Project Description
It is the intent of Charlotte County to hire a professional engineering firm to provide all required tasks in support of the subject project as requested by the Manchester Waterway MSBU Advisory Board. The project limits shall include the exterior and interior areas of various channels as indicated on the map attached under the Supporting Materials section below.
The total length of all channel segments involved with the current project is approximately 7,000 feet. The exterior channel template has a width of 60 feet and the respective templates for each of the interior channels have a width of 20 feet. All channels have a permitted depth of -6.2 feet NAVD88 (-5.0 feet MLW). The target depth for the current project shall also be -5.0 feet MLW.
All areas indicated on the map have experienced various amounts of infill/shoaling due to multiple storm events. The last project to dredge various interior channels and the exterior channel was completed in 2020. The bids for a project in 2023 to spot dredge the interior at three locations was rejected due to budget constraints. The upcoming project shall address these same three locations plus others, all as indicated on the attached map.
A survey of the exterior channel was performed in September 2025 (pre-Helene). Therefore, an updated survey shall also be included (all of the exterior and spot surveys, only, for the indicated interior sections) as part of the scope for the present project.
Project Schedule: To be developed after the engineering consultant is hired (September-October 2025).
Project Budget: Will be updated after a new survey is performed under the engineering contract.
Project Location
The west side of Alligator Bay which is on the north side of Charlotte Harbor. Lewis Creek is the entrance to both the Ackerman and Manchester Waterway MSBUs.
Project Impacts
Improved and safer navigation.Latest Updates
Update June 2, 2026: Aptim has completed surveys and started on the design for the maintenance dredge
Budget
| Phase | Cost |
|---|---|
| Engineering | $75,000 |
Manchester Waterway MSBU
Ackerman Waterway MSBU (the entrance - Lewis Creek, only)
Potential FEMA claims for Hurricane Milton (yet to be determined)
Supporting Materials
Project Phase
Design Development
Last Updated
07/14/2026
Project Manager
Michael Benjamin
Public Relations
Chad Ray
Email Public Relations
Sponsor Department
Public Works Engineering
Design Engineer/Architect
Aptim
Construction Contractor
TBD