What is Dredging?

Dredging is the removal of sediments, from years of industrial waste, surface runoff, sewage from rogue connections, and shipping waste from the river bottom.

Why is Dredging Necessary?

There are both economic and environmental repercussions to dredging.


Economic- By expanding the river bottom 15 feet, via removing built-up sediments, ships that use the River as a passage, such as Cargo ships from South and Central America will be able to carry full loads; compared to the 70% capacity the depth of the river now allows. Maintenance dredging is recommended by the Army Corps to expand ship navigation.

Environmental- Removing the sediment build-up from the bottom of the river will prevent these toxins, such as industrial waste and sewage runoff, from being flushed into Biscayne Bay. This prevents the damage of sea grass and other marine life. The sediments, which empty into the river from over 69 square miles of urban and industrialized areas, could then end up in our oceans after leaving the river.

How Will the Dredging Affect the Environment?

With the removal of sediments that are lining the river bed, it will decrease the chances that these sediments will end up in Biscayne Bay. The river is also being cleaned enormously through this project. Already refrigerators, shoes and other debris are being taken out of the river, after years of lying on the bottom.

When Will the Dredging Take Place?

Dredging of the Miami River has already commenced. The opening ceremony to the project was held on October 27th 2004 at the Air Marine Terminals at 10 a.m. The project is expected to take 4 years to complete, terminating when an the river depth is expanded to a depth of 15 feet, allowing ships to come into Miami without waiting for high tides. According to some the project is expected to produce $100 million in additional revenue for shippers and river related companies over the next 20 years. 

For more information go to: The Miami River Commission – www.miamirivercommission.org/dredge