Chilmark Pond Dredging: Progress Update

Major Milestones & Progress

We’re happy to share good news about the progress of dredging on Chilmark Pond. The project has continued to move forward, and important milestones have been met.

With the arrival of the larger DENOS6 dredge (this is possible because the pond is deeper than anticipated), progress has picked up significantly. At this point, the dredging is nearly 75% complete, and both channels have now been successfully dug to 5 - 6 feet in depth. The east - west channel has also been widened to approximately 60 feet, a major improvement that will enhance water flow and overall pond health.

As work moved westward along the east - west channel, the crew encountered more organic material than anticipated. Because of this, the spoils can no longer be placed on the beach in that area. Instead, clean sand will continue to be sourced from the north - south channel to keep the project moving efficiently and responsibly.

Aerial photo through the ice in December at Chilmark Pond, courtesy of Ollie Becker. Several channels have been created and sand has been removed that significantly reduces the chop to the west. The red arrow points to one of the channels in progress; deeper chanels and dredged areas appear darker than the surrounding sand shoals.

Google Earth image of the area before dredging taken on 3/21/24.

Equipment and Timeline:

Like any complex project, there have been a few mechanical hiccups along the way. A seal on the main dredge recently broke, so for the time being, the team will continue working with smaller Truxor machines. The crew will then pause for the holidays and return to the Island on January 5th, at which point full operations will resume. The remaining work is expected to take just a couple more weeks.

Looking ahead:

Perhaps most importantly, this project has been an invaluable learning experience. Every challenge and adjustment helps build a clearer understanding of what works best in Chilmark Pond, knowledge that will directly inform future dredging and restoration efforts.

Thank you for your continued interest and support as we work to protect and restore this vital ecosystem. We look forward to sharing the next update as we head into the final stretch!