Cleveland Harbor Fall Dredging Completed in Just Over Two Weeks; Completes $11.7M Annual Operation

Official Statements

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, November 12: “The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, completed fall dredging of Cleveland Harbor in just over two weeks, ensuring safe and navigable waterways for Great Lakes commercial vessels, recreational boaters and other harbor users on Lake Erie.”

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, November 12: “The work was completed 43% sooner than planned - in similar fashion to the efficient dredging completed earlier this year in Conneaut and Lorain - and brings this year’s $11.7 million dredging operation in Cleveland to a close. Dredged sediment from Cleveland Harbor is being recycled, beneficially used and stored using Port of Cleveland facilities.”

  • ![]()60,000 cubic yards of sediment dredged in Cleveland in just 17 days.
  • Fall dredging started Oct. 26 to maintain safe navigation for commercial ships and recreational boats.
  • Cleveland Harbor supports nearly $789M in annual economic impact.
  • Photos & B-roll available https://www.flickr.com/photos/buffalousace/albums/72157626661377800/.

  “Completing this fall’s dredging of 60,000 cubic yards in Cleveland Harbor in just 17 days is another mark of efficiency, good stewardship of American taxpayer dollars, and the dedication to mission the Corps of Engineers is known for,” said Lt. Col. Aaron Anderson, commander of the Buffalo District. “With this work complete, we’re able to turn our focus to more dredging across Ohio and Lake Erie to keep ports thriving, waterways safe, and the U.S. economy strong.”

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, November 12: “Fall dredging started Oct. 26 and was completed Nov. 11 as part of an $11.7 million contract awarded in April 2026 to New York-based DMYLES, Inc. for all 2026 dredging in Cleveland. Fall dredging removed approximately 60,000 cubic yards of sediment from the federal navigation channel in the upper Cuyahoga River, including 10,000 cubic yards added to the contract to address critical areas of shoaling and support local industry needs.”

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, November 12: “Of the approximately 260,000 cubic yards of sediment dredged from Cleveland Harbor in 2026, 110,000 cubic yards were beneficially used through recycling at the Port of Cleveland’s sediment processing management facility, and 150,000 cubic yards were placed in the port’s confined disposal facility 12. Dredging of Cleveland Harbor is conducted twice annually by USACE, based on need and the availability of funding. The harbor was last dredged in 2025, with 255,651 cubic yards of sediments removed.”

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, November 12: “Cleveland Harbor is a deep draft commercial harbor which handled 13.8 million tons of cargo, including iron ore (64%), limestone (16%) and salt (9%) in 2023. Waterborne transportation facilitated by the harbor supports $646.1 million in business revenue, 2,329 direct, indirect, and induced jobs, and $142.6 million in labor income to the transportation sector.”

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, November 12: “Authorized depths within Cleveland Harbor range from 18 to 29 feet, with the shallowest depths in the Cuyahoga River turning basin and the deepest depths in the entrance channel. The Corps of Engineers maintains these depths to support safe and efficient navigation for large vessels. Operation, maintenance and dredging of harbors like Cleveland by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is critical to the economy of Ohio, the Great Lakes region, and the United States. Photos & B-roll of dredging in Cleveland Harbor are available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/buffalousace/albums/72157626661377800/”

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, November 12: “The Buffalo District delivers world-class engineering solutions to the Great Lakes Region, the Army and the Nation to ensure national security, environmental sustainability, water resource management, and emergency assistance during peace and war. Learn more at http://www.lrd.usace.army.mil/buffalo.”