Dredged Material
Buffalo Harbor splits its 2026 dredging between disposal and a future wetland
Buffalo Harbor's 2026 maintenance package will mechanically remove approximately 190,000 cubic yards from deep-draft federal channels. The planned routing sends about 110,000 cubic yards to CDF #4 and about 80,000 cubic yards to Shipping Slip 3, whose containment breakwater was completed in 2024. Slip 3 placement is the second phase of a 285,000-cubic-yard programme expected to continue through 2028; habitat formation follows after the required fill level is reached.
Published scope and current milestone
The 17 July USACE release identifies the 2026 award, contractor, quantities, material routes and planned dates, but does not report field production. The October 2025 harbor fact sheet gives channel lengths, depths and maintenance history. The 2023 wetland release defines the three-phase works, 6.7-acre target and approximately 285,000-cubic-yard fill requirement. ECHDC's current page confirms the 2024 breakwater completion and placement programme through 2028. The photograph shows Buffalo Harbor dredging by Ryba in September 2020 and is historical operational context, not evidence of 2026 mobilisation.
Dredging quantity and delivery implications
This is both navigation maintenance and beneficial use, but the two outputs are not interchangeable. The harbor serves channels authorized from 22 to 30 feet and closes on excavation quantities and hydrographic condition. Slip 3 closes first on accepted material and fill elevation, then on native vegetation, habitat structures and ecological performance. The 2026 campaign can advance both programmes without completing the wetland.
Evidence conclusion
Survey, placement and acceptance evidence
The USD 2.3 million award fixes contractor, planned quantity and destinations, while the 17 July notice remains prospective. The announced 1-25 August Slip 3 window should yield destination receipts and a revised fill elevation; the wider wetland page still shows placement continuing through 2028. Confirmation of the route split matters because CDF #4 and Slip 3 have different acceptance purposes, and only post-dredge surveys can establish whether the navigation reaches were restored to their maintained depths.
Outstanding evidence
- Confirmed mobilisation from the planned 18 July start
- Daily and final measured dredging quantities by reach
- Actual receipt totals at CDF #4 and Slip 3
- Sediment testing and placement approvals
- Post-dredge survey against authorized depths of 22 to 30 feet
- Slip 3 fill elevation and cumulative progress toward 285,000 cubic yards
- Native planting, habitat-feature installation and later ecological monitoring
Subject index
Related subjects
These subject pages bring together related projects, technical articles, reports, and evidence methods.
Sources used 5
- Buffalo Harbor dredging starting and supporting a future Great Lakes wetland U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, 17 July 2026
- First phase of construction on the Buffalo Outer Harbor wetland U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, 20 December 2023
- Buffalo Harbor confined disposal facility #4 fact sheet U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, 26 July 2023
- Buffalo Harbor project requirements fact sheet U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, Current fact sheet reviewed 17 July 2026
- Outer Harbor construction and future development projects: Slip 3 ecological restoration Empire State Development / Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation, Current project page reviewed 13 August 2026