Harkers Island, NC – Next Generation Logistics has completed the dredging from Back Sound to Lookout Bight. This project was a major collaborative effort between the National Park Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Carteret County Government. It was greatly supported by the state of North Carolina, as well as by Congressman Greg Murphy and Senator Thom Tillis.
The completion of this project greatly improves access to Barden Inlet and the Cape Lookout Bight. The channel between Harkers Island and the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, including Barden’s Inlet and “the drain” has been substantially improved. This channel is now one hundred feet wide, with depths ranging from seven to nine feet. Once final surveys are completed, it is expected that the United States Coast Guard will re-introduce navigational aids marking the channel.
In addition to the opening of this channel, dredge sand has been used to substantially renourish the area of beach directly in front of the Cape Lookout Lighthouse. Approximately 30,000 cubic yards of dredge sand were emplaced there, creating a wide and deep beachfront. Additional dredge sand has been emplaced on Sandbag Island (also known as, “bird island”) just southeast of Harkers Island.
While the dredging operations have completed, the process of demobilization continues. Over the coming weeks, Next Generation Logistics will continue to remove dredge equipment, supporting vehicles and other supplies from the area. Areas of Harkers Island that had been dedicated toward supporting dredge operations will slowly be returned to their former uses.
Regarding the completion of this dredging, Cape Lookout Superintendent Jeff West said, “I am very happy that we can support safe and accessible waterways at Cape Lookout National Seashore. This project has greatly improved access to the park for ferry services, local businesses, and public boaters. The use of dredge sands to expand and protect the lighthouse beach will be greatly beneficial for years to come.”
“We're proud to be the local partner in this collaborative effort with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and National Park Service to complete the Back Sound to Lookout Bight dredging project," said Jimmy Farrington, Chairman of the Carteret County Board of Commissioners. "This project is a significant win for Carteret County, improving access to Barden Inlet and the Cape Lookout Bight by providing safer, more reliable waterways for navigation. This channel is critical for many private and commercial users, and its improvement has a direct economic impact on our community."
“Working closely with NC Wildlife Resources Commission (who manages Sandbag Island) and the other resource agencies, the Corps is proud to have helped reestablish a nearly lost nesting and foraging island for our states’ shorebirds” said Bret Walters, USACE Wilmington District Planning and Environmental Branch Chief. Walters went on to say, “the Corps looks forward to continued work with partners to beneficially use dredged material in the enhancement of coastal habitats for coastline protection, public recreation, and the conservation of our shared natural resources into the future.”
###