Hydraulic Dredging

Your Trusted Partner for Hydraulic Dredging in Michigan & the Great Lakes Region

When you need advanced hydraulic dredging solutions, Contractors Marine is here to serve you across Michigan and the surrounding Great Lakes states, including Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. We ensure efficient and environmentally responsible sediment removal, helping you maintain critical waterways, enhance your property’s value, and support your vital infrastructure projects throughout the region.

Your Project, Our State-of-the-Art Hydraulic Dredging Capabilities

We deploy a powerful 10″ x 8″ cutter suction dredge, meticulously refurbished in 2014, making it perfectly suited for your small- to medium-sized projects. This robust machine offers a 65′ single-pass channel width and can reach depths down to 28′. Our commitment to operational excellence means we back our equipment with extensive maintenance programs and daily engineer inspections, ensuring minimal downtime and reliable project completion for you.

For effective material discharge, we maintain a vast inventory of 7,200′ of 10″ High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) plastic pipe and 2,000′ of steel pipe, complemented by booster pumps when needed. Our dredge is road transportable, allowing for rapid mobilization to your project site anywhere in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, or Minnesota, getting to work quickly for you.

Why You Should Choose Hydraulic Dredging for Your Great Lakes Project

Hydraulic dredging is an ideal method for many applications in our region, offering you precise and often less disruptive sediment removal. It’s particularly effective for:

Marinas and Harbors: Maintaining navigable depths in popular boating and commercial hubs across the Great Lakes, including federal harbors in Michigan (e.g., Holland, Grand Haven, and St. Joseph) and port facilities in Ohio, for your convenience.
Residential Canals and Waterways: Restoring access and depth for your private properties on Michigan’s numerous lakes and connecting channels in Indiana and Wisconsin.
Environmental Restoration: Removing contaminated sediments, controlling harmful algae blooms (as seen in Ohio’s efforts), and enhancing water quality in sensitive ecosystems, benefiting your local environment.
Industrial and Commercial Facilities: Ensuring operational efficiency for your waterfront businesses in Illinois and Minnesota requiring deep water access.
Beach Nourishment and Shoreline Restoration: Utilizing dredged sand to replenish your eroded shorelines, especially along Lake Michigan and Lake Erie, protecting your assets.

Navigating Regional Dredging Regulations – We Handle All Your Permits!

Understanding the diverse regulatory landscape across the Great Lakes states is crucial for your successful dredging projects. At Contractors Marine, we take the burden off your shoulders by handling all necessary federal and state permitting and regulatory compliance for you. Our team possesses in-depth knowledge of the requirements, ensuring your project adheres to all environmental standards from start to finish.

Michigan: Your projects often require permits from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Recent focus includes PFAS testing requirements and specific regulations for inland lakes and streams.
Ohio: The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and Ohio EPA regulate dredging, with a strong emphasis on beneficial reuse of dredged material and prohibitions on open-lake disposal in Lake Erie.
Indiana: The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) oversee water quality certification and permits for altering wetlands, lakes, and streams.
Illinois: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR/OWR) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulate dredging activities, with specific conditions for minor maintenance dredging and disposal.
Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issues permits, with requirements for equipment disinfection to prevent invasive species and limitations on dredging volume for general permits.
Minnesota: The Minnesota DNR issues Public Waters Work Permits, with regulations concerning navigation, habitat protection, and sediment removal.

We proactively manage the complexities of permitting and compliance for you, working closely with agencies like the USACE (Detroit, Buffalo, and Chicago districts for the Great Lakes region), state DNRs, and DEQs/EPAs to streamline your project’s approval process and ensure a smooth, compliant operation.

Your Trusted Partner in the Great Lakes

Contractors Marine is dedicated to delivering customized dredging solutions that meet your specific needs and budget. Our experience and regional focus ensure your project is completed correctly, on time, and in full compliance with all regulations, including the crucial task of permit acquisition.

Contact us today for a site evaluation and to discuss your hydraulic dredging project in Michigan or the surrounding Great Lakes states! Let us handle the permits so you can focus on your goals.