The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says work will begin in the next few weeks to move nearly
450,000 cubic yards of river sand from a temporary storage site on Corps Island near Welch to a permanent upland location.
Contractor L.S. Marine of Inver Grove Heights will begin unloading the sand at Lock and Dam 3 in mid-August, where it will be moved onto trucks.
The project is expected to continue through October of next year.
During construction, Corps Island will be closed to the public, but the surrounding water will remain open. Officials say tow boats and barges will be operating in the area, and they’re reminding boaters to use caution, obey posted safety signs, and wear life jackets.
The Corps says moving the sand will make room for future dredging needed to maintain the Mississippi River’s 9-foot navigation channel. That channel supports commercial shipping between Minneapolis and Guttenberg, Iowa.
Last year alone, more than 5.6 million tons of cargo—including corn, soybeans, fertilizer, and cement—moved through Lock and Dam 3 near Welch.
A link for more information about Lock and Dam 3 can be found in this report on KDWA.com.
[Click the soundbite to listen to the report.]