New Orleans – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently completed a year-long process to improve access in the Calcasieu Channel. This work involved two dredge contracts and multiple funding sources to complete improvements to approximately 30 miles of the important industrial and leisure waterways leading to Lake Charles Port, the 11
th largest port in the United States.
As of June 1, 2009, Lake Charles Pilots have officially increased the maximum draft to fully operational 40-feet throughout the Calcasieu Ship Channel. This is the first time since before Hurricane Rita that the channel users have been operating at full draft.
Pilots on this busy channel that connects Lake Charles to the Gulf of Mexico had been operating at a 1-foot reduced draft since before Hurricane Rita due to deteriorated channel conditions and concerns over navigation safety. After the double blow of Tropical Storm Edouard and Hurricane Ike in 2008 caused additional shoaling in the channel, the Lake Charles Pilots were forced to reduce the draft by another foot, thereby operating at a 2-foot draft restriction, or 38-feet.
The Corps awarded a contract to Mike Hooks, Inc. for dredging extending from mile 17 to 29.5 in May 2008. This dredging began in July and was completed this last April. The Corps also awarded a second dredge contract for the Bar Channel to Manson Gulf in November of 2008. Dredging of the Bar Channel began on February 1, and was completed May 7.
These contracts were paid for through a combination of the $13.6 million regular operation and maintenance funds and $40 million supplemental funds appropriated following Hurricane Ike. Additionally, the Calcasieu Ship Channel will receive $13.8 million as part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) funds. These funds will be used to purchase miscellaneous items for the Calcasieu River Saltwater Barrier structure ($90k), surveys and borings ($750k), disposal area maintenance ($3M), and construction of a rock foreshore protection dike ($10M).
Release no. 09-092