Dredging will take place at Channel Islands Harbor this year as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Los Angeles District, in coordination with the County of Ventura, returns to complete scheduled maintenance dredging at the harbor.

Dredge operators will return in October 2026, with staging of equipment taking place. Dredging operations are expected to begin in November 2026 and continue through the end of February 2027.

This will mark the third consecutive year of dredging operations at Channel Islands Harbor. Dredging typically occurs on a biennial basis within an October-to-March environmental window. However, in 2024, permitting, weather and operational issues prevented the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from completing the amount of dredging originally planned. As a result, dredging operations resumed in 2025 to address the remaining work.

Following the completion of the 2026–27 dredging cycle, the harbor is expected to return to its biennial dredging schedule.

USACE has conducted routine maintenance dredging at Channel Islands Harbor since the 1960s. This ongoing work helps maintain navigable waterways within the harbor while also providing an important benefit to downcoast beaches.

What to Expect

Manson Construction of Seattle, USACE’s contractor, will carry out the dredging work.

The project is a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week operation. While dredging itself will continue around the clock, the use of heavy equipment on Silver Strand Beach will be limited to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Residents and visitors may notice increased activity in and around the harbor as equipment is brought in and staging areas are prepared ahead of the start of operations.

Dredging is currently scheduled to continue through February 2027.

Where Does the Dredged Material Go?

Dredged material is hydraulically pumped from Channel Islands Harbor and transported approximately one mile south to Hueneme Beach, where beach-quality material is placed along the shoreline.

This placement helps provide shoreline protection to downcoast beaches, making the project an important part of maintaining both the harbor and the surrounding coastal environment.

Holiday Operations

The contractor may temporarily shut down dredging operations during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

During these holiday breaks, a portable generator will provide continuous power to critical systems, while a small crew will remain on site to monitor the equipment and maintain the project area.