U.S. Army Corps Dredging River Sand

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, recently awarded a contract to Brennan Marine, out of La Crosse, Wisconsin, to move dredged river sand near Wabasha.

The St. Paul District awarded a $9.1 million contract to Brennan Marine Sept. 29, to move 325,000 cubic yards of sand from the Corps’ Grand Encampment site to a permanent upland placement area near the Zumbro River Flats area, located south of Wabasha.

Corps officials anticipate that the work will begin next spring.

The contractor will have two years to complete the project. 

Once complete, the work will free up future temporary storage space at the placement site to ensure the St. Paul District can continue maintaining the Mississippi River 9-foot navigation channel.

The beneficial use of the dredged river sand at the upland site will also support the Corps’ concept of engineering with nature by converting the area into sand prairie and dune habitat like the nearby Weaver Dunes.