The scoop on dredging
Dredging may not sound very exciting, but under the surface it does a lot for our economy and environment.
Dredging cleans out the Redwood Creek Channel by scooping out mud, weeds and silt that collect over time. Left undone, the channel would eventually fill up and close.
Having a wider, deeper and longer channel allows larger cargo vessels to come and go from the Port with full loads, which is important to our economy and environment. In fact, just one full cargo ship alone can reduce up to 2,500 local truck trips on our nearby roads and highways.
There’s a public safety benefit, too. The Port of Redwood City is a designated FEMA Federal Staging Area and could be activated during an emergency to move people and supplies. A clear channel ensures the Port is always ready to answer the call should disaster strike.
Still not digging it?
If the economic and environmental benefits aren’t enough to get you excited about dredging, consider the recreational impacts. By keeping up with dredging efforts, the channel remains open and clear for public recreational uses like canoeing, kayaking, fishing and enjoying our local flora and fauna along the waterfront.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for the channel clearance and invested $8 million in 2019 to dredge it to 30-feet deep. The Port invested $2 million in 2018 to dredge its berths to 34-feet deep, allowing larger vessels to dock.
Dig a little deeper
>> Learn more about the Port’s dredging program
here
.