USACE Buffalo District completes $13M Dunkirk Harbor breakwater rehabilitation

USACE Buffalo District completed repairs to Dunkirk Harbor’s outer breakwater Oct. 19, strengthening protection against Lake Erie’s powerful waves and ice. Originally constructed in 1931, the outer breakwater serves as a protective barrier between the open waters of Lake Erie and Dunkirk Harbor. Over time, wave action and seasonal ice contributed to the deterioration of the structure, creating a need for significant rehabilitation. The project was completed in two phases by the Corps of Engineers’ Michigan-based contractor, Great Lakes Dock and Materials. The first phase addressed approximately 1,850 linear feet of the breakwater under an $8.5 million contract, partially funded through congressionally directed spending. The second phase addressed the remaining 450 linear feet under a $4.5 million contract funded through the fiscal year 2025 workplan.

Construction included placing a stone overlay, known as a rubble mound, along the lakeside of the breakwater, raising its crest elevation two feet above the original design and reinforcing the eastern end of the structure. Throughout the project, the Buffalo District coordinated with the U.S. Coast Guard, City of Dunkirk and local stakeholders, including marinas and yacht clubs, to keep the community informed and minimize disruptions to harbor navigation. The rehabilitation is part of the Corps of Engineers' broader effort to improve the condition and reliability of navigation infrastructure throughout the Great Lakes Navigation System.