Book Description

As a result of a hydrographic survey conducted in August of 1974, the New England Division determined that significant shoaling had occurred in the area opposite the outer tip of Sandy Point. This is a dynamic area characterized by fast moving currents and shifting sands. The controlling depth has been reduced to 2.2 feet at Mean Low Water. The project will be restored to a depth of 10 feet at Mean Low Water to accommodate the present navigational requirements. Preliminary estimates indicate the need to remove approximately 20,000 cy of material. This is approximately 1,600 feet of channel off the tip of Sandy Point. A Government sidecasting dredge will be used to restore that portion of the channel. The dredge hydraulically removes material from the bottom of the channel and pumps it through a sidecasting pipe directly overboard into the water approximately 80 feet off the side of the vessel. The sidecaster is a highly maneuverable craft and was designed to maintain relatively shallow channels in fast shoaling areas. Over the past four years a total of 198,670 cubic yards of material have been excavated by this method.