representative Katko, as well as other state and local partners, who have worked hard to secure funding for the effort .”
This contract award will allow federal dredging to occur for the first time since the 2016 dredging was completed, when a total of 171,000 cubic yards of sediment material was removed to allow for safer passage for commercial and recreational traffic.
The frequency of dredging in Oswego Harbor is subject to the availability of funds and when sufficient funding is in place. USACE schedules dredging every 3-4 years at the Oswego Harbor in order to maintain federally authorized depths, which include 21-24 feet in the Oswego River channel, 25 feet in the outer harbor, and 27 feet in the lake approach channel.
Oswego Harbor is a deep draft commercial harbor interconnected with 7 commercial ports, supporting more than 250,000 tons annually.
It is home to 536 recreational slips, 6 boat launches, and 29 charter boats. It generates $19 million in economic benefits and supports a total of 209 direct, indirect, and induced jobs.