US Army Corps of Engineers Dredges Approximately 5,000 Cubic Yards at Ocean City Inlet

en.Wedoany.com Reported - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Baltimore District plans to remove approximately 5,000 cubic yards of dredged material from the Ocean City Inlet starting July 22, 2026.

This maintenance dredging, executed by the dredge Murden, will focus on typical priority areas within the federal navigation channel. It marks the second round of dredging operations at the inlet this year, expected to last approximately 15 days and be completed before the start of the White Marlin Open.

The Murden can carry material equivalent to the capacity of up to 50 dump trucks and will discharge it through a split hull in authorized areas. The dredged material will be placed at a nearshore placement site along Assateague Island to mitigate the effects of sediment transport and erosion.

Col. Francis Pera, commander of the Baltimore District, stated that ensuring the Ocean City Inlet remains navigable is critical to the region's safety and economic resilience. By initiating the second round of dredging, navigable waters are maintained to support local commercial vessels, recreational boats, and U.S. Coast Guard lifesaving missions.

The Murden previously dredged the first priority area in early May 2026, including the entrance to the Sinepuxent Channel and a secondary area directly adjacent to the seaward side outside the channel. The previous operation removed 5,020 cubic yards of material from the inlet and 20,450 cubic yards from the borrow area, both successfully placed at the nearshore placement site on Assateague Island.