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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.

Note: In July 2021, USACE began the Phase 2 dike project to expand 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 is not being performed while construction is underway. As a result, PID monitoring and turbidity monitoring are on hold. Real-time air monitoring continues in temporary locations off dike at onsite northeast and southeast stations using the M1 and M2 monitors (AM1 and AM2). The M3 and M4 monitors are not operating during dike expansion. Ambient air monitoring continues in one southwest location off dike (CON-SOUTH) and at the school. Dredging activities are anticipated to resume in 2024. More information »

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
Naphthalene
Real-time monitoring data for VOCs from four UV‑DOAS monitors
Dock Area PID
Photoionization detector (PID) data to monitor VOCs when barges are located at the CDF
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.