After a stint on dry dock for routine maintenance, the Corps of Engineers' dustpan dredge Potter is back at work on the Mississippi and Illinois rivers as part of the St. Louis District's mission to maintain a 9-foot navigable channel on those waterways.
During its time on dry dock, crews made repairs to the dredge's dustpan ladder, wheels, shafts, rudder, and hull, along with overhauls to the Potter's propulsion gearbox and keel coolers.
The 94-year-old dredge returned to work late last month on the Mississippi River near St. Louis, with its crew of 52 working around the clock in three watches.
"Initial surveys show the navigation channel is in better condition than we see in most years," said Lance Engle, dredging project manager for the St. Louis District, "so even with a later-than-normal start, I expect the Potter to keep pace with dredging demands.
"In addition to routine channel maintenance using the traditional side-casting pontoon pipeline, we plan to use the flex pipe for some assignments," Engle added, "allowing us to place dredged material in specific locations to help create temporary ephemeral island habitats."
According to the Corps, "ephemeral island habitats" are sand islands created from dredged material that erode over time. While in place, the islands provide habitat for both plants and wildlife.
Depending on project needs and current conditions, the Potter will either discharge material outside the navigation channel where the current carries it farther downstream or in specific locations where it piles up to create temporary habitats.
Last year, the Potter removed about 4.7 million cubic yards of river sand from 36 locations along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers.
