The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ dredging project at Lake Montauk Harbor in the Town of East Hampton is set to begin. The dredge and supporting equipment have arrived in Montauk, marking the start of active mobilization.
The project will restore safe navigation in the inlet and place sand on the beaches west of the western jetty as part of the dredge material placement plan. Dredging operations are expected to continue through January 2026.
The municipal parking lot on West Lake Drive near the western jetty is closed for the duration of the project, and temporary beach closures may occur during sand placement. The U.S. Coast Guard advises mariners to use caution and operate at the slowest safe speed to avoid wake near dredging equipment.
This project moves forward thanks to the Town of East Hampton’s action earlier this year to fill a federal funding gap that threatened to delay or cancel the work. When bids came in higher than expected, the town committed $1.1 million from its Host Community Agreement with South Fork Wind to ensure the dredge could proceed on schedule.
H & L Contracting LLC will conduct dredging operations in Lake Montauk Inlet through January 31, 2026. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New York District is overseeing the project, with H&L Contracting serving as the contractor.
Equipment on site will include the suction dredge Oyster Bay; a 144-foot-by-60-foot mechanical dredge deck/spud barge; a 30-foot-by-90-foot excavator barge; a 130-foot-by-40-foot Clyde bin wall barge; tugboats Uncle Bill and Manhasset Bay; and several skiffs, all monitoring VHF-FM Channels 16 and 65.
A discharge pipeline extending from the dredge to the disposal site will include submerged crossings. These will be clearly marked with red and green navigation aids and lights, as well as spar buoys with yellow flashing lights to indicate the pipeline’s path.
Mariners are advised to use caution and operate at slowest speed possible to avoid wake. Dredging Locations, (1st lat/long start of dredging area, 2nd lat/long end of the dredging area): Montauk Inlet 41-04- 45.43N, 071-56-17.51W; to 41-04-21.78N, 071-56-13.71W. Disposal site for the hydraulic cutter suction dredge: Sunset Beach 41-04-33.53N, 071-56-25.60W. Disposal site for mechanical dredging: Mattituck Reef 40-3-23.76N, 072-34-11.16W. One mooring Lake Montauk: 41-04-05.85N, 071-55-27.34W.
“Getting to this point has taken persistence and partnership at every level of government,” said Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez. “From my first meetings in 2014 to today’s mobilization, this project reflects the combined effort of so many, our federal and state partners, the Coast Guard, the commercial fishing community, and local residents who understand how critical this harbor is to Montauk’s identity and economy. Keeping this channel navigable means protecting jobs, ensuring safe access for emergency vessels, and preserving Montauk’s role as a working waterfront that serves the entire region.”
“Montauk’s harbor means a lot to the people who call this place home,” said Councilmember David Lys. “Our fishermen work hard every day, in tough conditions, to make a living and carry on a tradition that has been part of this community for generations. When we learned this project was in danger of being delayed, the town did not hesitate to step in and make sure it could move forward. We understood what it would mean for our fishing families if this work did not happen, and what it means now that it is. Montauk’s harbor sustains a way of life built on hard work, perseverance, and a deep connection to the water. I am grateful to the Army Corps, and all of our partners who worked with us to get this done for Montauk.”