The maintenance dredge of the Northeast Hurricane Bay Channel included Kelly Brothers’ (KBI) dredging one mile of the channel to -5 feet Mean Low Water. The scope of work included the removal and disposal of 7,950 cubic yards of spoils from within the dredge limits along with the implementation of environmental protection measures. Dredging was conducted via mechanical means utilizing three small barges; one of which was set up as a “dredge” barge with a long reach excavator aboard. This barge was used to load two “hopper” barges each outfitted with three 20 cubic yard sediment hoppers for transporting the spoils to Kelly Brothers’ beach yard, which was utilized as an upland staging area for material and equipment. The hopper barges were pushed at alternating intervals from the dredge location to KBI’s Beach Yard and back thus allowing for continual dredge operations. At KBI’s beach yard the dredge spoils were offloaded, stockpiled to dry, and then transported to an approved material disposal site. Precautions were taken during the dredge operation to protect the environment, marine life, and boaters, which had twenty-four-hour access through the navigable channel. These precautions included the installation of turbidity curtains, turbidity monitoring, and observation of wildlife and boat traffic while dredging was under way.
Owner:
Lee County
Engineer:
Coastal Engineering Consultants, Inc.
28421 Bonita Crossings Blvd
Bonita Springs, Florida 34135
Contract:
Prime
Date Completed:
March 2021