The State Road Canal Dredging project at the intersection of the Weeki Wachee River began last week. Dredging equipment will be stored at Rogers Park (7244 Shoal Line Boulevard, Weeki Wachee, FL 34607). The county has temporarily closed the park beginning June 15th for safety concerns. They anticipate that the park will remain closed for four to five weeks.
The project was scheduled during the summer months so as not to disturb the manatees’ winter migration to the warm waters of the Weeki Wachee River.
According to local resident and Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Mike Fulford, the river is open, but he advises boaters to proceed with caution around the dredge and work boats.
Fulford, a professional engineer described how the dredging works, “The silty material is suctioned and then pumped via a pipeline to a dewatering site where the material is tested for contaminants and possible re-use at a different location in need of this type of material.”
The intersection of State Road Canal and the Weeki Wachee River was last dredged in 2012. Gator Dredging removed 2000 cubic yards of silted sand. Since then, sand has once again accumulated in the canal which has restricted navigation by area boaters.
