With USACE’s Largest Investment, Great Sodus Bay Breakwater Repair Pending Proposals > Great Lakes-Ohio River Division > Press Releases

A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District work package for repairs to the Great Sodus Bay East Breakwater is officially released for proposals.

$20 million is already allocated for the 100 percent federally funded project, which is the largest investment ever made in Great Sodus Bay by the Corps of Engineers.

US Senator Charles Schumer said, “I was proud to provide the $20 million needed to repair the aging Great Sodus Bay breakwater last year to get the repairs underway and now we can finally say, ‘Ready, set, start building! The Great Sodus Bay East Breakwater is critical to protecting this Lake Ontario community from severe flooding, but it has been in a state of disrepair for years, threatening residents’ safety and livelihoods. Today, we are turning a corner and are ready to move full steam ahead to embark on these much-needed improvements.

“The Village of Sodus Point appreciates the persistence of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District in requesting funds to repair the East Breakwater over the past several years. We also appreciate their prompt attention to the project once funds became available. Senator Schumer and his team worked hard to secure money on our behalf. Thank you, Senator Schumer. The East Breakwater not only protects several businesses and residents in the village, but it also protects the integrity of Great Sodus Bay itself,” said Village of Sodus Point Mayor Dave McDowell.

“The Corps of Engineers’ civil works mission is a key part of the nation’s public infrastructure, ensuring safe navigation and bringing economic and quality of life improvements to communities like Sodus Point,” said Joshua Feldmann, Chief of USACE Buffalo District Operations and Regulations. Division. “We are delighted to make this substantial investment in the community and its future.

The history of the Great Sodus Bay Corps of Engineers dates back to a survey in 1828 when breakwaters and jetties were proposed. The original wooden structures were built from 1829 to 1834 and rebuilt with concrete between 1909 and 1930. In the 90 years following reconstruction, deterioration due to wave action, ice and storms on Lake Ontario left the bay’s eastern breakwater in danger of rupture. .

The USACE project will repair the entire length of the breakwater, 1,653 feet long, over two construction seasons. Building on the original wood box and concrete structure, construction will return the breakwater to its original height of seven feet above the lowest water level.

The work package was submitted for proposals on May 3. Contract award is scheduled for June/July. Construction is expected to begin in August and be completed by fall 2025.

The work package is open to a group of seven qualified marine contractors under a multiple award task order contract. With a significant influx of marine work across the Great Lakes, MATOC gives the Corps of Engineers the ability to quickly solicit and award marine construction projects. The pool of potential entrepreneurs for this project includes large corporations, as well as veteran-owned, veteran-disabled, disadvantaged, and HubZone-certified small businesses.

The Great Sodus Bay breakwaters provide safe navigation and erosion protection along the New York State coastline. With more than six marinas and 1,000 docks available for rental, port-facilitated recreational activities support $24.7 million in economic output, 148 jobs and $8.9 million in labor income for the country.

Photos and videos of the Great Sodus Bay breakwater and eastern jetties are available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/buffalousace/albums/72177720316625725.

The Buffalo District provides world-class engineering solutions to the Great Lakes region, the military and the nation to ensure national security, environmental sustainability, water resources management and relief emergency in times of peace and war.