Boat Launch Harbor Dredging Readies Harbor For Season

Dredging the area by the Avon Lake boat launch has become an annual event, but without it, boats would not be able to get through the channel into Lake Erie.

On April 10, dredging began, removing sand and sediment from the harbor just west of the fishing pier, where boats access the lake. Dredging is continuing this week. 

The boat launch is located at Miller Road Park. 

Annual dredging began soon after the opened in 1988. The process involves excavating sand and sediment, putting it on a barge and towing it out in Lake Erie to deposit the sand at a different location. The operation is usually carried out partially underwater, in shallow water.

In Avon Lake, the process is  necessary to allow boats to navigate through the channel, but it comes with a price tag. This year, the city allocated $45,250 for N.G.W. Industrial of Sheffield Lake to handle the dredging.  

Joe Reitz said the amount of sand removed has decreased over the years. 

“The quantities (removed) have gotten less since we rebuilt the wall and built the pier/easterly breakwall,” Reitz said. “The area where we still get sand deposits is where the channel opens up inside the harbor. Waves come in from the lake and as soon as the harbor opens up the sand generally drops on the inside corner.” 

It’s a big change from when the launch would be closed due to excessive sand built up.

“I can remember when we would have to close a ramp due to sand then come spring you could walk down the ramp and around the corner towards to where the beach is now,” Reitz said.

This year, minimal amount of dredging was required—good news for the city, which is billed on the amount of sand removed. Reitz expected the amount of sand and sediment would not exceed 5,000 cubic yards.

“This spring we had over 4 feet of water depth everywhere within the harbor,” Reitz said. "There are years we could possibly get away with not dredging but we would take the risk of closing the ramp early in the fall due to the sand.” 

Dredging has to be completed before April 15. Ohio Department of Natural Resource regulations prohibit dredging between April 15 and June 15 when fish are spawning.  

Visitors to the pier, including Avon Lake resident Judy Kean, took advantage of a warm spring Sunday to stop and watch the dredger. Kean, who snapped the photos accompanying this story, said the photos were taken in early evening.

"People were on the beach and out on the pier watching the dredging going on, Kean said. "It was fun to watch the crane. I was surprised they were working on Sunday."