New Buffalo Channel HYDRO Survey

In conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ data, Spicer Group provided a hydrographic survey starting at the City of New Buffalo boat launch located on the Galien River.  It continued through the Federal Channel within the New Buffalo Harbor and Marina, and extended out approximately 800 feet past the breakwall into Lake Michigan. 

The project included a pre-dredge overall depth contour map of the entire project length along with a post-dredge survey of the dredged areas to show final determinations of the total material removed from the river and channel bottom.

Before the dredging, the channel had many shallow spots and was uneven. The contour maps derived by pre-and post-dredge surveys were able to show the difference the dredging made in many areas and also how the channel became much more consistent and therefore much safer for boating.