Alligator Creek Maintenance Dredge

Project Description

The objective of the project is to construct a maintenance dredge event along portions of the Alligator Creek access channel and main channel of the north branch. We must enter a design phase with an engineering firm first, to design, permit and included bid process assistance and construction oversight of the dredge event. This work has been requested by the MSBU Waterway Advisory Board and will be fund by the same. Since the last dredge event in 2017 and a small spot dredge of access channel in 2019, new concern has been brought to the Advisory Board and the county prompting the initiation of this contract. The channel was last surveyed in 2021 and those bathymetric results were reviewed with the AB. Those results and current allowable budget were the basis for the locations that are proposed for the future dredge event. This project is targeting shoaled in sediment above -6' @ Mean Low Water from the access channel inland north of the marina approximately 9300' of project limits and targeting roughly 3400 cubic yards of material. This project will restore depth and width of the navigated channel.

Project Location

Project Impacts

Latest Updates

Dredge design project - Coastal Engineering has submitted permit applications to agencies for the proposed dredge project, recently receiving the FDEP permit. We still await response from ACOE. They recently submitted another request for update permit status but have not received a response yet. Florida Division of Emergency management has taken over the hurricane waterway debris removal effort and has reported to have completed the removal of debris within the Alligator Creek channel. County staff has initiated a post-storm bathymetric survey project of many MSBU maintained waterways and this includes Alligator Creek. A firm was recently selected, and field surveys are completed and the deliverables were just received and are currently under review. Hurricane Ian impacts will be quantified and reported and submitted to FEMA if they qualify and the project plan will be adjusted to include new shoaling.

Update on January 31, 2025:  The project is delayed due to the backlog of permit applications at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).  Another request was sent, on November 20, for an update as to when the permitt will be reviewed.  However, we are planning to apply under an emergency permit window due to Hurricane Milton that closes April 14, 2024.  A proposal has been submitted from Coastal Engineering Consultants to complete a new survey to determine if any changes were caused by Milton.  

Update on March 28, 2025:  The permit required by the USACE has been approved.  A proposal has been submitted by Coastal Engineering Consultants to re-survey the waterway for any significant changes due to Hurricane Milton.  If none, the plans will be finalized for taking bids at a date yet to be determined.

Update on April 11, 2025:  Coastal Engineering Consultants will be obtaining a new survey, soon, to check for any changes due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton.  A report shall be prepared for a FEMA claim if sufficient shoaling has occured to justify the effort.  The plans for dredging will also be finalized.    

Update on May 9, 2025:  Coastal Engineering Consultants has completed the new survey.  Public Works staff is awaiting a draft copy for review.  An analysis will be performed to determine if sufficient volume of shoaling due to Hurrican Milton is present.  If so, a claim shall be submitted to FEMA.  Plans will be prepared for the dredging project.

Update on July 2, 2025:  The latest survey has been reviewed by Public Works staff.  This survey indicates 9,467 cubic yards in the dredge template along the entire 15,900-foot length.  An Engineering Assessment Report prepared by Coastal Engineering Consultants in support of a FEMA claim for Milton indicates there is 2,398 cubic yards in the channel due to Helene and/or Milton.  Also, we will move ahead with preparing plans for dredging.  

Schedule