The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Buffalo District began fall dredging operations in Cleveland Harbor, Ohio, on Oct. 22, 2026, launching the second phase of a maintenance project designed to maintain safe navigation for commercial vessels and recreational boaters on Lake Erie.
The $11.7 million contract was awarded to DMYLES Inc., a New York-based contractor, in April 2026. According to the Buffalo District, the fall work will address areas of significant sediment buildup in the upper Cuyahoga River, helping maintain access for commercial shipping and local industries.
Work is scheduled to continue into December 2026.
Removing Sediment From Navigation Channel
The 2026 dredging program is expected to remove approximately 260,000 cu. yds. of sediment from the federal navigation channel in the upper Cuyahoga River. The fall operation follows spring dredging and will bring the year's total to that amount, according to USACE.
The work is part of the Corps' recurring harbor maintenance program, which takes place twice annually based on navigation needs and available funding. In 2025, contractors removed 255,651 cu. yds. of sediment from Cleveland Harbor.
Sediment accumulates naturally in waterways as sand, silt and other material move downstream. Over time, that buildup can reduce channel depths and restrict vessel access, making periodic dredging necessary to maintain authorized navigation depths.
Cleveland Harbor's authorized depths range from 18 to 29 ft., with the shallowest areas in the Cuyahoga River turning basin and the deepest in the entrance channel.
Maintaining those depths helps accommodate large commercial vessels and supports the efficient movement of commodities through the harbor.
Dredge Material
The 2026 program also includes plans for managing the material removed during dredging.
According to the Buffalo District, approximately 110,000 cu. yds. of sediment will be beneficially used through recycling at the Port of Cleveland's sediment processing management facility. The remaining 150,000 cu. yds. will be placed in the port's confined disposal facility 12.
The approach combines material processing and controlled disposal to manage the large volume of sediment generated by the maintenance work.
Dredging operations require coordination among the contractor, harbor operators and other users of the waterway. USACE said the work is being coordinated to minimize disruptions where possible and is not expected to impede navigation. Recreational boaters are encouraged to exercise caution near active dredging equipment and maintain a safe distance from work areas.
Supporting Commercial Shipping
Cleveland Harbor is a deep-draft commercial port that serves as a transportation link for bulk commodities moving through the Great Lakes.
According to the Buffalo District, the harbor handled 13.8 million tons of cargo in 2023. Iron ore accounted for 64 percent of the total, followed by limestone at 16 percent and salt at 9 percent.
Waterborne transportation through the harbor supports approximately $646.1 million in business revenue, 2,329 direct, indirect and induced jobs and $142.6 million in labor income in the transportation sector.
The Corps estimates that Cleveland Harbor contributes nearly $789 million annually in regional business revenue and labor income.
“Maintaining the operation of ports like Cleveland is a core part of our mission and essential to nearly $789 million in annual economic impact,” said Lt. Col. Aaron Anderson, commander of the Buffalo District. “Our work here does more than just clear a navigation channel — it sustains people's livelihoods, supports their communities, and powers the regional and national economy.”
The annual dredging program is part of USACE's broader responsibility for maintaining federal navigation channels throughout the Great Lakes region. By removing accumulated sediment and preserving channel depths, the work helps keep Cleveland Harbor accessible to commercial vessels and supports the movement of goods through one of the region's key maritime transportation routes.
