The proposed project involves the maintenance dredging of the Congressionally-authorized Saco River Federal Navigation Project (FNP) in Saco & Biddeford, ME. The authorized project provides for a navigation channel 8 feet deep below mean lower low water (MLLW) from the sea to the head of navigation at Saco and Biddeford city centers, a distance of about 6 miles, with channel widths as follows: 140 feet across the bar, 200 feet in the lower section between the jetties, 140 feet in the middle section, and 100 feet in the upper section. Three anchorages in the lower section provide a total of approximately 10.5 acres of berthing while a 10-acre maneuvering basin at the head of navigation, all to a depth of 6 feet. 

Approximately 110,000 cubic yards of fine grain sand and silt will be dredged from the channel, anchorages, and turning basin to bring the project back to its authorized depth.  Dredged material from the head of navigation, near the city centers of Biddeford and Saco, will be placed at a previously used deep in-river disposal site about 1.25 miles south of the dredge area.  While material from the mouth of the Saco river will be dredge by hydraulic cutterhead and piped directly to Camp Ellis beach where it will be used beneficially.

Updated November 9, 2018