Despite predictions the Town of Cobourg would be starting the annual spring maintenance at the entrance to the Cobourg harbour, boat launch and the inner harbour would start on April 23, the preparations are still underway.
There have been a few glitches along with the way along with the sudden resignation of the operator Ross Dudley who has operated the Marie Dressler since it was purchased by the Town of Cobourg.
At the helm currently is Marina Manager Paul Gauthier and it is anticipated dredging will be starting any day.
Because of the depth of the entrance the Coast Guard cutter is not able to make it inside the harbour.
The dredging is expected to continue for approximately four weeks.
Each year a significant amount of sediment is carried along the north shore of Lake Ontario by waves and currents and deposited at the mouth of the harbour and within the harbour itself. This sediment can accumulate in amounts that make safe navigation an issue for recreational boats as well as the coast guard vessel which is stationed in Cobourg Harbour each summer. In order to keep the harbour safe for navigation the Town of Cobourg must perform annual maintenance dredging.
Dredging is an excavation activity where sediments are gathered up from the bottom of the lake and deposited at different locations. This year the sediment will be re-deposited onto the beach, a technique used to proactively keep our waterline back and potential sand erosion to a minimum.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
