Local News
Dredging work ready to start
Published on Thu, Feb 1, 2007Read More News
The US Army Corps of Engineers is preparing to conduct dredging along Puget Island that will address erosion issues that have been affecting Island shorelines.
A pipeline dredge operated by the Port of Portland, the dredging contractor, is scheduled to arrive Friday to begin work as part of the Columbia River Channel Deepening Project.
The contractor will dispose of sand in scour holes created by eddies forming below pile dikes at the mouth of Welcome Slough. All spoils will be disposed in the water, not on shorelines.
Wahkiakum County officials, who have been working on the project for several years, said this week they were pleased with the plan. Their engineers tell them that a cap of sand in the scour holes will slow the erosion and allow planning and permitting of further work on the shorelines. Erosion at Pancake Point is moving toward houses, while erosion along North Welcome Slough Road is eating into the toe of the dike.
The dredge will work in the area eight to 14 days, according to Corps spokesperson Laura Hicks. Work will occur 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Besides noise from the equipment, dredge crews will use spotlights at night to observe what happens along the shoreline.
"We hope people will be understanding of the noise and lights," Hicks said.
If people have concerns, they may contact county Public Works Director Pete Ringen who will act as a liason with the Corps.
Hicks added that similar dredging will occur next summer at Pancake Point on East Sunny Sands.
A pipeline dredge operated by the Port of Portland, the dredging contractor, is scheduled to arrive Friday to begin work as part of the Columbia River Channel Deepening Project.
The contractor will dispose of sand in scour holes created by eddies forming below pile dikes at the mouth of Welcome Slough. All spoils will be disposed in the water, not on shorelines.
Wahkiakum County officials, who have been working on the project for several years, said this week they were pleased with the plan. Their engineers tell them that a cap of sand in the scour holes will slow the erosion and allow planning and permitting of further work on the shorelines. Erosion at Pancake Point is moving toward houses, while erosion along North Welcome Slough Road is eating into the toe of the dike.
The dredge will work in the area eight to 14 days, according to Corps spokesperson Laura Hicks. Work will occur 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Besides noise from the equipment, dredge crews will use spotlights at night to observe what happens along the shoreline.
"We hope people will be understanding of the noise and lights," Hicks said.
If people have concerns, they may contact county Public Works Director Pete Ringen who will act as a liason with the Corps.
Hicks added that similar dredging will occur next summer at Pancake Point on East Sunny Sands.
