In a collaborative effort this fall, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Detroit District, the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), and the U.S. Navy removed over 25,000 cubic yards of material from Little Lake Harbor in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The operation, which focused on both dredging and experimental training, marked a unique partnership to address the harbor’s severe shoaling issues.

Little Lake Harbor, a critical harbor of refuge, requires annual maintenance dredging to remain operational. Following emergency dredging in 2023, this year’s effort aimed to improve both the harbor’s functionality and the Navy’s proficiency in dredging techniques. The project utilized equipment operated by the St. Marys River Section, including a floating plant and a tug, while training members of the U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 (Seabees) in using the specialized dredging and construction equipment.

“The training provided by the Corps has been invaluable,” said Chief Petty Officer Daniel Sullivan. “This collaboration has helped the Seabees gain the skills needed for waterfront construction and future port damage repairs, which are becoming increasingly important for naval operations.”

ERDC introduced innovative technology to make the project cost-effective, such as a rotating pump system designed to replace traditional dredging buckets. This allowed the smaller-scale dredging to be completed without the need for expensive large-scale contractors. According to ERDC Research Physicist Thad Pratt, “This approach provides a practical and economical solution for dredging smaller harbors like Little Lake Harbor.”

Looking forward, the Detroit District plans to use cutting-edge data collection systems to improve harbor design. Coastal engineers will deploy an Integrated Radar Monitoring System (IRaMS) to track wave interactions and assess the impact of storms on the harbor’s federal structures. These insights will inform future designs to better mitigate shoaling.

This partnership exemplifies the Detroit District’s mission to maintain navigation systems, support national defense, and foster economic growth while protecting the environment. With Little Lake Harbor serving as a model, the collaboration may shape future dredging and waterfront initiatives across the Great Lakes region.