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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Louisville District, has begun annual channel maintenance dredging on the Ohio River, which will likely include maintenance dredging at Evansville Bend at Ohio River Mile 792 near Evansville, Indiana.
USACE typically dredges at the Evansville location annually, and in the past the sediment from dredging has been placed in a way that creates a sand bar.
Depending on the amount of dredged material available and other factors, dredging operations could potentially form a sand bar again this year. The sand bar has become an attraction for recreation within the Evansville community.
“USACE is pleased that this beneficial use of the dredged material has become a valued amenity, and we need the community’s help to ensure that this can continue,” said Shawn Kenney , Louisville District Technical Support Branch chief.
USACE said that they can dispose of the dredged material below the water surface such that no sand bar is created, if needed to protect the environment and to mitigate risks to public safety.
A previous incident in 2022 involving a camper that was abandoned on the sand bar is an illustrative example of the types of violations which could lead to the loss of the recreational amenity.