Wellfleet Officials Hope New Federal Money Bodes Well For Harbor Dredging Project

Photo courtesy: Wellfletet SPAT
A lack of dredging has made Wellfleet Harbor nearly inaccessible at low tide

WELLFLEET – Town officials in Wellfleet are hoping recent some new federal funding announced last week bodes well for the planned Harbor dredging project.

Congressman Bill Keating helped secure $150,000 from the Army Corps of Engineers to dredge the Federal Channel at the Harbor. That will be a central component of the overall $13 million dollar project, as the federal work needs to be completed to clear the way for the state and local portion of the dredging.

The Army Corps of Engineers is accepting public comment through Friday.

“We hope to be in the pipeline for the federal job in fiscal year 2018,” said Michael Flanagan, the Wellfleet Harbormaster.

It’s been about 15 years since the Harbor was last dredged.

“Every day [the harbor] fills in a little bit more,” said Michael Flanagan, the Wellfleet Harbormaster. “Right now we’re restricted for two hours either side of low tide where you can’t transit anywhere in the harbor.”

Wellfleet selectmen approved the work last year, which will result in the dredging of 38 acres to a depth of six feet below mean low water.

“The dredging of Wellfleet Harbor is key to the economic viability of the Town of Wellfleet and all of the communities on the Outer Cape who utilize its harbor,” Keating said.