Barnstable County’s dredge vessel Sand Shifter has resumed operations in the Parker’s River Approach Channel in Yarmouth following a weather-related pause caused by high winds and extreme cold temperatures.
Dredging restarted this week after several weeks of delay, with crews taking advantage of a brief window of favorable conditions.
The current scope of work focuses on clearing shoaling between the jetties and along the southern portion of the channel.
Sand removed from the channel is being placed on Seagull Beach as part of ongoing beach renourishment efforts.
This project represents the first of two planned dredging efforts in Yarmouth. Once work in the Parker’s River Approach Channel is complete, the dredge team will move on to scheduled projects in Chatham and Harwich.
The County’s other dredge, Cod Fish II, remains frozen in place on the north side of Sesuit Harbor in Dennis.
The U.S. Coast Guard will arrive early next week to assist with icebreaking operations, allowing the dredge to return to service.