Philadelphia, PA -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Philadelphia District shared an update regarding activity and operations at the Delaware City Dredged Material Disposal Area (located adjacent to the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal in New Castle County, Delaware).
USACE is currently working through steps to prepare the site to accept dredged sediment from the Delaware River federal channel (dredging operations/placement activities are currently anticipated to take place in Summer 2025).
Preparations include the continued removal of vegetation; draining water from the site; and the rebuilding of interior dikes. USACE is also working with a subcontractor to relocate fish from the site to a publicly accessible pond located on the north side of the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal just east of the Railroad Bridge. Fish relocation activities are expected to take place between June 9 and June 20, 2025, depending on weather and conditions. Following the fish relocation activities, the water level of the pond will be reduced.
The bike trail will remain open throughout the duration of the dredging project. A pipe will be placed across the trail to pump the dredged material into the facility; however, a ramp will be placed over the pipe to facilitate use of the trail during construction.
USACE finalized an Environmental Assessment that evaluated dredged material disposal alternatives that address capacity needs for the operation and maintenance of the Delaware River, Philadelphia to the Sea navigation channel and Chesapeake and Delaware Canal navigation channel.
Release no. 25-007