The Army Corps’ contactor, Manson Construction, in coordination with the County of Ventura, is performing maintenance dredging near the entrance of Channel Islands Harbor.
Dredging began in late September and is expected to be completed at the end of January. The dredging is taking place in various locations in and around the harbor entrance and sand trap area.
This year, the contractor is planning to shut down the dredge during the following holiday breaks: Thanksgiving from Nov. 23-27 and Christmas/New Years from Dec. 23 to Jan. 1, said USACE.
During that time, a portable generator will be used to maintain continuous power to critical systems, and a small crew will remain on staff to monitor the equipment.
The Corps estimates dredging about 2 to 2.5 million cubic yards of sand during the project. Material dredged from the entrance of the harbor is pumped across the harbor entrance, down Silver Strand Beach and deposited a mile away, just to the south of the Port of Hueneme. Placement of beach-quality material on the beach provides shoreline protection and is a benefit of the project.
Every two years, USACE dredges the sand trap and channels near the entrance of Channel Islands Harbor. Dredging of the area has been conducted regularly since 1960.