Fairfield's Southport Harbor Set For Major Dredging Project In 2024

FAIRFIELD, CT — Southport Harbor, which was last dredged nearly 20 years ago in 2005, is set for a major dredging project in 2024, according to town officials.

The dredging will remove the sandy sediment that has been building up on the eastern shore of the entrance channel of the harbor, which has become an increasing concern to boat owners, the Fairfield Harbor Management Commission argues.

More than 200 boats — both sail and powered — are docked, moored or stored in the harbor, and commission Chair Kim Taylor said those boaters have made their voices heard.

"We know unfortunately that many of these people have to be concerned about running aground in the harbor where at low tide the channel has narrowed from 100 feet to less than 50 feet and, in some places, only five feet of depth can be found," Taylor said.

According to Bryan LeClerc, the Southport Harbor Master, while the exact cost of the dredging project is not yet known, it estimated to run in excess of $1 million, and the entire cost will be paid with federal funds.

"The dredging is expected to take one month and will be scheduled at a time when vessels are off their moorings for the season," LeClerc told Patch. "In addition, I will be coordinating the staging of the Army Corps dredge, so as to allow commercial access to the harbor during the dredging process."

Currently, the largest vessels allowed to be moored in the harbor are 50 feet, LeClerc said.

"The dredging is needed, as sailboats ranging in size from 20 feet and up have keels from 5 to 8 feet below the waterline," LeClerc said. "These vessels are restricted in their ability to enter the harbor at times of low tide, and occasionally will run aground in shallow portions of the harbor. This is a safety issue for all vessels using the harbor, given the narrowing of the channel."

The goal is to return the harbor to its original 100-foot width and its 9-foot depth.

Plans call for placement of the sandy dredged material to be placed in a designated offshore location where it will improve shellfish habitat.

Additionally, the town had the Connecticut Audubon Society study whether Piping Plovers, a protected species of bird, would be negatively impacted by the dredging, and the society learned that they will not suffer any adverse effects. The birds have not nested in the harbor area in more than a decade.

"While the dredging planning and environmental approval process takes longer than all of us would like, the result will ultimately be a safe, navigable Southport Harbor achieved in an ecologically balanced manner," said First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick in a statement. "That's something all of us will be able to enjoy whether we're on the water or along the shoreline of this exquisite town treasure. I am grateful to all the volunteers and professionals who are working so hard to get dredging started."