Dredging of new Buffalo Harbor channel planned for July | News

NEW BUFFALO — With lower water levels and an extremely mild winter, seasonal sand accumulation has clogged the New Buffalo Harbor Federal Channel, particularly the outer harbor.

Although dredging is absolutely necessary for the canal, city officials said at a special meeting May 6 that it would be delayed this year due to a lack of available contractors.

Dredging cannot take place between May 15 and July 1 because it is the spawning season for salmon that live in Lake Michigan. According to New Buffalo Mayor John Humphrey, “We did everything we could to finish the dredging in early May, but we could not find a contractor to do the work. »

He added: “We were even prepared to pay an ‘over estimate’ to get this done, but no one was available. »

Boaters can expect to see a narrow channel for the first six weeks of the summer season. The dredging will be done in July and the city awarded the $178,000 contract to King Company of Holland, Mich., at the May 6 meeting.

Also discussed was the repair of the Pine Grove Cemetery fence and the replacement of sidewalks around the municipal marina.

In April 2024, information was provided that the fence at Pine Grove Cemetery needed to be repaired. A quote for preparation and painting was received from EI Construction in the amount of $31,000. It was recommended at the cemetery board’s special meeting (April 22, 2024) that the cost be shared (50/50) between the city and the township.

The board approved payment for repairs to the Pine Grove Cemetery fence in the amount of $15,500.

Currently, the city is in the process of upgrading the marina facilities, which includes removing the sidewalk around the old pads. The plan is to upgrade the remaining portions of the sidewalk around the marina.

A quote was received from Pajay, Inc. to replace the remaining sidewalk in the amount of $14,950 and approval for the project was given on May 6. Funding for the project is available in the 2023-2024 parks budget.