Navy Trains on Harbor Dredging in Partnership with US Army Corps of Engineers
The quiet waters of Little Lake Harbor in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula were the backdrop for a unique operation this fall: a joint training exercise between the U.S. Navy’s Seabees and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The project highlighted not only the collaborative spirit between branches of the Armed Forces, but also demonstrated a cost-effective approach to dredging smaller harbors.
Little Lake Harbor serves as a strategically important harbor of refuge, providing a safe haven for vessels seeking shelter from storms on Lake Superior. Maintaining this safety net requires constant maintenance dredging, removing the buildup of sediment, known as shoaling, that can obstruct navigation. This year, Little Lake Harbor faced more than just routine maintenance dredging.
“The harbor had severe shoaling and emergency dredging was completed in 2023. This year presented an opportunity to go further and partner with the Navy on a training mission,” explained Soo Project Office, St. Marys River Section Chief Justin Proulx.
This opportunity became a multi-faceted operation.
“We were working with the Navy on experimental dredging, they no longer had the knowledge set or the equipment,” said ERDC Research Physicist Thad Pratt. “We had a big need to train the Seabees and provide a new cost-effective way to dredge the smaller harbors within the Corps. This project brought the two together.”
The St. Marys River Section coordinated equipment rentals, staged and operated equipment, including their in-house floating plant and tug, and trained the Navy on the dredging and construction equipment. “The Detroit District had most of the equipment needed to dredge the harbor," saidaito Pratt. "We researched and designed a six-inch pump with a rotating head in place of the bucket on their Crane Barge Harvey to complete most of the dredging.
“ The Detroit and ERDC folks have been really nice to work with, they have been taking the time to train the Seabees to be more proficient at some of this equipment," said U.S. Naval Mobil Construction Battalion 4 Chief Petty Officer Daniel Sullivan. “So, at the end of the day, it’s been great. It’s been win-win for all of us.”
Sullivan went on to express how valuable this experience is for the Navy.
“Since the end of World War II, the Naval Construction Force has been focusing on mostly contingency construction supporting the Marine Expeditionary Force. We are really good at doing horizontal and vertical construction, but looking ahead, the fleet needs waterfront support or port damage repairs in potential future operations to come," said Sullivan. "We are looking at waterfront construction as a very high priority and all this experimental training that we are doing or opportunities like working with ERDC on dredging is going to help speed along the capabilities that our higher headquarters needs from us.”
The successful diminishing of Little Lake Harbor shows the benefits of collaboration. For the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this project was not simply about dredging a harbor, but also about research and future improvements.
Physicists with the Detroit District will set up a state-of-the-art Integrated Radar Monitoring System (IRaMS) at Little Lake Harbor. “The system will be made up of a X-band radar and a solar-powered computer system connected to a cellular network that allows for remote data collection. We will track how waves interact with the harbor structures," said
Coastal Engineer Jesse McNinch. "The data will inform us how waves interact with harbor structures during storms and will be used to validate numerical wave model simulations. This
What are the cost-saving measures used in the dredging project?
## Interview: Navy Trains Alongside Corps of Engineers for Harbor Dredging
**Host:** Today we’re joined by Thad Pratt, Research Physicist at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Engineer Research and Development Center, to discuss a unique partnership that took place this fall. Thad, welcome to the show!
**Thad Pratt:** Thanks for having me.
**Host:** Let’s dive right in. Tell us about this joint training exercise involving the Navy Seabees and the Army Corps of Engineers.
**Thad Pratt:** This fall, at Little Lake Harbor in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, we had the opportunity to collaborate with the Navy Seabees on a dredging project. This harbor is crucial, acting as a safe haven for vessels on Lake Superior. Due to severe shoaling—the buildup of sediment—emergency dredging was needed in 2023. This year’s project was not just about routine maintenance, it was a chance to train the Seabees on dredging techniques, utilizing a cost-effective approach that could be applied to smaller harbors. [[1](https://www.army.mil/article/281707/little_lake_harbor_dredged_corps_of_engineers_and_u_s_navy_effort)]
**Host:** The Army Corps of Engineers has a wealth of experience in dredging. What did the Navy bring to the table?
**Thad Pratt:** The Navy Seabees are incredibly skilled construction personnel.
While they had historically handled dredging, their expertise had dwindled over time. This project provided valuable hands-on training for them, reintroducing dredging skills and knowledge.
**Host:** Can you elaborate on the “cost-effective approach” to dredging?
**Thad Pratt:** Absolutely. We utilized equipment already in the possession of the Detroit District, like the Crane Barge Harvey. Through research and design efforts, we adapted this barge by replacing its bucket with a six-inch pump equipped with a rotating head. This modification allowed for greater efficiency in dredging the harbor.
**Host:** This collaboration sounds like a win-win situation. What are some key takeaways from this project?
**Thad Pratt:** I agree. This project highlighted the benefits of inter-service cooperation. It demonstrated our ability to effectively share knowledge, resources, and expertise, ultimately leading to a more efficient and cost-effective solution for maintaining critical harbors like Little Lake Harbor.
**Host:** Thank you, Thad, for shedding light on this fascinating partnership. It’s a great example of how military branches can work together to achieve common goals.
**Thad Pratt:** My pleasure.
