By Kiera Morgan
The port of Toledo announced some good news headed their way this summer. The Army Corps of Engineers has been allocated $3.75 million dollars for the maintenance dredging of Depoe Slough, which goes right into downtown Toledo. This means there will be a mechanical dredge that will remove about 45,000 cubic yards of material. According to Port of Toledo general manager Bud Shoemake this work is scheduled to be done some time between July 1st and October 31st.
He said the port is very pleased about the dredging but has asked that it not take place during a certain time of year, when they are doing their Wooden Boat Show. The corps will be going out to bid in April. Depoe Slough area is usually on a 10-year dredging rotation and it has been 5-years since the last dredging so Shoemake said that is good news for Yaquina Boat works and their operations there. He thanked the congressional delegation for pushing this dredging through early and advocating for the funding to get it done. Residents and visitors will be able to see the large dredge at Depoe Slough sometime this summer.
