Harbor Dredging Project
Newburyport Harbor Maintenance Dredging Project (USACE/Federal)
Project Background & Scope of Work
H&L Contracting, LLC of Long Island, NY is performing Maintenance Dredging of the Newburyport Harbor under contract to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The project will consist of hydraulically dredging approximately 226,000 cubic yards of material from the 9-ft MLLW inner channel and 15-ft MLLW entrance channel. Dredging operations began October 2, 2022 and were originally scheduled to be completed by March 31, 2023. H&L Contracting received an extension through April 30, 2023 and engaged a subcontractor, Norfolk Dredging Company, to finish the project. Dredge material (sand) will be placed along the Plum Island Beach as illustrated schematically in the above graphic.
Project Purposes & Public Benefits
This dredging project has two primary near-term benefits:
- Maintenance of required depths for the federally designated navigation channel into the Merrimack River and Newburyport Harbor.
- Placement of sand from the dredging onto the Plum Island Beach just north of the South Jetty in Newburyport, reestablishing and protecting public beach, public infrastructure and private homes inland of the current gyre and erosion hot spot just north of the Jetty, which has been largely attributed to the relatively recent South Jetty reconstruction undertaken by the USACE several years ago.
Additional Project Details, Channel Access & Navigation Updates
There will be two dredges on site, the 20” dredge OYSTER BAY and the 16” dredge FINN. An additional dredge was brought in by Norfolk Dredging on Thursday, March 23rd. There will also be a booster pump barge inside the harbor alongside the channel. There will also be support vessels working within the harbor. Dredge pipe will run from the dredge(s) to the area designated for placement of the dredged material on Plum Island. This dredge pipe will be submerged for channel crossing and marked and lighted in accordance with USCG regulations when not submerged. The channel will be open at all times but restricted; mariners are requested to contact the dredge via VHF Channel 16 to coordinate passage.
A Local Notice to Mariners has been published by the USCG. All mariners are requested to steer clear of dredging equipment to the safest extent possible and to proceed at the minimum speed necessary to make way.
Contractor Staging in Plum Island Point Parking Lot
The western portion of the Plum Island Point Parking lot will be used as a staging area, as illustrated schematically in the above graphic.
Beach & Beach Access Closures During Construction
The work areas, access ways from the parking lot to the beach, and placement area at Plum Island Beach will be closed to the public for the duration of the work. There is no public beach access of any kind while this project is underway. Informational sings will be placed to inform the public of the work in progress and beach closure. Please be aware that the beach placement area will be an active construction site with large equipment moving throughout the area. It is imperative that unauthorized persons do not enter this area.
Please note that this important and timely Federal project is a 24/7 operation and there will be contractor equipment, lights, noise and potentially hazardous conditions along the impacted beaches that the general public should avoid.
Maps & Plans for Dredging Areas & Contractor Work
For Additional Information
Plum Island Point Live Cam (newburyport.com)
City officials will update this webpage periodically with new or relevant information regarding this Federal project.
Any questions or requests for information regarding the work should be directed to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District.