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Indiana Harbor and Canal
Dredging and Disposal Project

Indiana Harbor and Canal
Dredging and Disposal Project

This project is designed to dredge and dispose of contaminated sediment from the Indiana Harbor and Canal safely and economically.

About the Project

Learn about the project and its history
Confined Disposal Facility

CDF construction and history
Dredging

How dredging works, schedule, traffic, and bridge operations
Air Quality

Learn about ambient and real-time air monitoring at the CDF
Water Quality

Learn about project measures to ensure water quality
Data

View and download the monitoring data

The Indiana Harbor and Canal (IHC) is located on Lake Michigan adjacent to the city of East Chicago, Indiana. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) constructed the Confined Disposal Facility (CDF) to store the contaminated sediment, and dredging began in 2012. Dredging begins each spring and continues through fall. Dredging will restore the efficiency of deep draft commercial navigation and prevent further pollution of Lake Michigan. In addition to providing storage for the dredged sediment, the CDF isolates and contains the existing on-site soil and groundwater contamination in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Dredging Update

USACE Chicago District Project Manager, Vaughn Coolman, makes a brief presentation on August 15, 2024, in East Chicago, Indiana at a public meeting about the upcoming Indiana Harbor Canal Dredging. [Source: USACE]

Contractor Roen Salvage Company of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin began dredging in September, with around-the-clock dredging of approximately 60,000 CY of sediment from the Federal channel and unloading it from barges to the Confined Disposal Facility located at 3500 Indianapolis Blvd in East Chicago. With safety as the number one priority, the dredged material is stored under two feet of water to minimize emissions of volatile contaminants and particulates (dust) to the environment. Real-time particulate air monitoring during dredging is available on the Particulates Data page of this website.

As District Commander COL Ken Rockwell stated at a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony at the facility, the navigational dredging to support economic activity at the harbor and canal is also providing environmental benefits from removing and safely containing these contaminants from the waterway.

The Phase 2 CDF dike expansion was completed in June 2024. The project expanded the CDF exterior dikes by 11 feet to maintain sufficient storage capacity for the intended project life, consistent with the original project authorization and plan. Dredging activities resumed in September 2024.

Monitoring Data

USACE is conducting an extensive air and water monitoring program at the CDF to protect workers, the environment, and the surrounding community.
Particulates
Real-time monitoring data from four particulate monitors
Ambient Air
Long-term air monitoring data for PAHs, VOCs, metals, TSP, and PCBs
Water Quality
Real-time, in-stream turbidity data to monitor water quality during dredging activities
About Us

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approximately 37,000 dedicated civilians and soldiers delivering engineering services to customers in more than 130 countries worldwide. With environmental sustainability as a guiding principle, the Corps works diligently to strengthen the Nation’s security. We are energizing the economy by dredging America’s waterways to support the movement of critical commodities and providing recreation opportunities at our campgrounds, lakes, and marinas. The Corps is also cleaning sites contaminated with hazardous, toxic, or radioactive waste and material in an effort to sustain the environment. Learn more »

Authorization

The existing federal navigation project at the Indiana Harbor and Canal was authorized by the River and Harbor Acts of 1910 and subsequent Acts of 1913, 1919, 1922, 1925, 1930, 1932, 1935, 1937, 1960 and 1965; Water Resources Development act of 1986 and 1996; Emergency Supplemental Apportions Act dated 12 May 2005.