Dredging Waterways Keep Ag Goods Moving

Dredging waterways is a critical part of maintaining U.S. agricultural transportation infrastructure. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says dredging is the reason the Lower Mississippi River was open during the historic low water levels last fall. Undoubtedly, dredges keep U.S. River systems moving, safe and reliable.

Currently, more than 70 different locations are being dredged along 300 miles of the St. Louis District using seven dredges. Together, the effort will move 9 million cubic yards of material. For perspective, an average of 3 to 4 million cubic yards is moved in any given year. Substantial spring flooding marked the impetus for the increased work this year, though it’s important to know the purpose of dredging is for enhanced navigation, not flood control.

Read more on the role dredging plays in moving U.S. ag commodities here.